Blog

Itchy Skin

November 1, 2017

Itchy skin can be caused by a great many different things and looking for a solution is often time consuming and frustrating especially if it takes a while to narrow down the source of the problem.

Whether the problem is fleas, food allergies, environmental allergies such as to pollens and plants, or even stress, soothing and cooling the skin is a priority.

Of course a trip to your vet should be your first port of call and they may recommend (among other things) a medicated wash for the skin. If they do, it is critical that you follow the washing instructions very carefully. Usually the products dictate leaving on the skin for 15 minutes and it is important that this time is observed before rinsing to get the maximum benefit from the product. Jim’s Dog Wash groomers are happy for you to bring the prescribed shampoo for the groom and will know exactly how to apply it for best results.

For mild irritations you could use an oatmeal rinse which is an excellent way to sooth the skin. Pour a cup of plain oatmeal into a food processor to blend it to a powder and add it to 2 litres of lukewarm water. You could add in one teaspoon of colloidal silver which is great for bacterial and fungal issues. Bathe the dog in this mixture and don’t use heat when drying as that will make itching worse.

For more stubborn long term itches, especially with short coated dogs the pH of the skin and damage to the outer layers of skin can be to blame. A safe and natural wash and rinse may be successful in treating the itches. Rinse your dog with fresh water and then pour over a solution of one heaped tablespoon of baking soda to 1 cup of water (as many cups as required to coat the whole dog) and wash your dog with this. Then after rinsing well, make another solution of 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to one cup of water and pour over your dog and leave to dry (again, as many cups as required to coat your dog all over). This can rebalance the pH and help reduce irritation.

Aloe Vera has been used for thousands of years and it can be very soothing if the flesh of the plant is rubbed onto sore red areas. Remember to tell your groomer of any skin issues when you ring for a booking and if in any doubt, always consult your vet or allergy specialist.