I get many questions about the "dry skin itchies," especially at this time of year. This is most often caused by
a skin condition called seborrhea. If your dog has seborrhea, you will notice dry, flaky skin or greasy, scaly skin - or sometimes, both conditions appear.
Some flaky skin in dogs is totally normal. But excessive scaling or flaking, or a stinky dog smell even after your dog has been bathed, are common indicators of seborrhea. In severe cases, your dog's skin and hair will feel greasy, red skin or a rash may develop, and your dog's ears may become inflamed. This can cause excessive scratching and licking. Obese and senior dogs are more prone to seborrhea because it's harder for them to groom themselves thoroughly.
There are any number of causes for seborrhea, including dry winter weather, food allergies, lack of essential fatty acids (Omega-3 and Omega-6), nutritional deficiencies, or yeast and bacterial infections. Seborrhea is sometimes genetically inherited as well.
Treatment Options
First, see your veterinarian to make sure your dog has no underlying skin infection that requires antibiotics or other medications.
Treatment for seborrhea centers on using special medicated shampoos and cream rinses to help control flaking, scaling and itching. The specific shampoo and the frequency of application vary with the type of seborrhea, so it is best to consult your veterinarian to determine the optimum treatment for your dog.
For mild dry flaking and itching, hypo-allergenic moisturizing shampoos and cream rinses designed for a dog's skin containing no dyes or fragrances can bring relief by re-hydrating the skin. These products are very gentle and can be used frequently.
For severe dry flaking, therapeutic shampoos that contain salicylic acid work well. For oily seborrhea, shampoos containing coal tar or benzoyl peroxide are often recommended.
Your veterinarian may suggest a short course of oral corticosteroids if your dog's itching is severe. Also, dietary supplements containing Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids derived from fish oil can be beneficial for seborrhea and help maintain healthy skin and a shiny coat. To keep food allergies under control, always feed your dog a high quality dog food with a high percentage of lean protein and a minimum of corn and wheat.
Finally, if the air in your home seems dry, consider purchasing a humidifier to add moisture back into the air. It will re-hydrate your skin as well as your dogs!
Although seborrhea can be very uncomfortable for your dog, once it is properly diagnosed it can be effectively controlled with regular grooming using therapeutic shampoos, a high quality diet, and dietary supplements.
Bandanas Mobile Grooming offers a wide variety of high-end, therapeutic shampoos designed to treat various skin disorders. Our shampoos and cream rinses are purchased from a veterinary supply company and include hypo-allergenic, pramoxine anti-itch, benzoyl peroxide, malaseb for yeast/fungal infections, chlorhexidine for bacterial infections, tar and sulphur medicated shampoo, oatmeal/aloe, leave-in conditioners, and advanced conditioning treatments for dry skin.
