Mary Allen
Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common skin diseases, usually with a chronic or chronically recurrent course.
General description
In human medicine, this disease is also known as neurodermatitis or atopic eczema. This disease is often difficult to treat and in many cases, a cure cannot be achieved.
Cause
The cause is only partially known. However, it is undisputed that it is a skin disease caused by many factors (multifactorial), which are based on a genetic predisposition.
Trigger
In particular allergens, climatic factors, skin infections, and psychological influences. Bacteria and yeast can colonize more easily and quickly in an atopic dog, leading to secondary infection (see Pyoderma and Malassezia Dermatitis), which makes the itching worse. Scratching and itching cause further deterioration. A vicious cycle ensues.
Therapy
The therapy is much more a “management” because it combines many different approaches. An individual compilation of the listed measures is required for each patient:
Avoiding the triggers or reducing the allergen load
- Examples: Banning bedrooms, avoiding carpets, pillows, and sofas, locking animals out when vacuuming, using Allergocover covers for blankets and mattresses, applying borates, and denaturing substances to carpets and furniture to kill mites, followed by vacuuming. e.g. Indorex Spray.
Desensitization
- For year-round problems
- After a development phase of approx. 3-6 months, good results can be achieved in 60% of all cases
Local therapy:
- Regular bathing of the skin not only calms the skin but also washes off the allergens
- Lotions in the form of sprays are intended to give the skin back the moisture it needs
- Spot on with fatty acids (e.g. Allerderm) stabilize the skin barrier from the outside
Systemic therapy
- antihistamines
- cortisone
- Cyclosporine (Atopica)
Monthly flea prevention
- Because dogs with neurodermatitis also tend to have flea saliva allergies.
Feeding:
- No food experiments
- Addition of essential fatty acids to strengthen the skin barrier