Skin Infections in Dogs:

It is not unusual for dogs to suffer from minor skin rashes and allergies. Disorders like itchy and bumpy skin, canine acne, dandruff and lesions are among the most common dermatological problems that dogs are susceptible to. The most common cause of skin infection in canines is the staphylococci bacteria, which mostly affect the trunk. Typically, yellowish pustules appear on the dog’s skin that later turn rough and scaly and may cause local loss of hair. Parasites growing on the skin of the dog, allergens present in the immediate environment and abnormal functioning of the dog’s immune system are other factors that may lead to skin disorders in dogs. Young pups also suffer from ringworms, which is caused by fungal growth on the skin. The loss of hair in small, circular patches is the telltale sign of this condition. Since your pet cannot easily communicate to you minor discomforts, you should be observant as to whether your dog scratches or licks itself constantly or chews its paws. The appearance of moist, red “hot spots” on the dog’s skin may also indicate an allergic reaction to mold, dust, pollen, flea saliva and chemicals present in certain pet care products. If the condition is allergic in nature, your dog may also suffer from symptoms like sneezing, wheezing and discharge from the eyes and the nose. Unless the problem is persistent or recurrent, there is no need to worry. You may of course consult a vet and get medical tests done just to make sure that your dog is not suffering from any serious internal ailment.

These skin conditions can be treated through natural means at home in most cases. Make sure that you get rid of fleas that may be infesting your pet’s hair and skin. Give your dog a thorough bath with water and an antibiotic shampoo containing benzoyl peroxide. You should dry the dog’s skin and hair completely and then apply an antibiotic ointment on the lesions or the crusty patches. You may also give your dog a bath in a solution of colloidal oatmeal and lukewarm water in order to destroy germs on its skin and thereby relieve it of itching and irritation. Another means of treating skin conditions in canines is to grind two aspirin tablets in a tablespoon of alcohol, add a cup of warm water to this mixture, dip a tea bag in this solution and apply it locally on the itchy patches on the skin.

Skin Problems in Dogs:

Skin problems don’t limit themselves to affecting just humans; they can affect your pet canine too. In-fact they can be considered to be one of the most common health ailments among dogs. Fur loss, extremely dry skin, skin rashes, irritation, dull or dry coat, bumps or lumps under or on the skin, excessive scratching, scabby, scaly or red patches and itching are some of the signs that indicate your pet is suffering from a skin disorder. All in all, the condition and texture of a dogs coat and skin, can tell a lot about its general health. Conditions of this sort could range from being acute to being chronic. Diagnosing skin problems among dogs can be quite a challenge, simply because a large number of diseases tend to display similar symptoms. Thus, it is crucial to determine what the problem is exactly, so that the right kind of treatment can be administered.

Skin problems in dogs can be brought about by fungal or bacterial infections, allergies and parasites. Just like humans, dogs too can develop allergies to several things. Powder deodorizers, carpet cleaners, shampoos, food, grass, mold, dust and pollen are some of the more commonly known causes of skin allergies in dogs. A dog suffering from a skin allergy, may display one or more of the following symptoms; rashes, extremely itchy skin, constant scratching, rubbing of the face and chewing of paws. When it comes to allergies, the key lies in identify what the allergen is, so that it can be avoided altogether. Parasites such as mites, ticks and fleas also contribute to a large number of skin problems among dogs. These pests can cause severe irritation, and in order to gain relief, the dog begins to scratch itself constantly, which then leads to some other secondary infection. While fleas and ticks are easy to detect, mites on the other hand, being microscopic in nature, are a little more difficult to diagnose. Sarcoptic mange and demodex mange are two types of conditions that are caused by mites.

A bacterial infection is generally a secondary infection to some other condition while a fungal infection, such as ringworm, is caused by the fungi that reside in the nails, hair and dead skin tissue. To conclude, whatever the skin condition is, and however mild or serious it may be, it is important that medical care is sought immediately, so as to avoid any further complications.