Itchy Dog - Fix It Yourself

Dogs with atopic dermatitis have very dry skin. A defective skin
barrier leads to moisture loss from the skin. This manifests as dry
flakey skin which flakes off as "dandruff". These dogs scratch all the
time. The defective skin barrier allows allergens to cross the skin
and trigger an immune reaction which causes inflammation and erythema
(red itchy skin).There are several ways that the skin barrier can be
repaired by nutritional supplements. There are several ways that the
skin barrier can be protected. It is important that you learn how to
protect and replenish the skin barrier if you have a dog with atopic
dermatitis.Food allergy is not uncommon in dogs. Every itchy dog needs
an eliminatiod trial. If you have a dog that just never stops
scratching despite what you do, consider a food allergen as a
potential cause. Adverse food reactions cause intense pruritis and
self mutilation. Dogs will destroy themselves by scratching and
rubbing as this self mutilation is the only way of stopping the itch.
Theses dogs need to have the allergen removed from the diet How do you
know what it is? You do an elimination food trial and a sequential
rechallenge.Flea allergy is such a common cause of itching and
scratching in dogs. The dogs mutilate themselves along the top of the
back around the base of the tail.Despite the cause of the itch, it is
possible to stop the scratching quickly and effectively, in the
comfort of your own home right now. You can do it yourself.