Atopic Dermatitis

• Atopic dermatitis is a catch-all term for inflammation of the skin caused when the immune system becomes hypersensitive to something (called an allergen) in the environment. An allergic response by the immune system causes localized inflammation or a rash. It can be the start of what is a vicious cycle, where a dog licks or scratches the affected area, breaking the skin and allowing secondary infection to start.
  
  

Contact Allergies

• Skin allergies cause a dog to scratch.Ronja 5 image by Nadine Wendt from Fotolia.com
  
  A dog may be allergic to a substance (allergen) in the environment, such as a particular type of grass pollen, molds and house dust mites. This might show in the summer months when grasses are flowering, particularly if walks are taken in the countryside. Many dogs are allergic to the ordinary grass species we use in our garden lawns. Contact allergies tend to be localized to the part of a dog’s body coming into contact with the allergen.
  
  

Fleas

• Fleas are a constant source of skin irritation in dogs, particularly around the tail and rump. It is not the flea that is the problem but its saliva, which is left in the skin. A single bite can cause intense itching, leading to scabs and sores on the skin. The tendency for a dog to chew and scratch the affected area leads to hair loss and the risk of secondary infection.
  
  

Food Sensitivity

• Veterinarian Stephen Webb points out that although true food allergy is rare, it does form a small percentage of cases seen by veterinarians. All ingredients within a food are potential allergens, and the only way of determining the cause is to undertake an extended feeding trial or exclusion diet At the end of this trial a veterinary nutritionist may recommend a particular food which an affected dog can tolerate.
  
  

Treatment and Prevention

• Wherever there is a rash or irritation causing a dog discomfort, then the advice of a veterinarian should be sought before secondary problems set in. Blood and skin tests can help to narrow down the cause of symptoms, and a treatment plan set in place. This might involve drug therapy with antibiotics or steroids to ease the irritation, or a change of diet to a more natural food.
  
  Keeping your pet free of fleas and worms by use of proprietary treatments, and regular attention to grooming can help, alongside avoiding environmental allergens known to be a problem.