ATOPIC ALLERGY

The atopic dermatitis is one of the allergic skin diseases with the highest incidence in the canine species. It occurs on average from 6 months to 3 years of age of the dog and there is certainly an underlying hereditary genetic predisposition. Its manifestations can also last the entire life of the animal. Dermatitis occurs when the sensitive dog comes into contact with or inhales a common allergen (such as dust mites, pollen and spores) that give rise to the allergic reaction.

The main symptom is itching: the dog tends to scratch and the continuous self-trauma worsens skin inflammation causing skin lesions, hair loss (alopecia), dry skin with the presence of dandruff. This situation can be aggravated by bacterial and fungal infections.
Since different skin diseases cause itching, only the veterinarian (or a dermatologist specialist) will be able, after a thorough examination and through diagnostic tests, to rule out other diseases and diagnose atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic disease with variable manifestations, both in time and in intensity, even in the same subject. For this reason, repeated treatments may be necessary. The most desirable solution is to find the treatment with the fewest side effects and the greatest therapeutic efficacy in order to alleviate the symptoms as much as possible, up to obtaining periods with total absence of symptoms.

The atopic dermatitis is one of the allergic skin diseases with the highest incidence in the canine species. It occurs on average from 6 months to 3 years of age of the dog and there is certainly an underlying hereditary genetic predisposition. Its manifestations can also last the entire life of the animal. Dermatitis occurs when the sensitive dog comes into contact with or inhales a common allergen (such as dust mites, pollen and spores) that give rise to the allergic reaction.

The main symptom is itching: the dog tends to scratch and the continuous self-trauma worsens skin inflammation causing skin lesions, hair loss (alopecia), dry skin with the presence of dandruff. This situation can be aggravated by bacterial and fungal infections.
Since different skin diseases cause itching, only the veterinarian (or a dermatologist specialist) will be able, after a thorough examination and through diagnostic tests, to rule out other diseases and diagnose atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic disease with variable manifestations, both in time and in intensity, even in the same subject. For this reason, repeated treatments may be necessary. The most desirable solution is to find the treatment with the fewest side effects and the greatest therapeutic efficacy in order to alleviate the symptoms as much as possible, up to obtaining periods with total absence of symptoms.