Here are three articles about allergies. The first two are people ones (Human medicine is saying it is genetic too) and the last one is a dog one. The easy part is the diagnosis of allergies, that is pretty obvious, the hard part is the control of the disease. There is a split in the opinion of researchers as to how much a food allergy plays a part in the expression of skin disease. Some say 20% of dogs affected have an underlying food allergy, some say over 50% have an underlying food allergy. Becky successfuly controlled Star's symptoms by totally changing the way Star was fed and many dogs respond to that treatment if the primary source of allergy is food. If a dog (or person) has a food allergy AND a contact allergy(leaf molds, fabrics, chemicals etc.) or an allergy to inhaled substances (ragweed, pollen etc.), treatment is a lot more difficult.

I found it much easier to deal with my mixed breed dog's allergic skin conditions after I had allergy testing done. Unfortunately, because he lived to be 20yrs old, he kept developing allergies to "new" things, so each course of treatment wasn't successful for ever. We went the gamut from steroids (until he became allergic to them), antihistamines (until he became allergic to them), homemade diets (until he became allergic to them), homeopathy (until he became allergic to them), desensitizing shots (until he became allergic to them) and the list goes on <G>. He still lived to be 20 years old.

I. Definition:
Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when your skin comes in contact with an allergen that your skin is sensitive or allergic to. The reaction usually appears within 48 hours after the initial exposure to the allergen. Symptoms that are commonly seen include the following: redness, swelling, blistering, itching, and weeping. The allergen can be a substance in a product that you have used for many years; it does not have to be a new product. Allergic contact dermatitis occurs more commonly in adults. The most common types of allergic contact dermatitis are allergy to poison ivy and poison oak.

II. Cause:
Whether or not you are allergic to something is determined by your genes. Many people believe that you cannot be allergic to a product that you have used everyday for many years. This is not true. At any time your skin can become allergic to one of the specific substances in the product, even though you have used it for a long time.

Often, a rash may break out on your face even though an allergen did not directly come in contact with your face. If you get something on your hands that you are allergic to and then touch your face, the allergen can cause a reaction on the face even though there is no reaction on your hands. This is because the skin on our hands is thicker than that of the face, especially around the eyelids.

III. Treatment:
You have to discontinue all products that you have been using on the exposed area, and only use the treatment the dermatologist has prescribed for you. The most common treatment for allergic contact dermatitis is a cortisone ointment preparation. It is important that you return to your dermatologist at the end of your one to two week treatment. The treatment used is strong and you should not use it for more than one to two weeks without being under the supervision of your doctor. If overused, the medication can cause permanent thinning of the skin. When you come for the second visit, if all is going well, your doctor will then taper down to a weaker medication. Two weeks after your symptoms have cleared, you can begin the search for the chemical that you are allergic to. You do this by re-introducing the products you were using prior to your reaction, one at a time, one week apart. It is often best to do a small test area first. If you have a good idea what you are allergic to, you simply try to avoid it in the future and you should not have any further problems. If your problem persists and you are unable to determine the cause, patch testing may have to be done. This will be explained in greater detail if it is required.

Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis occurs in people who have a lower natural threshold to resist itching. The threshold to resist itching is genetically determined. One factor in this disease may be a dysfunction in the immune system.

Atopic dermatitis usually begins in childhood. It is common in the Western World and is associated with a family history of asthma or hay-fever.

Lesions are produced primarily by scratching. With intense scratching, the lesions develop redness, weeping, and scaling. Lesions most often occur on the neck, behind the knee, and the inside of the arm at the elbow. Factors that exacerbate (worsen) the dermatitis include: sudden changes in weather, stress, wool, furs, and irritant chemicals.

Individuals who suffer from atopic dermatitis must avoid factors that cause or exacerbate the condition. Treatment usually involves topical agents such as corticosteroids, anti-infectives, or UV therapy.

Common Allergies, Weird Signs
By Nick Nelson, DVM
Animal Hospital of Central Kitsap
Poulsbo, Washington
Summer has begun and with it comes all of nature's beauty. The grass is growing, weeds are in full force, and trees have bloomed. This is the perfect time to be outside with our dog friends working in the yard, going to the park, and enjoying the outdoors. Allergy season is here and humans are not the only ones who have allergic reactions. Yes, our furry companions also are affected by inhaled allergens.

Canine atopic dermatitis is an inherited predisposition to develop allergic reactions to "allergens" such as dust, pollens, molds, and even human dander. Dogs usually develop symptoms between 1 and 3 years of age and certain breeds, including Golden Retrievers, Dalmatians and Miniature Schnauzers, to name a few, are commonly "atopic".

Biting, licking, scratching at their feet, ears, armpits and groins are the signs that your dog is exhibiting symptoms of "inhaled" allergies. This can lead to ear infections, reddening and thickening of the skin, and excessive dandruff. In fact, the number one cause of recurrent ear infections is "atopic" dermatitis. Remember that the infection is a symptom of the underlying "allergic" process.

Symptomatic or specific treatment can be done depending on the severity of the "allergic" process. Because these are inhaled substances, many dogs exhibit symptoms in certain seasons, like spring and summer. Other dogs have symptoms year-round. Symptomatic therapy includes fatty acids, antihistamines, and steroids. Antihistamines and fatty acids can be used for life without any long-term problems. Steroids should only be used when the itching is severe and only used for short periods of time. There have been new diets developed that contain fatty acids at proper levels to control clinical symptoms. Specific therapy includes desensitization vaccines, which attempt to improve the immune response to the exposed "allergen". The vaccines are developed based upon blood and skin testing.

Medical and lifestyle management offers relief from allergies, which are a lifelong problem with no "cure". None of us want to see our "best" friend miserable during this time of year. Your veterinarian will design a treatment plan that is best for your dog - a game plan to control the itch. Time and patience are the keys to success.