Allergic dermatitis is one of the most common skin diseases that can torment or affect your beloved dogs or cats. However, you should know that allergic dermatitis is a serious chronic skin disease that can never be cured, only treated or controlled.
Literally, the term "allergic dermatitis" is derived from the root words "allergy", which means sensitivity or physical reaction to certain substances, and "dermatitis", which means inflammation that manifests or is normally and usually found in the skin.
Allergic dermatitis can therefore be precisely defined as an inflammation of the skin caused by exposure to strong and aggressive substances called "allergens" in medical jargon. These substances are often absorbed through the skin, inhaled, or ingested in the form of food.
Symptoms of allergic dermatitis
The most common symptom or sign that your cat or dog has allergic dermatitis is excessive itching. Dogs have a habit of chewing, biting, licking or scratching the itchy part of their skin, which leads to redness, open sores, or, much to your dismay, hair loss.
In dogs and cats, however, it will sometimes be difficult to differentiate whether their itching is due to fleas or allergic dermatitis. If the itching of the animal persists and there are no signs indicating that it is caused by fleas, then it is automatically allergic dermatitis.
The most common places where allergic dermatitis shows up in your pets are the armpits, feet, and face. Be careful and vigilant because if allergic dermatitis is not treated immediately, it can infect the whole body. Some pets also have a tendency to scratch, although this does not indicate skin problems. In this case, a visit to the veterinarian is advised.
In dogs, allergic dermatitis manifests as redness on the face, dark or blotchy areas on the foot due to excessive licking, and oily skin due to chronic rubbing.
Cats do not suffer from allergic dermatitis as frequently as dogs, but when they have it, some additional symptoms may be observed. Among these is the appearance of small bumps all over the body, lip ulcers, excoriation of the neck, and patches of hair loss.
The causes of allergic dermatitis
Several causes are evoked to explain the appearance of allergic dermatitis in pets. The most fundamental is heredity or genetic factors, that is, it is present in the family of the animal.
Another is the inhalation or absorption of allergens such as grass, tree pollens, feathers, cigarette smoke, weeds, house dust, and wool. Note that several of these allergens also cause severe allergic reactions in hypersensitive humans.
Treatment
Since allergic dermatitis can be treated but is never curable, medications available on the market will only lessen your pet's discomfort until the symptoms subside.
It would be best to seek the help of your trusted veterinarian to obtain prescriptions for these medications and to know their accurate and safe administration.
Since pet medications are not readily available, it would be helpful to ask your veterinarian where pet pharmacies are located. These pharmacies generally have strict drug dispensing practices to ensure the safety of both pets and owners.
Cortisones, antihistamines, antifungals, and antibiotics are the drugs usually prescribed by veterinarians for animals with allergic dermatitis.
Prevention
To avoid the appearance of allergic dermatitis in your animals, ensure that they are not exposed to the identified allergens.
Thoroughly clean your home to get rid of dust and pollen that could cause allergic dermatitis in your pets. Give your pet a good, quick bath after a short outing to get rid of any pollen and dust that may have lodged in his fur.