Dog Skin Allergies: Causes, Signs, and Treatments

What Are Skin Allergies in Dogs? 

Your poor dog can’t stop scratching behind their ears. Their belly is red, and their paws are irritated. They look uncomfortable. And they probably are!

Skin allergies, or allergic dermatitis, happen when your dog’s immune system overreacts to otherwise harmless substances. These substances, called allergens, can be inhaled or ingested or can penetrate the skin when its outer layer doesn’t provide enough of a barrier to keep them out. This can lead to itchiness, redness, hair loss, and possible ear infections.

Types of Skin Allergies and Their Causes

Environmental Allergies (Atopic Dermatitis) 

Environmental allergies are triggered when your dog inhales or is exposed to allergens in their environment, like pollen, dust mites, mold, grasses, and plants.

These types of allergies are often seasonal, occurring when trees, plants, and flowers begin to grow, but they can become year-round as your dog’s sensitivities increase.

Watch for the onset of environmental allergies when your pup is between six months and three years old. 

Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) 

Flea allergies are the easiest type of allergy to diagnose and treat. They’re caused by your dog’s hypersensitivity to the proteins in flea saliva. When your dog gets bitten, even by one flea, they may experience an intense reaction that can last for days.

Food Allergies 

Food allergies are caused by an immune reaction to specific proteins in your dog’s diet, typically found in beef, chicken, dairy, and eggs. Your dog can develop food allergies at any age, even to foods they have digested well in the past.

Contact Allergies

Contact allergies are exactly what they sound like: reactions caused by direct skin contact with irritating substances, such as cleaning products, laundry detergents, lawn chemicals, certain fabrics, and carpet fibers. Signs of irritation tend to appear on your dog’s belly, paws, or chin.

Contact allergies are less common in dogs than other allergy types, but, like food allergies, they can develop after multiple allergy-free encounters with these substances.

Signs of Skin Allergies in Dogs 

If your dog has an allergy, they may experience a wide range of visual signs, from occasional itching to severe skin damage.

Common Signs

The specific signs your dog has can provide clues pointing to the allergen culprit. Look for:

• Persistent scratching, licking, or chewing at the skin 
• Red, inflamed, or irritated skin 
• Hair loss or a thinning coat 
• Scabs, bumps, or crusty skin 
• Brown saliva staining on fur from chronic licking 
• Restlessness or irritability from discomfort 

Secondary Complications 

Without treatment, skin allergies can lead to secondary complications that require additional care, including:

• Hot spots: moist, red lesions resulting from intense scratching or licking 
• Chronic ear infections: head shaking, odor, discharge, and redness inside the ear canal 
• Bacterial skin infections: pustules, crusting, and worsening inflammation 
• Skin thickening: long-term scratching can cause the skin to become thick and leathery 

How Veterinarians Diagnose Skin Allergies 

Veterinarians diagnose a dog’s skin allergies in three different ways. Here’s a look at each.

Physical Examination 

Let’s say you suspect your dog has an allergy. You would bring them to your veterinarian, who would evaluate your dog’s overall health, the general condition of their skin, and the condition of the specific affected area.

They would also look for signs of fleas and flea dirt, as well as some of the secondary infections we mentioned above. Then they’d review your dog’s history, diet, and environment.

Ruling Out Other Conditions 

Your veterinarian might take measures to rule out other conditions, such as taking a skin scraping to check for mites or fungal cultures to rule out ringworms.

Allergy-Specific Testing

Finally, your veterinarian might run allergy-specific tests to see if they can pinpoint exactly what allergens are causing problems for your dog. It’s important to note that it can sometimes take months to find the exact cause of your dog’s allergies.

Treatment for Skin Allergies in Dogs 

Topical Care

Your veterinarian may suggest topical treatments to help soothe your dog's skin and manage signs between visits. Regular baths can help remove allergens from your dog's coat, and your veterinarian can recommend specific products that are safe and effective for your dog's needs.

Dietary Changes

Your dog may need to make a dietary change if you discover they have a food allergy. Your veterinarian might suggest doing some strict elimination trials (over eight to 12 weeks) to pinpoint what food triggers your dog’s signs of irritation.

If a food allergy is confirmed, your veterinarian may recommend a specialized diet tailored to your dog's sensitivities. Follow their guidance on which formula is the best fit for your dog's needs.

Flea Prevention

A year-round flea prevention prescription is critical for managing flea allergy dermatitis. If you’ve got multiple pets in your home, it’s important to treat them all at the same time.

Lastly, if your flea situation is severe, you’ll need to consider an environmental treatment, too.

Contact Allergy Management

If your dog has contact allergies, the first thing to do is remove the triggering substance from their environment if possible.

A lot of chemicals can exist outside your home, too (on sidewalks and grassy areas, for example), so it may be beneficial to wipe your dog’s underside and paws after they’ve been out.

Breeds Predisposed to Skin Allergies 

No matter what, skin and coat health are important parts of your dog’s overall well-being. One way to support their skin and coat is by giving them quality nutrition, like NUTRO™ dog food!

NUTRO™ dog food is made with wholesome ingredients, including real protein from high-quality sources like chicken, lamb, salmon, and duck. Our recipes are also made with natural ingredients, plus vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients tosupport your dog's everyday vitality and well-being. 

We’ve got formulas for every life stage and breed size, dry and wet food choices, and a variety of recipes made with your dog’s sensitivities in mind.

Whether you’re looking for everyday nutrition your dog will love or a diet that helps support skin and coat health, the NUTRO™ brand has what you and your dog need!