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The main causes that can trigger your dog’s skin allergy are the  following ones: Fleas – their saliva can cause your dog to itch until he will be scratching his skin raw. The number of fleas has no importance because even just one flea can do lots of damage to your dog if he is suffering from a skin allergy to the fleas’ saliva. Each flea bite will elicit allergic reactions and your dog will end up scratching. Inhalate is another cause that may affect your dog is he is suffering from this particular skin allergy. Inhalate is all about seasonal allergies and things that your dog could breathe. For instance, if your dog is already allergic to pollen, dust and ragweed, the inhalation of these substances will trigger skin allergic reaction in your dog. Food allergies are also to be blamed for several skin allergies that can affect your dog. For instance, dogs can develop specific allergies to ingredients in their food – they can be allergic to grains or protein sources that can be found in dog food. Once you suspect that your dog is suffering from a particular food allergy that causes skin rashes, you must switch that food to another one that does not contain the “guilty” ingredients. Fortunately, a diet change may clear up your dog food and skin allergy for good. Contact is the fourth cause that may trigger a skin allergy in a dog. For instance, your pet may be allergic to cotton, wool or other fabrics he comes in direct contact with. In this case, you will have to go for bedding or collars made from other types of materials in order to prevent further allergic reactions from occurring. Bacterial cause is another common culprit especially if your dog keeps on getting some ringworm looking spots allover his skin. Once such spots appear, your dog is likely to have developed a bacterial infection that requires professional care and a full round of antibiotics. The main symptoms of dog skin allergies include red and inflamed skin, chronic ear infections, dry flaky skin and constant paw chewing. Even if diagnosing your dog with a skin allergy can be a pretty confusing job, once you notice some of the symptoms listed above, you should try and get to the bottom of his condition and have his skin allergy eliminated. Also, you should try and boost the immune system of your dog by including vegetables, real meat and dog supplements in his daily diet. Plus, you should be careful enough of all the available cortisone and steroid shots treatments because they are formulated to provide just a short term relief that will not eliminate your dog’s skin allergy for good. In fact, such conventional treatments will only cover up the skin allergy and, if used for a longer period of time, they may cause liver and kidney disease. But remember that a skin allergy in your dog must be treated no matter what. So, if you plan to take your pet to the vet, you should try giving him an immediate cool bath with efficient Epson salts in order to provide him with soothing comfort from the nasty irritants that can be found on his skin. Once such irritants seep out through his skin and lies right on it, they will aggravate his skin allergy.
Photo - Flickr, http://www.flickr.com/photos/activesteve/4351040375/
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