Most Common Rashes For Dogs

It is likely that a dog will suffer from a skin rash at least once throughout its lifetime. While a skin rash on a dog may seem like no cause for concern, these rashes can be uncomfortable or even a sign of a larger health problem. This is why it is important for dog owners to correctly diagnose and treat a rash on their canine friend, in order to support the happiness and health of the animal.

Common Skin Rashes:

There are many reasons why a dog may break out in a rash. Some of these reasons include environmental allergies, parasites, immune-mediated disease, seborrhea, a yeast infection, and atopy, which is an allergy to pollen, mold, or dust mites.

Environmental Allergies: Environmental allergies are allergies to chemicals, like those in insecticides, household cleaners, or other cleaners, including shampoos. Rashes caused by these chemicals will appear red, raised, and will be irritating and itchy. These rashes can be treated by discontinuing the animals contact with the chemical and placing aloe vera or milk of magnesia on the rash.

Parasites: Fleas and mites can cause a dog to break out in a rash. Rashes caused by fleas or mites will appear to be made up of red pimple-like bumps. Rashes caused by fleas can be treated by simply purchasing a flea treatment from a veterinarian's office or convenience store. Rashes caused by mites can sometimes become very raw due to continuous scratching and can be treated by purchasing a prescription miticide from a veterinarian.

Immune-Mediated Disease: This disease first manifests itself in the form of a red, sunburn-like marking on a dog's nose. With time this rash will spread and cause sores to appear on the animal's skin. This rash must be treated by a veterinarian, who will diagnose the animal after performing a biopsy on the affected area. If the dog does in fact have immune-mediated disease, a corticosteroid will be prescribed to the animal. Additionally, dogs affected by this disease should be avoid direct sunlight unless their skin has been covered with sunscreen.

Seborrhea: Seborrhea is simply another way of saying that a dog has dandruff. Dandruff will make the dog's skin appear flaky or cause scabbing, and may also appear red and irritated. To treat this dandruff, owners should bath their dog at least once a week with a specialized dandruff shampoo and warm water. If the condition does not improve, more frequent bathing may be needed or the owner may want to experiment with shampoos containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or tea tree oil.

Yeast Infection: A yeast infection may have an odd or unpleasant order and will appear red, flaky, and scaly patches on the skin. To diagnose and treat a yeast infection, the dog will have to be brought to a veterinarian and will either be diagnose an oral medication use to treat fungus or be given a special shampoo to treat the infection.

Atopy: Atopy is when a dog is allergic to pollen, mold, or other common allergens. Rashes caused by these allergies will appear red, scaly, and will be itchy. While there is no permanent cure available, including vitamin C, fish oil, and flax oil in a dog's diet may help the dog. Additionally, milk of magnesia, aloe vera, or a baking soda and water mixture may help soothe the dog's skin.