Diagnosing And Treating Dog Skin Allergies

Allergic reactions in dogs usually manifest as digestive problems or dermatological irritation. Dog skin allergies come in various severities from patchy, scaly skin with hair falling out to slightly more than normal amounts of scratching.

When your dog exhibits a skin ailment, it's important to take him or her to the veterinarian. Some of these ailments are caused by parasites, and cannot be effectively treated without an anti-parasitic medications. If the vet diagnoses allergies, then your can start to treat for them.

Just because the effects show on the skin or coat does not mean that your dog was exposed to it that way. Some allergens are topical, such as rubbing on a bush that the dog is allergic to, but others are related to diet or environment. A dog that is allergic to his or her food may have dry, patchy skin or other dermatological symptoms.

Usually, the general treatment for dogs with allergic symptoms is to try and remove as many allergens from their lives as possible. Then, if the problem clears up, potential allergens can be re-introduced one at a time to find out what the problem is. The process usually starts with switching the dog to a low-allergen food, because like people, many dogs have wheat and other grain allergies, and many dog foods contain these products.

Removing fleas from your dog's environment is also important. Many dogs are allergic to flea bites, and while being treated with a preventative will prevent infestation, if there are fleas in the environment, they can bite the dog often enough to trigger a reaction. Treatments should still be used, but cleaning the home and treating it for fleas may also be required with sensitive dogs.

Air particulates such as dust and mites can elicit allergic reactions in some dogs. While usually this reaction is respiratory, it is worth eliminating them as much as possible from the environment of an allergic dog to see if they are the problem. Air purifiers are good, if you have or are willing to buy one, but cleaning is essential. This should include vacuuming and dusting with a dust-trapping cloth, at the very least.

If, after treating your dog with environmental and diet changes, the symptoms still don't resolve, you vet will sometimes prescribe medication such as an antihistamine to bring the problem under control. However, at this point, another careful review of everything your dog is exposed to should be done, just in case something was missed. Removing the allergen is always the best treatment, when possible.

Dog skin allergies are similar to human conditions of the same type, and are just as painful and itchy. If your vet gives you creams, bathing instructions, or medications to treat your dog's discomfort while you are attempting to figure out what allergen is causing the problem, remember to use them regularly, as instructed. Your dog will feel much better if you do.

I'm a dog health practitioner who specializes in treating dog allergies.