What’s an allergy bath for dogs, and does your dog need one?

If you have a dog who suffers from skin allergies (also called allergic dermatitis), it’s likely that you’ll do anything to give your poor itchy pooch some relief. Allergies in dogs are complicated, and often require a range of treatments and management strategies to keep symptoms under control. So, should you be bathing your dog as part of their treatment plan? Read on for more information!

Dog allergies – causes and symptoms

Allergies occur when a dog’s immune system mistakenly identifies something non-harmful, such as pollen, as a threat and launches an immune response.

Dogs with allergies also tend to have a weak skin barrier (you can think of the skin barrier as a brick wall, where the skin cells are the bricks and the fats holding them together, the mortar):

The skin cells are not held together properly, allowing allergens to penetrate, and water to escape from the skin making the skin dry and itchy: the “mechanical” barrier of the skin is therefore compromised;
The ‘good bacteria’ which normally live on the skin are reduced, leaving room for other bacteria and yeasts to take over and cause infections, compromising the microbiological barrier; 
The skin’s local immunity is also compromised with inflammation and other changes associated with allergic conditions.

This is why it’s so important to care for allergic dogs’ skin properly. Bathing has a very important role in helping not only restore the skin barrier and function, but also in clearing offending allergens, dirt and even infectious agents from the skin.

So, what exactly causes allergies in dogs?

Here are some common allergens:

Flea saliva
Dust mites
Pollens, grasses, and other environmental triggers
Food allergens (often protein sources such as chicken or beef)

And what are the symptoms of skin allergies in dogs?

Allergic dermatitis is a common condition in dogs and causes quite a wide range of symptoms. Signs can vary from mild irritation through to extremely itchy and sore skin. The most common parts of the body affected are the belly, paws, ears, groin, and armpits, although any area of skin can be affected.

Here are some of the most common symptoms:

Itching and other manifestations of itch such as scratching, rubbing, chewing, etc.
Eczema
Red skin
Hair loss (alopecia)
Rash
Dark, thickened skin
Dry or greasy skin

Managing allergies in dogs

Allergies are complicated and very individual to each dog, and so each management plan is different and can be adjusted over time. Always discuss a treatment plan with your veterinary surgeon. Treatments will depend on various factors, including your dog’s suspected or known allergens, their symptoms and other health factors, and may well develop over time. In any case, bringing ingredients where needed is always beneficial.

Benefits of baths in allergic dogs

The skin is the largest organ, and a huge benefit of shampoos, such as DOUXO® S3 CALM, is their immediate placement onto the areas affected by allergic disease, delivering the active ingredients right where they are needed and helping restructure the skin.

Bathing has a very important role in restoring skin function:

Shampoos clean the skin and coat, removing dirt and debris as well as allergens such as pollens.
Gently cleaning away flaky, crusty skin from inflamed areas to bring instant relief.
Remove infectious agents such as bacteria and yeasts and re-populate with the ‘good bacteria’ that healthy skin requires.
Direct application of soothing relief to sore, inflamed areas. Ingredients such as Ophytrium found in the DOUXO S3 CALM range help calm and strengthen your dog’s skin barrier, hydrate and soothe the skin while avoiding the adhesion of the bad bacteria.

How to bathe an allergic dog

If you have a dog, you’re probably familiar with the bath process. But the truth is there are some things you should do if you want to make the most of the shampoo you’re using!

Here are some tips:

Promoting a positive experience – bath time can be an enjoyable bonding moment for you and your dog. As allergic dogs often benefit from frequent bathing, making an effort to promote a positive experience is immensely beneficial. Making sure that your dog is well-exercised, taking the time to bathe it calmly and not rushing, and offering lots of rewards will help achieve this.
Proper technique is key – before applying the shampoo, ensure your dog is thoroughly wet. Then, massage the shampoo into the skin, insisting on areas that are itchy, red, and/or have scabs. A stand-time of 5-10 minutes is really important at this point to allow the ingredients to penetrate the skin where they are needed. Rinse your dog until the water runs clean to make sure the shampoo is completely removed at the end.
Consistency – bathing helps repair the skin barrier and also relieves itchiness in the allergic dog. But for the products to be the most effective, it should be done regularly. The truth is life gets in the way and fitting weekly baths or even twice weekly baths into our routines might not always be feasible and not the most effective. Fortunately, there are complementary galenic formulas you can use that allow you to continue to care for your dog’s skin, such as mousses and pads with no compromise on efficacy and no bath needed.