Dermatitis is essentially an allergic reaction that causes constant and irritating itching along with inflammation. Dermatitis for your dog can be incredibly frustrating and uncomfortable. As the itching can become persistent, it can affect their quality of life, their appetite and doesn't allow them to rest. On top of this, their skin becomes red, sore, and can become so troublesome that they can break the skin and cause infections. Below we discuss the more common types of skin conditions.
As the most common skin condition for pets, it's relatively known and also pretty straightforward. Essentially it is a result of an allergic reaction to fleas. More so the flea's saliva while they feed. The biggest downfall of this condition is your dog does not have to be infested with fleas to have this reaction. One or two fleas could create the problem all on their own. While there are short-term treatments you can find products like antibiotic creams, shampoos or steroids, the best treatment is prevention.
As the second most common skin condition for dogs, atopic dermatitis generally comes from dogs inhaling airborne substances like pollen, dust inside of the home, or any sensitive substance. The interesting thing is this condition is not so far from a human's reaction to the same things. NCBI explains, "Its clinical, immunological, histological and pathological features in dogs are so similar to the human counterpart, that canine atopic dermatitis has been suggested as an animal model for human AD." To simplify, there are many similarities in how our bodies and dogs react to these same airborne or ingested substances. While there is no cure, long-term management for this condition involves removing allergins, managing any infection and inflammation, and repairing the skin barriers.
Hot spots, also known as traumatic Pyodermatitis, can be a common condition in dogs and one that can be tough to help subside due to your dog's persistent chewing and licking of the spot. The American Kennel Club describes hot spots as" localized areas of skin inflammation and bacterial infection. Often a hot spot will begin as a small red area that owners may mistake for an insect bite. Unlike an insect bite, a hot spot will rapidly worsen and spread, developing into a hot, red, oozing, and painful lesion." Wounds can often become secondary bacterial infections, making treatment vital for your dog's overall health. Narrowing down the cause can be incredibly helpful.
Mange is repeatedly a skin condition we see in dog rescue videos online, making them look like their skin is covered in the crust. It can be pretty shocking to see for the first time, especially terrible cases
- Demodex: are interestingly found on all dogs but become worse if your dog has an abnormality in its immune system. This causes hair loss, skin damage, itching, and secondary bacterial infections.
Scabies: while not as common as Demodex, the outcome is much worse as it can become extremely itchy, which in turn causes the same skin conditions as Demodex.
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