Is your dog constantly itching and scratching? Have you noticed any redness, flaky skin, or scabs while brushing? If so, he or she could be suffering from a skin disease called atopic dermatitis.
Atopic dermatitis, also called allergic dermatitis, is the most common cause of itching in dogs. Without treatment, it can be incredibly stressful for both you and your pet. The good news is that there are simple ways to relieve your pet’s symptoms and stress. Regular care can even help prevent crusty scabs or sores from forming.
What Causes Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs?
Atopic dermatitis generally presents as red, inflamed, itchy skin, as seen on this Pit Bull. @heeeyitstina
Canine atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease. In simple terms, it causes your dog’s immune system to overreact to allergens. Even normally harmless allergens like dust, house mites, and grass can cause problems. Because atopic dermatitis is a chronic disease, it won’t ever disappear, and symptoms will flare up periodically.
The skin works as an outer layer of protection against allergens. But when your dog experiences dermatitis, the skin breaks down. Excessive scratching and skin injuries can trigger more severe reactions. Sadly, the body’s natural immune response makes things even worse.
What can cause a flare up?
A number of substances can cause an allergic reaction in your dog. Some of them persist all year long, like mold, dust mites, and house dust. Others are more potent at certain times of the year, such as pollen. Unfortunately, with so many potential environmental allergens as well as food allergies which can trigger dermatitis, you may only be able to pinpoint the culprit(s) through allergy testing with your vet.
Breeds genetically predisposed to atopic dermatitis
Since atopic dermatitis can be inherited from a dog’s parents, some breeds are more likely to develop this allergic skin disease at some point in their lives, including:
- Golden and Labrador Retrievers
- Pit Bulls
- German Shepherds
- English Bulldogs
- Boxers
- Pugs
- Irish Setters
- Dalmatians
- West Highland White Terriers
- Wirehair Fox Terriers
- Boston Terriers
- Miniature Schnauzers
Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs
This crusty, inflamed patch on a Great Dane’s leg is an atopic dermatitis flare up. @gothams_big_girl
Symptoms generally start between one and five years of age. In some cases, symptoms may start off mild and remain unnoticed. Remember: Dogs will not “grow out” out of allergies. The only way to stop the discomfort is through treatment.
Here are a few of the most common clinical signs your dog may be suffering from atopic dermatitis:
- Constantly itching, scratching, biting
- Skin appears red or inflamed
- Frequent ear infections
- Frequent skin infections
- Runny-nose or eyes
- Gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea or mucus in stool
Is it atopic dermatitis or a flea allergy?
Atopic dermatitis and a flea allergy can present similarly, and sometimes even occur together (of course, keeping your dog on flea prevention consistently can prevent confusion over itching). However, with a flea allergy, itching is generally localized to the dog’s rump, tail, groin, and thighs. Atopic dermatitis can occur anywhere on the dog’s body, but most commonly appears on:
- Paws
- Face (especially the muzzle)
- Neck
- Ears
- Armpits
- Front legs and wrists
How to Remedy Your Dog’s Atopic Dermatitis
There are all sorts of treatments for atopic dermatitis: colloidal oatmeal baths, prescription medications, essential oils, and medicated shampoos — some dogs even undergo allergen specific immunotherapy.
We hear from people again and again that have tried everything with no lasting results or relief for their dog — until they try our all-natural products, that is. Skin Soother and Wrinkle Balm are both specially formulated with unique proprieties to treat dogs suffering from atopic dermatitis, as well as many other skin conditions.
Wrinkle Balm is designed to be gentle enough to use on the face and other sensitive areas, while Skin Soother is a much stronger formula to combat tougher issues in less sensitive regions. Combined with products like our Itchy Dog Shampoo or Sensitive Skin Shampoo, we’ve got a full arsenal of natural solutions for your dog’s atopic dermatitis!
Skin Soother: best for crusty, red, rashy skin
Skin Soother is a one-of-a-kind organic healing balm used to treat everything from rashes and burns to itchy, irritated skin. The magic is all thanks to the anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties packed inside. These carefully sourced ingredients work together to treat the underlying cause and promote a faster recovery with reduced visibility of scarring. Plus, the balm creates a layer of protection that helps keep out allergens.
Skin Soother can provide soothing relief for your dog’s atopic dermatitis and is best used on your dog’s armpits, legs and ankles, paws, and neck. It’s also an effective solution to hot spots, bacterial infections, dry skin, interdigital cysts, and much more!
Wrinkle Balm: best for sensitive areas
Wrinkle Balm is a gentler balm formula used to treat skin irritations impacting your dog’s most sensitive areas, including his or her face. While incredibly soothing and gentle, Wrinkle Balm is still strong enough to prevent and alleviate bacteria, crusty buildup, and environmental allergens.
Thanks to the gentle strength of Wrinkle Balm, it can be applied to your dog’s face folds, ears, genitals, and lips to soothe and treat issues without creating further irritation.
Real Results for Atopic Dermatitis
Ever since I moved into a more wooded area my dog has had red, inflamed, itchy skin. It became so bad that he began to bleed from scratching. I took him to his vet and they said it could be Atopic Dermatitis and had two options: give him a $50 pill every month or $150 injection. I decided to decline both and look up alternative ways instead of forcing steroids on him.
Skin Soother has been a BLESSING. My pup no longer has inflamed itchy skin and his fur is beginning to grow back! I will forever be a customer! — Paige and her Boxer mix, Nash
I went to the vet multiple times for Sadie’s dermatitis. Her skin kept getting more and more worse and became infected multiple times. We spent almost $2000 over 3 vet visits during a 3 month period and still her skin was still not fixed. We decided to try the Skin Soother, and within 3 days we saw a massive improvement—within a week her skin was completely clear! It’s been 3 months and her skin is still clear and doing great!
I would recommend this product to anyone having skin issues to give it a try! It’s all natural, very affordable, and easy to use! My dog would love when I put it on her! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! — Lauren and her Great Dane, Sadie
