Understanding the cause of skin itchiness and rashes in your dog is the first step of successful management of the issue. Most people assume that the cause is something like fleas.
And while these parasites are major contributors to skin rashes in dogs, they are not the only culprits. Here are all the reasons your dog may be so itchy even when they don’t have fleas.
Allergic dermatitis
Dermatitis refers to irritation and inflammation of the skin. In these cases, the inflammation is as a result of allergic reactions. Some of the most common triggers in dogs include things like pollen, dust, non-hypoallergenic grooming products and even some foods.
Dog allergy symptoms typically last about 6 to 24 hours if there is no further exposure to the allergen. The itchiness and rashes may take a further 48 to 72 hours to subside.
Flea infestation
Just because you cannot see the fleas it doesn’t mean they are not there.
If your dog has a lot of rashes and is itching a lot, presumptively managing flea infestation is always a good idea. You have nothing to lose if there are no fleas and everything to gain if the dog is infested by well-hidden bugs.
Mange
There are 2 types of mange caused by different varieties of mites. The parasites burrow under the dog’s skin and cause intense irritation and inflammation. If not promptly managed, mange could cause permanent damage to the dog’s coat.
Skin infections
Another reason your dog may be having rashes is as a result of microorganism infections. This includes bacterial infections, yeast infections, and even worms like ringworms. In these cases, both topical and systemic approaches of management are effective.
Skin cancer
Skin cancer appears in many different ways from vague symptoms like redness to ulcerations and projecting growths. Some types of skin cancers in dogs also cause irritation and rashes to form especially around the affected sites.