March 28, 2012
Posted in Common Pet Conditions, Flea & Tick Preventatives, Pet Health, Pet Meds, Pet Supplies

When your dog has an allergic reaction to fleas, it may develop an itchy, inflamed patches of skin called hot spots. Spring is flea season, so you should know what to look for if these insects bite your pooch.

Hot spots can be caused by flea allergy dermatitis, which is an allergic skin disease. The spot becomes raw and hot, allowing yeast and bacteria to grow on it. The more your pet scratches, the more bacteria is spread and more hot spots develop. Dogs can have a number of other seasonal allergies that exhibit symptoms on the skin, but fleas are the number one cause of such allergies. 

If your dog has a hot spot, it might compulsively bite or lick the area, chewing in a nibbling motion. It may also scratch around the head and neck and have bald spots. Luckily, there are a number of ways to treat flea allergy dermatitis, and make sure to prevent any occurrences in the future.

You can treat hot spots with topical sprays, pet shampoo and other pet products. Excel Hydrocortisone Spray can relieve itching while soothing the inflamed skin. Be Soothed Tea Tree Oil Skin Relief is another good spray to relieve pain and itching and helping with inflammation. Your veterinarian may even prescribe a spray like Genesis Topical Spray, which is specifically formulated for allergy dermatitis. Yucca Intensive is another homeopathic treatment that can soothe inflammation and allergy-induced itching.

Giving your dog a bath with oatmeal shampoo or another soothing shampoo might also help its skin. Allermyl Shampoo has natural anti-inflammatory ingredients and essential fatty acids to cleanse and heal the skin. Always give your pooch a treat after a bath or medication administration to promote positive behavior during these unfamiliar experiences.

Your vet may also recommend antihistamines to relieve allergy symptoms. Chlorpheniramine and Clemastine Antihistamine are both good options for this purpose. The tablets might be unappealing to your pooch, so conceal them in Greenies Pill Pockets to make it easier.

To prevent allergic flea reactions in the future, make sure you give your dog flea and tick preventative pet drugs like Sentinel or Revolution. In addition to preventing fleas, Sentinel also prevents heartworm disease, hookworms, roundworms and whipworms. Revolution kills fleas and flea eggs while also protecting against heartworms. 

Related posts:

1. What common skin infections are bugging your pooch?
2. Managing your dog’s reaction to fleas
3. Relieve itching in your dog
4. How fleas can affect your feline
5. When ear scratching is too much