Itchy skin is a common skin problems that dog’s have to deal with. It can be caused due to various reasons and needs to be treated appropriately. This article provides more information about the same.
The problem of itchy skin in dogs is caused due to different health issues. Diseases caused due to these problems can make it difficult in maintaining the skin and coat of your pet. This condition can also get quite troublesome for the dog if it is not treated appropriately. It is therefore essential to determine the cause of the itching and treat it so that the dog’s skin health can be restored. It can be caused due to allergies, bacterial or fungal infections, or due to the usage of an inappropriate skin product on the dog’s coat. It can also be a symptom of a number of canine skin diseases.
Causes
One of the most common causes is a type of skin allergy in dogs known as contact dermatitis. It is a result of the dog’s skin coming in contact with products like harsh shampoos and conditioners, detergents, plants, and perfumes or colognes. Other common causes include parasitic, bacterial, or fungal skin infections like mange, mites, or scabies, flea or tick infestations, dry skin, food allergies, and yeast infections. You may notice your dog scratching itself too frequently or licking or biting the skin. This can result in cuts and wounds on the skin along with bleeding. If this is not taken care of, it may also result in a skin infection that may be difficult to treat.
Treatment
Once the cause of the itchy skin is determined, treating it becomes a lot easier. For itchiness caused due to allergies, administering antihistamines may be helpful as a treatment. For other medical conditions, treating the disease causing the itching will be the only way to get rid of the problem. If it is caused due to food allergies, the food item causing the allergy should be discontinued immediately. Skin infections that cause the dog to itch must be treated in order to relieve it of the condition. Delay in treatment of skin infections can lead to other serious skin-related disorders.
Remedies
You can make use of the following remedies if your pet dog is suffering from itchy skin and other related problems.
Oatmeal
An oatmeal bath can be helpful in relieving your dog of the itching sensation. You can use the oatmeal to scrub off dry skin, and bathe the dog with it to soothe the skin and cure the condition quickly.
Aloe Vera
You can use aloe vera gel on the skin to soothe it and cure the condition. Apply some of the gel on the affected area twice a day, and make sure that your dog does not lick it away. Allow it to gradually soak into the skin.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has antiseptic properties that can help prevent skin infections and cure itchy skin. Apply some tea tree oil to the affected skin area and let it soak in.
Calendula Extract
A Calendula extract can be used for topical application on the dog’s skin. Apply a few drops of the extract to the coat and the affected areas to relieve the condition quickly.
Treating itchy skin is extremely essential to relieve your dog of the discomfort caused to it due to the same. It is also essential for the good overall health and fitness of your dog.
