Itchy Scratching Dog - Pollen

The things that cause human asthma are a common cause of scratching
in dogs. Pollen, dust mites and household spores are often the cause
of atopic dermatitis in dogs. These allergens cross your dog's skin
barrier in the hairless regions such as the feet, the groin, the tummy
and the arm pit. Dogs with atopic dermatitis have a deficient skin
barrier with faulty ceramides. The skin loses moisture and allergens
penetrate the skin initiating an allergic reaction.Grass pollen is a
common cause of atopic dermatitis as grasses are wind pollinated.
Grass pollens are therefore very small so that they blow easily in the
wind. Grass pollens blow in the wind and get everywhere making it
almost impossible for atopic dogs to avoid them.Tree pollens are much
larger as many trees are insect pollinated and especially by bees.
Tree pollens usually fall to the ground under trees and are a common
cause of contact allergies which are predominantly on your dog's feet
and ventral abdomen (tummy).It has recently been proven that there are
three different points of entry for pollen into the body which causes
different antibody production depending on the route of entry of the
pollen.Due to a faulty skin barrier, most pollen actually crosses the
skin barrier. This is called transdermal. Pollen is also inhaled by
breathing in pollen in the air. Pollen is also ingested by dogs
licking itchy feet and skin. As a consequence different antibody
groups are stimulated giving rise to IgG and IgE. This is important
for desensitisation. It is now recommended to have skin prick tests as
well as blood tests for a more comprehensive picture of the full range
of allergens.