In general, an allergy is a disease state characterized by hypersensitivity responses to “offending”  substances called allergens. A skin allergy occurs when this reaction is manifested in the skin. Just like humans, dogs may suffer from skin allergies. Canine atopic dermatitis is the second most common form of skin allergy among dogs: an estimated 10% are affected. A genetically inherited and normally lifelong disease, the first sign of atopic dermatitis usually occurs between 6 months to 3 years of age.

Atopic dermatitis occurs when hypersensitive dogs come in contact with or inhale common allergens such as house dust mites, pollens and molds, which then generate an allergic reaction.

The main symptom of atopic dermatitis is itching. Dogs will chew on their feet, rub their face on the carpet, and gnaw and scratch at their skin. These actions, in turn, worsen skin inflammation, and cause lesions, hair loss and dry, flaky skin.

Since several different skin diseases can cause itching, your veterinarian will perform some diagnostic tests and treatment trials to exclude other diseases and get to a final diagnosis of atopic dermatitis.
 

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, your veterinarian may also perform an allergy test to pinpoint the exact cause of the allergy. There are two basic types of allergy testing. One is a blood test that checks for certain antibodies in a dog’s blood. The other type of testing is intradermal testing, in which injections are made into the skin to determine which of the allergens may be causing the allergic reaction.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic disease often complicated by concurrent infections. Managing atopic dermatitis may require multiple therapies. There are several treatments available for dogs that suffer from atopic dermatitis. Unfortunately, there is no cure.
 

Avoidance of the offending allergens is, theoretically, the best solution. But in most cases, this turns out to be impossible. Your veterinarian may therefore either establish a treatment regimen to control symptoms or try a desensitization therapy.
 

Steroids are extremely effective for relieving severe itching and inflammation. However, the drawback is that they can have many short- and long-term side effects on the dog.
 

Cyclosporine A is a new oral medication specifically developed for the treatment of atopic
dermatitis. It has been proven highly effective in relieving symptoms without the long-term
side effects associated with steroids.
 

Antihistamines may help control itching, especially in conjunction with other treatments. However, since dogs respond differently to different antihistamines, several types may have to be prescribed before an effective one is found.
 

Fatty acids are a “natural” product with some anti-inflammatory properties. They are used as feeding supplements and may be useful as a complementary treatment.
 

Topical therapy, consisting of shampoos, rinses and topical anti-itch solutions offer immediate but only short-term relief.
 

Desensitization, also called immunotherapy, requires identifying the offending allergen. A series of shots are then administered over a lengthy period of time to “desensitize” the dog to the offending allergen. When effective, this therapy is a valid option; but unfortunately, not all dogs respond to it.
 

The management of canine atopic dermatitis may require other products, such as antibiotics and antifungals to cure the concurrent infections. Moreover, it is essential to treat atopic dogs with vigorous flea control to prevent a possible allergy to fleas.