Sores on Dog and Skin Allergy Symptoms
If you’ve seen your dog licking or chewing at their skin, you may wonder if they have a skin allergy. While there are many potential causes of skin allergies in dogs, one of the most common is an allergic reaction to something in their environment.
In this blog post, we’ll look at the symptoms of skin allergies in dogs and what you can do. So, keep reading for more information!
What are the most common symptoms of skin allergies in dogs?
An allergic reaction responds to an allergen like pollen, dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander (dead skin cells).
And the most common symptoms of skin allergies in dogs are itchiness, redness, hot spots and inflammation. It can also cause sores, hair loss, and even infections. And in many cases, the dog will react to more than one allergen at once.
And the reaction can be mild or severe, depending on your dog’s sensitivity to the allergen. Mild reactions may include sneezing or coughing; a more serious reaction could cause vomiting or diarrhea. Severe reactions can lead to anaphylaxis, which involves swelling of the lungs and other internal organs.
It’s also important to note that not all dogs with allergies have visible symptoms like itching or scratching. In fact, some dogs don’t show any signs of allergy at all! Also, remember that allergies aren’t always seasonal — some dogs may be allergic year-round while others only suffer during certain seasons.
How can you tell if your dog has a skin infection or allergy flare-up?
Skin infections and allergies can have similar symptoms, but there are also some major differences that you should be aware of.
The primary way of telling the difference is by looking at how long the symptoms have been going on. If they’ve been present for more than three weeks, it’s more likely that they are due to an allergy.
Some other ways to tell if your dog has an infection or an allergy flare-up include:
THE SEVERITY OF SYMPTOMS – If your dog is scratching or biting himself constantly, it’s probably due to an allergy. However, if your pup has a few spots that appear to be getting worse every day, it may be a skin infection.
LOCATION – Skin infections tend to occur in certain areas (such as an area with a break in the skin), while allergies tend to spread over most of your dog’s body.
TYPE OF HAIR LOSS – If your dog is losing patches of fur with no apparent cause, it could be an allergy flare-up or a different kind of skin condition (such as mange or folliculitis). But if his coat seems matted with little bald patches here and there, it could be seborrhea — a common condition in dogs that results from irritation caused by bacteria on the skin.
What are the best ways to treat skin allergies in dogs?
The first step is to determine what your dog is allergic to. If you suspect your dog is allergic to something specific, such as pollen or dust mites, stop exposing your dog to that substance and see if the symptoms improve. It may take several weeks to see results, but it’s worth waiting rather than using any medication without knowing what’s causing the problem.
If it’s food allergies, your veterinarian may recommend eliminating certain foods from your pet’s diet for several weeks and then reintroducing them one at a time until you find out which causes the reaction.
If you can’t pinpoint an exact cause for an allergy, your vet may prescribe medication designed to treat skin allergies in dogs. These medications can be given orally or applied topically (directly onto the skin). Some of these drugs include corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), immunomodulators (e.g., cyclosporine), and antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline).
Some veterinarians recommend combining multiple medications to reduce side effects while relieving symptoms. For example, prednisone combined with an antihistamine can reduce inflammation and itching while reducing the risk of side effects such as muscle weakness and weight loss associated with long-term use of corticosteroids.
Moreover, suppose your dog’s skin allergies are severe; your vet may suggest giving him oral steroids for several days rather than giving him a daily dose every 24 hours. This method allows your pet’s body time to rest between doses of medication, which helps prevent side effects such as stomach upset and weight gain.
Are there any home remedies for treating skin allergies?
On the other hand, If your dog’s allergies aren’t severe, you may consider trying natural treatments such as food changes, essential oils like lavender, or tea tree oil on your dog’s skin and possibly adding kefir to their diet.
For example, if he suddenly develops a rash after eating chicken or beef, try switching him to a different protein source such as lamb or turkey for two weeks and see if that helps clear up his symptoms. You can also try giving him essential fatty acids in fish oil capsules, which have been shown to help with some allergies.
In addition to these natural treatments, there are several over-the-counter treatments to prevent itching and dry skin caused by allergies:
Suppose your dog has very dry skin and is prone to scratching, you may want to try an over-the-counter antihistamine such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or chlorpheniramine maleate along with a moisturizer like petroleum jelly or coconut oil applied directly to the skin. This will help relieve itching as well as help heal any cuts he might get from scratching too much.
Over-the-counter antihistamines can also treat other allergies, such as food or environmental allergies. These medications prevent histamine release from the body’s mast cells, responsible for releasing histamine during an allergic reaction.
How can you help prevent your dog from developing skin allergies in the first place?
There are several things that you can do to help prevent your dog from developing skin allergies:
FEED A GOOD QUALITY DIET – Feeding a good quality diet will help ensure your pet gets all the nutrients he needs. A poor quality diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies, which could cause skin problems such as itchiness. If your dog has food allergies, switching to a different food brand may help alleviate the symptoms. And if you’re feeding a dry food diet, make sure it contains no corn or soy meal (common allergens). Also, avoid any “grain-free” foods unless they are certified gluten-free (some dogs can have an intolerance to grains that causes allergic reactions).
GIVE SUPPLEMENTS – Adding vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids to your dog’s diet may also benefit healthy skin and heal existing wounds or sores. You can give your pup these supplements either by adding them to his food or by giving them separately in pill form.
KEEP HIM GROOMED AND CLEAN – Keeping your pet’s coat clean and free from debris will reduce the number of allergens on his coat. Therefore, you should brush your dog at least once a week to remove loose hair and dead skin cells. Bathing your dog will also help remove excess oil from his skin, which could cause inflammation.
TAKE CARE WHEN CHOOSING GROOMING PRODUCTS – Certain grooming products can irritate your dog’s skin and cause allergic reactions, such as flea shampoos or de-shedding products containing pyrethrins or permethrins shampoos with strong perfumes or dyes. So, always check labels before using any product on your dog.
DOGS CAN DEVELOP SKIN ALLERGIES FOR MANY REASONS, INCLUDING CONTACT WITH AN ALLERGEN, A FOOD ALLERGY, OR AN ENVIRONMENTAL REACTION. THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS OF SKIN ALLERGIES IN DOGS ARE ITCHING, SCRATCHING, AND BITING AT THE AFFECTED AREA. IF YOUR DOG SHOWS ANY OF THESE SIGNS, IT’S CRUCIAL TO TAKE YOUR PET TO THE VET FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT.