10 Common Dog Skin Conditions

Skin is the largest organ in the animal body, and proper care is a number one priority. Skin is essential for protection, maintaining water balance, elasticity, temperature regulation, and toxin erection. Like humans, dog skin needs special care to prevent skin infections. Several ways to treat these conditions include natural remedies and pet skin wellness products. Today, HICC PET™ goes over typical dog skin conditions and treatments every pet owner should look for. What are common dog skin conditions?

There are noticeable signs if your dog has a skin problem. Learn these signs and symptoms to quickly treat your dog or take it to the vet before the condition worsens. Take immediate action if you notice any of the following signs of skin infection in your pet: 

• Red flaky skin
• Constant itching
• Inflamed skin
• Bumps, lesions, scabs
• Rashes
• Swollen wounds
• Bald patches 
• Hot spots (an open wound that comes from continuous scratching) 

Tick bites spread bacteria causing Lyme disease and other illnesses like Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Ticks live deep in dog fur and feed on their hosts, causing irritation and excessive itching. They are small and quickly hide in long undercoats, making them hard to spot. After playing outdoors, thoroughly check your dog’s coat to avoid hitchhikers. 

 Common signs of a tick bite: 

• Swollen bumps on the skin
• Joint pain
• Muscle aches
• Scabs 

A fever can develop from long-term tick exposure. The best way to stop ticks is to remove them from your dog. Owners must remove ticks properly to avoid a worsened skin infection. All pets are at risk for tick bites. Speak to your veterinarian about tick prevention methods. 

Fleas commonly infect dogs, cats, and other furry pets. Fleas are tiny and quickly multiply in number. Immediate treatment is crucial to avoid an infestation that may take months to exterminate. Flea bites and droppings irritate the skin making your dog itch. Try pet skin cleansing wipes to soothe any discomfort for quick itch relief. To determine if your dog is infected, look through its fur. You may notice tiny moving brown spots or dried blood from their bites. Many over-the-counter medications or natural remedies are available to drive them away. Add a few drops of essential oil to a cup of water for a natural repellent. Mix the solution in a spray bottle onto your dog’s coat for a happier pup. 

Like humans, dogs can react to items that cause itching and skin irritation. These items range from harmful ingredients in pet shampoos to foods they eat, their outside environment, household cleaning products, insect bites, and others. Allergic reactions can show up as red rashes, bumps on the skin, and itching. To stop the allergen before it starts, try to determine what is causing the allergic reaction. Keep your dog away from this allergen as often as possible. For mild reactions, over-the-counter spray solutions can help. Anti-itch pet skin care sprays work to stop the irritation and soothe any pain. Speak to your veterinarian about typical dog skin conditions and treatments for severe allergic reactions.  

If your dog has dandruff, you may notice white flakes on its coat. These white flakes are dead skin cells that cling to the fur. Some common causes of dog dandruff are bacterial infections, allergies, parasites, yeast, and seborrhea (doggy illness causing defects in skin cell renewal). A sudden case of dandruff is nothing to worry about. If your dog has a long undercoat, they probably need some grooming if it’s been a while. For severe or ongoing dandruff, the cause might be an underlying illness. Speak to your veterinarian for a diagnosis.  

A hot spot is an open wound that appears red, inflamed, and sometimes oozes pus. They frequently appear under the belly, near the ears, the legs, or on the tail. This common type of skin infection in dogs causes them to lick, chew, and scratch at the wound, leading to more inflammation. Hot spots spread fast, so immediate treatment is essential. Hot spot itch relief dog sprays have antimicrobial properties to soothe, treat, and heal hot spot outbreaks. Common reasons for hot spots vary from mosquito bites, soiled coats, parasites, allergies, or humid environments. There are a few ways to prevent hot spots, which include: 

•  A regular grooming schedule. 
• Drying your dog entirely after swimming or bathing.
• Treating any possible allergies.
• Insect bite protection. 
• Getting a vet diagnosis for any underlying medical conditions. 

Rashes develop from allergic reactions to diet, household products, pet washes, or nature. Rashes appear as tiny bumps on the skin or a swollen red area. The best way to prevent rashes is to keep your pet away from the irritant. If diet happens to be the problem, switch out your dog’s food brand in small sections to avoid an upset stomach. If the rash disappears, your dog may have an allergic reaction to that particular dog food. Most rashes are minor, requiring pet creams or pet rash-relief spray solutions. What other signs of skin conditions in dogs can be distinguished?

Ringworm is a contagious fungus that develops as circular patches on the skin. Ringworm causes balding, scaly skin, and itching. If you suspect your dog has ringworm, keep them separated from other dogs to avoid spreading. Remedies for ringworm include over-the-counter creams like corticosteroids or natural solutions like apple cider vinegar. 

Impetigo is a common skin condition in puppies under one year of age. It appears under the belly as pus-filled bumps that may crack and crust, causing dryness and irritation around the area. Impetigo is not a life-endangering disease but may cause your dog pain and discomfort. Pet healing wound sprays and cleansing wipes may help ensure a speedy recovery.

One of the most common dog skin conditions and treatments is folliculitis. Folliculitis is a skin infection causing inflamed hair strands. 

Dogs commonly contract folliculitis from: 

• Bacteria 
• Fungi
• Hypothyroidism
• Parasites 

It appears as scabs, lesions, and sores on the body. Signs of folliculitis include itching, pimples, puffiness, balding, inflammation near the infected area, and pain. Depending on how the illness develops, there are many ways to treat folliculitis. For bacterial folliculitis, a vet may prescribe antibiotics. For fungal diseases, topical medications or anti-fungal treatment is an option. 

Mange is a disease caused by tiny mites that multiply on the skin and hair. Most dogs naturally carry mange, experiencing no issues. When a mange population explodes, it may lead to infection. There are two types of mange known as Demodex and Sarcoptic. Demodex mange causes balding, sores, and hot spots. Sarcoptic mange is contagious among dogs, appearing mainly on the face, legs, and ears. Mange causes intense itching, red rashes, and hair loss. A vet can determine how severe the condition is and the course of treatment. Treatment includes shampoos and oral medications. 

At HICC PET™, we create natural products that fight against typical dog skin infections and irritants. We developed customized pet skin sprays and wipes for long-term healing and pet wellness. Say goodbye to harmful microbes with our scientifically formulated solutions. Our pet care spray is a natural disinfectant that protects against open wounds, hot spots, and rashes and fights infections before they begin. Visit us online for more information about our pet wellness products and access to pet care tips. Our pets mean everything to us. That’s why we treat them like family.