Dermatitis: can we prevent it?

Horses can scratch themselves all year round and not be a problem. But some horses are allergic to external agents, and then violent itching may appear in specific areas. It is very important to identify the elements responsible for this pruritus to adapt the care our horse needs.

VERY IMPORTANT: WHEN DOES HE SCRATCH?

If the horse has been scratching since the spring and the itching stops in the autumn, there are many possibilities that he suffers from equine summer dermatitis. As its name indicates, this pathology appears in summer (or already in spring) and causes very intense itching, initially on the mane and tail, but which can spread to other areas of the body. In recent years, with higher temperatures, these symptoms have appeared sooner and taken longer to disappear, if at all.

The most common causes are insect bites, particularly Culicoides, Stomoxes and Simuli, as well as small mosquitoes and flies. All horses are bitten by these insects, but in some horses there is a skin hyperreaction (strong scratching), which often comes from an internal imbalance (skin dysfunction, weak immune system, etc.) and is increased by insect bites.

The most attacked areas are the base of the tail, the beginning of the mane, the face, the neck, and the ventral line, where hairless areas and wounds often appear. If the allergy intensifies, the tail acquires an aspect called "rat tail", since its appearance resembles this, and the mane ends up completely mutilated. This injury can become deep and leave scars.

 

If we know that our horse suffers from equine summer dermatitis, prevention is very important, as is avoiding insect bites and giving the horse all the help it needs for its immune system and dermis.

Before the first symptoms appear, in the spring or before the hottest seasons, we must add PICOREX to the horse's diet at a preventive dose of 26g/day for a month. With this treatment, we eliminate the toxins in the horse's blood and strengthen the immune system.

Combining the diet with nutritional supplements as beneficial for the horse's health as garlic can prevent the development of allergies since the garlic has repellent properties that prevent flies and mosquitoes from approaching the horse. Besides offering external protection against parasites, garlic is rich in sulfur, which exerts a reinforcing effect on the immune system.

Equi 2000 KNOBLETTEN with garlic, bear‘s garlic, linseed, B-vitamins, and herbs protect the horse from insect bites.

Garlic is well known for its many beneficial properties for the horse:

• Once ingested, the skin secretes garlic essential oils, which has been shown to be effective in repelling insects.
• It sttimulates digestion and metabolism, promoting the development of the natural bacterial flora of the gastrointestinal tract, key to a healthy and strong immune system

The intense sweat of the horse produces a characteristic odor that is very attractive to mosquitoes. With regular cleaning, we will reduce this irresistible odor for Culicoides. Using repellents prevents the approach of mosquitoes, especially in those hours when they act the most. It is very important to use natural repellents, especially if we have dermatitis problems.

DERFLY is a 100% natural repellent against all kinds of insects: flies, mosquitoes, horseflies, ticks, etc. 
It works by masking the horse's odor, providing a deceptive smell that is not attractive to the insect, and by coating the hair with a dry microwax that does not allow the insect to remain in the animal's hair or bite. It offers many advantages: it moisturizes the skin and hair, leaving them silky and shiny; it offers anti-UV protection; it is non-greasy; it is water-resistant; and it does not evaporate. Effectiveness of 48-72h.
 

A good diet is also essential to prevent dermatitis.
It is important to avoid any nutritional imbalance or changes in the diet during critical moments or at peaks of allergy, since this produces stress and is counterproductive for the dermatological condition.

OMEGA OIL is a blend of natural oils rich in the essential fatty acids OMEGA 3, OMEGA 6 and OMEGA 9, that boost the immune system and improve skin conditions.
 

Overfeeding or, on the contrary, a diet deficient in nutrients can make our horse more susceptible to suffering from this pathology. For this reason, it is essential to provide a diet rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and essential oligoelements such as iron, zinc, magnesium, etc.

Relative to handling, we also recommend:

In the event that the first itching appears, we must apply, as soon as possible, a topical product to the affected areas to relieve the itching and ensure that the problem does not worsen.

DERFEN (available in lotion and cream) has proven to be very effective in these cases to stop itching, minimize it, and help hair grow back in affected areas.

100% natural lotion that provides effective, immediate, and long-lasting relief from itching. Its formula in lotion or cream acts on each type of skin allergy and restores the skin's natural defenses. The plant active ingredients it contains act synergistically to soothe inflammation, regenerate damaged skin and promote hair growth.



It is also recommended to use a dermatological shampoo for horses, such as DERFEN SHAMPOO, which also has a calming effect.


DERFEN SHAMPOO: an extremely mild dermatological shampoo to soothe, purify, and restore the physiological balance of damaged skin prone to itching.