Treating Skin Conditions In Dogs

Whether your dog is experiencing hot spots, allergies, dry skin, or infections, some of the most common symptoms are itchiness and scratching. It’s never easy seeing your best friend in such extreme discomfort, especially with scratching sometimes leading to bleeding and risk of infection. 

There are times when the root cause of the itching can be treated at home, but to discern whether the issue is serious or not we recommend first seeing your veterinarian to determine what kind of situation you are dealing with. Once you have a diagnosis, you can form a treatment plan with your veterinarian that either requires the use of medication or that relies more on home remedies, or a combination of both.

Some of the most common issues behind itchiness are parasitic bites, environmental or food based dermatitis, skin allergies and hives. Parasitic bites, or bites from fleas, mites, scabies and lice, can cause itching, scratching, red bumps, hair loss and skin inflammation. Your veterinarian may prescribe different topical treatments depending on the parasite, but these issues are usually easily treated with a full course of medication. To prevent further itchiness, it is important to get started with a flea and tick preventative.

If your dog gets skin irritation after being in contact with something in their environment, such as grass, dirt or plants, your veterinarian may prescribe or recommend an antihistamine medication and/or a cortisone cream. At home, it can be helpful to give your dog oatmeal baths to alleviate the itching and redness. 

Adding fish oil to your dog’s food or giving them fish oil capsules can introduce beneficial omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which have been shown to improve dogs’ skin health and reduce inflammation. It is best to check with your veterinarian about which fish oil product they recommend, but most vets recommend a product made with anchovies or sardines. Be cautious when using fish oil–it can cause stomach problems if given in high doses.

Dogs can sometimes have an allergic reaction to their food, although it is not a common issue. This typically presents in both a skin reaction and a gastrointestinal reaction, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Your veterinarian may recommend an elimination diet to find out what is triggering the allergic reaction so that the food can be avoided. Most commonly, dogs are allergic to proteins like chicken, beef, etc. They may prescribe a hypoallergenic or prescription diet paired with prescription medications and fish oil supplements. 

There are several dog breeds that are prone to skin allergies, such as Spaniels, Shar-Peis, American Bulldogs, Boxers, German Shepherds, etc. They may be allergic to dander, pollen, certain plants or insects, or something else that is seasonal. A dog with these kinds of allergies may have watery eyes and sneezing along with the common itchiness and rashes. 

As with other skin conditions, your veterinarian may recommend certain allergy medications. Some things that you can do at home are minimize your dog’s contact with whatever is causing their allergy flare ups, use medicated or hypoallergenic shampoo, use fish oil supplements, try a hypoallergenic diet and brush your dog regularly to increase blood flow.

Finally, if your dog ever gets itchy hives (yet another type of allergic reaction) that do not go away within 24 hours, the vet might prescribe glucocorticoids and antihistamines for treatment. At home, you can bathe your dog with hypoallergenic shampoo, and it can be beneficial to add a leave-in conditioner for extra hydration. Make sure your leave-in conditioner is safe and meant for dogs’ skin. 

Oatmeal can be used in a paste form (colloidal oatmeal) to alleviate the hives, or oatmeal shampoo can also bring relief for your dog. Some people believe that colloidal silver drops or sprays can soothe skin inflammation and help to heal skin infections, but be sure to do your research and check with your veterinarian before adding colloidal silver to your dog’s treatment plan–there is no conclusive evidence that colloidal silver is safe or effective for dogs. 

Do you have a unique or challenging story about your dog’s skin condition, or do you have a treatment method that worked great for your dog? Comment below to share what worked for you!