What causes dogs to get eczema?

Dogs are lively and lovely, and they are the most intimate companions in our lives. When we see them playing healthily and happily, our hearts are filled with joy. However, sometimes dogs can be troubled by eczema, which makes their owners very worried. Eczema not only affects a dog's skin health but also causes them to endure itching and discomfort. Exploring the causes of a dog's eczema can help us better prevent and deal with it, safeguarding the dog's health.

Allergy is one of the common causes of eczema in dogs. A dog's immune system is relatively sensitive, and some substances may act as allergens, triggering an allergic reaction that can lead to eczema. Food allergies account for a relatively large proportion. Common food ingredients such as beef, chicken, milk, and wheat may cause allergies in some dogs. When a dog ingests these allergenic foods, the immune system will regard them as invaders and launch an attack. As the body's largest organ, the skin is the first to be affected. The dog may first experience skin itching and keep scratching. Subsequently, the skin starts to turn red, and red patches appear, gradually developing into eczema. Just imagine that a dog that was originally happily enjoying its food, due to a food allergy, has red, swollen, and itchy skin and is so uncomfortable that it can't sit still. The owner feels pain in their heart when seeing this.

Allergens in the environment should not be underestimated either. Pollen floats in the air during specific seasons. When a dog goes out, pollen may attach to its fur and skin, triggering an allergy. Especially in the season when flowers are in full bloom and the weather is warm, some dogs allergic to pollen may scratch their bodies frequently and develop skin inflammation after coming back from outside. Dust mites are also common allergens. They like to hide in warm and humid places such as mattresses, sofas, and carpets. When a dog rests and plays in these places, it is likely to come into contact with dust mites and their excrements, thus triggering an allergy and leading to eczema. There is also mold, which multiplies in large numbers in a humid environment. After a dog comes into contact with it, it may also develop skin problems. When the owner sees the dog tortured by eczema due to environmental allergies, they often fall into self-blame, regretting not creating a cleaner and safer environment for the dog.

Infection factors can also cause dogs to get eczema. Microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and parasites multiply in large numbers on a dog's skin, disrupting the normal barrier function of the skin, triggering inflammation, and then developing into eczema. For example, in the case of staphylococcal infection, when there is a slight break in the dog's skin, staphylococcus can easily invade, causing skin inflammation and eczema symptoms such as red patches and blisters. Fungal infection is also a common cause. For instance, Microsporum canis, after infection, will cause circular hair loss patches on the dog's skin, accompanied by itching and eczema. In terms of parasites, fleas, mites, etc., parasitize on the dog's skin. While biting and sucking blood, they also inject saliva, causing the dog's skin to be allergic and developing eczema-like lesions. Seeing the dog suffering from eczema due to an infection, the owner wishes they could immediately drive away these "little devils".

Environmental factors have an important impact on the occurrence of eczema in dogs. A humid environment is a "hotbed" for eczema. When the air humidity is high and the dog's skin remains damp for a long time, the moisture is not easy to evaporate, the skin's resistance decreases, and microorganisms are more likely to multiply. For example, during the plum rain season in the south, with high air humidity, the probability of dogs getting eczema increases significantly. A stuffy and hot environment is also not conducive to the heat dissipation of a dog's skin, resulting in poor blood circulation in the skin and making it prone to eczema. In addition, an unsanitary living environment for the dog, such as a doghouse that is not cleaned for a long time and has a large amount of dirt and bacteria remaining, will also increase the risk of eczema. When the owner sees the dog getting eczema due to living in such an environment, they will feel extremely distressed and be determined to give the dog a clean and comfortable home.

The dog's own constitution is also a factor affecting the occurrence of eczema. Some dogs are born with relatively sensitive skin and weaker resistance, making them more vulnerable to external factors and more likely to get eczema. Compared with large dogs, small dogs have thinner skin and a weaker barrier function, so they may have a higher chance of getting eczema. Elderly dogs, due to the decline of their physical functions, have a slower skin metabolism and a reduced repair ability, and they are also prone to eczema. When the dog at home belongs to the constitution prone to eczema, the owner is often more cautious, always paying attention to the dog's skin condition, for fear that eczema will strike.

After understanding the many causes of eczema in dogs, we can carry out targeted preventive work. Choose suitable food for the dog and avoid ingredients that may cause allergies. Keep the living environment clean and dry, regularly clean the doghouse, and reduce the breeding of allergens and microorganisms. Pay attention to the dog's skin care, bathe it regularly, and keep the fur clean. Once you find signs of eczema such as skin itching and red patches on the dog, take it to the veterinarian in a timely manner for diagnosis and treatment. The health of our dogs is our greatest wish. Let's take good care of them with our hearts, keep eczema away from our lovely dogs, and let them always happily accompany us.