All breeds of canines are likely to suffer from dog skin allergies at least once in their lifetime. The usual signs of dog skin allergies are itchiness, skin lesions, sneezing, nasal and eye discharges, and stomach upsets. A lot of canine skin problems are caused by a certain type of allergy. It is important to know that allergies appear when your dog has hypersensitivity to certain allergens or allergy-causing substances. These allergens, also called antigens, can cause dog skin allergies no matter what breed and how old your pet is. The most common kind of allergy which dogs get is the flea allergy. Even just a single flea can already cause severe itching on your dog. He or she may become very restless and unable to focus no matter how much you convince him or her to. Thankfully, this allergy is seasonal because fleas disappear in winter. However, if you live in warmer regions, then this may be a year-round problem.
Another common canine skin problem is called atopic dermatitis or simply atopy. It happens when your dog inhales some particles like dust, pollens, and molds. Atopy can start at quite a young age so don't get surprised when your pup starts sneezing and itching when he or she could barely figure his or her way around the house yet. Thirdly, another common form of dog skin allergies is called contact allergy. This is when your dog reacts sensitively to chemicals found in carpets, flea collars, waxes, and soaps. Food allergies can also happen in dogs when they suffer from diarrhea and/or skin rashes after eating something that they are extra sensitive about.
Itching and Scratching from Skin Allergies
Finally, some dog skin allergies may be caused by insect bites and stings. Very much like human beings, pets also react differently towards a certain substance. Don't be shock when one of your dogs may be allergic to pollens but the other may not be. This is a very common scenario among multiple pet owners. Primarily, allergies are characterized by mild to severe itching. In some cases, the skin may look normal. However, in some, the skin may have red and moist spots or patches. These patches are also known as "hot spots." If the skin allergy is infected, the hot spots may have dry crusts and pus. Whenever your dog is suffering from an allergy, or a skin problem, you will notice that he or she tends to scratch and lick the affected area or areas a lot. Typically, when your pet has flea allergy, the back and the area near the tail are often affected. Meanwhile, when he or she has dust or pollen allergies, the face, chest, abdomen, and feet are commonly affected. Contact allergies usually manifest on the areas without hair like the abdomen and the bottoms of the feet. When you suspect that your pet has one of these dog skin allergies, it is important that you consult the vet quickly. The doctor will be able to diagnose the allergy properly as well as recommend the appropriate treatment for it. Although blood tests may be used to diagnose skin problems, vets can often tell the type of allergy just by their appearance.
