Mary Allen
Itchy, dry, inflamed skin? With the right skincare, you can help your pet feel better.
Why is Skincare so Important for Allergy Sufferers?
Skincare for allergy sufferers mainly serves three purposes:
- Allergens hanging in the fur should be removed so that they cannot trigger an allergic reaction in the first place; e.g. by bathing.
- The barrier function of the skin, which is impaired in allergy sufferers, should be strengthened and thus counteract dry skin; through shampoos, sprays, or skin treatments.
- Accompanying skin infections with bacteria or yeasts are to be curbed with special disinfecting shampoos or sprays.
How can allergens be removed from fur?
The easiest method is to wipe your pet down regularly with a slightly damp cloth; Dogs with pollen allergies are best after every walk.
It is also very effective to wash the paws of allergic dogs with cool water after every walk. This also removes allergens and soothes irritation, especially if you add some mild shampoo to the water with moisturizers like oat extract (e.g. Virbac Allercalm).
Please dry the paws well, as moisture between the toes promotes the growth of yeast (Malassezia).
If your dog already suffers from inflamed paws, a paw shoe (also called a “bootie”) will help protect them from mechanical irritation and contact with allergens during the walk. Please clean the paw shoe regularly, as yeast and bacteria like to multiply even in the damp, warm environment of the paw shoe.
The most thorough way to remove allergens naturally is to shower or bathe your pet regularly with mild medicated shampoos if that is possible.
What do I have to consider if I want to shampoo my pet?
When washing, pay attention to:
- a non-slip pad
- a water temperature that feels cool to us (body-warm water can cause circulatory problems). In the summer, the garden hose will do, too.
- proceed as gently and calmly as possible. Get your four-legged friend used to the procedure with plenty of rest, after all, you want to do it more often and not provoke a wrestling match every time.
Please do not comb wet fur or blow dry it. Thorough drying is enough!
Mild, hypoallergenic shampoos with moisturizers are best suited for allergy sufferers. They should be as fragrance-free as possible and in any case correspond to the pH value of dog skin, which is higher than that of human skin. In the case of problems with dandruff and infections, mildly disinfecting shampoos that regulate dandruff are also useful, but normally no harsh dandruff removers or antibacterial shampoos.
How often should I wash my animal?
Bathe your allergy sufferer as needed and not stubbornly according to a scheme! Bathing too often can dry out the skin and increase itching, which is the opposite of what we want it to be. It is best to discuss with your treating veterinarian how often you should shampoo your pet. In some cases, this can even be daily at first, later twice a week, or only every one to two weeks.
Frequent bathing makes sense, for example, if the pollen to which your pet is allergic is flying, or if you notice that the itching is increasing again after a long break from bathing.
If you find that frequent bathing makes the itching worse rather than less, please speak to your veterinarian. It could be that you bathe too often and the skin is too dry, or there is another factor that makes itching worse.
What are the benefits of sprays, lotions, and spot-on skincare for allergy sufferers?
Sprays, lotions, etc. to be applied locally are generally intended to moisturize allergy-prone skin, which tends to dry out, while at the same time relieving irritation and promoting skin regeneration.
With some moisturizing sprays, you can simply spray your animal over a large area, other preparations are more suitable for treating smaller irritated or inflamed skin areas.
If possible, skincare products should only be applied to cats where they cannot be licked off (head, neck).
And then there is the spot on essential oils or fatty acids and ceramides, which are applied to the neck area (along the back in large dogs) and very effectively strengthen the skin barrier. We also know similar “ampoules” from cosmetic treatments or for medical care in neurodermatitis and psoriasis. They can be used every few days for acute problems and later about once a month for long-term support of normal skin function.