Seasonal Allergies in Dogs

It's that time of year again: Everyone is walking around with tissues in their hands and pockets, eyes red and puffy, and in a Benadryl coma. ALLERGY SEASON. Humans are not the only ones to suffer. Dogs can too. Dog's exhibit seasonal allergies a little bit different than humans. Their symptoms are generally skin issues: allergic dermatitis.

• Your dog will be ITCHY. Fido will be scratching excessively, biting and chewing on spots of the body and rubbing against surfaces. 
• You may also notice that your dog's ears are chronically infected with rashes, yeast and bacteria. This will cause your dog to be constantly scratching the ears, head shaking and there will be hair loss around or on the ear. 
• Hot spots: These are localized areas of the skin that become red, scabby and infected. 
• Generalized redness: Puffy eyes, red oral tissue, red chin, red paws...
• Allergies are an immune system response. Canine's with an already weak immune system may develop respiratory issues like sinusitis, bronchitis, ect...

 There are two types of allergies: food and environment. Food allergies tend to be a constant chronic condition until the diet is altered and the allergenic food is eliminated. Seasonal allergies are...well... seasonal. UNLESS you live in a climate that doesn't experience a hard freeze. Then, they can become a year-long issue. Dog's can also become extremely sensitized to the environmental culprit. What may have been a once a year issue, can gradually get worse each year until it is a year long problem. If you think your dog is suffering from seasonal allergies, it's best to visit your veterinarian and take measures to alleviate the symptoms:

Benadryl can be given to a dog to temporarily relieve allergies. I would consult your veterinarian about giving your dog benadryl and your dog's correct dosage. Like humans, it will make your dog drowsy and it's probably not best to give your dog on a consistent basis.

Itchy Skin Remedies:

• Brush your dog everyday! When skin is itchy, inflammatory blood cells and chemical compounds such as histamine and prostaglandins accumulate in the affected area. Brushing your dog not only will feel good on those itchy areas, but also help clear out all the build up...kind of like raking the leaves out of your yard. 
• Spray a 50/50 solution of Apple Cider Vinegar and Water onto the affected areas of your dogs skin. 
• Chamomile Tea can be chilled and sprayed onto itchy areas in order to skill yeast and bacteria as well as soothe the skin.
• A spoonful of plain yogurt in your dog's diet will help balance the intestines and keep yeast infections at bay.
• Break a Vitamin E capsule and rub the oil onto irritating hot spots.
• Feed your dog Coconut Oil or apply to skin. Coconut oil has so many benefits! I cannot list them all today, but you can read about them in this other post I wrote---> Right here 
• Magnesium cream to alleviate hot spots or to dehydrate boils and abscesses. But, it should not be applied to an open wound. Instead, you would want to rub the cream around the wound. Giving your dog a "paw bath" of warm water and Epson Salt, which contains magnesium, after a long day of exercise to alleviate itchy paws and help stimulate blood flow to the skin.