Home Treatments for Dog Rash

Under the guidance of your vet, you can augment or substitute clinical treatments for a dog rash with home and over-the-counter remedies that do not require a prescription.

Causes and Symptoms of a Dog Rash

A dog rash can be caused by parasite (fleas or mites) infestations, allergic reactions, fungal infections and yeast infections.

Symptoms of a dog rash include:

  • redness
  • pimples
  • crusting
  • hives
  • dandruff
  • bald spots
  • secondary bacterial infections

To get rid of a dog rash, you need to treat both the causes and the symptoms of the skin disease. You can do that by incorporating a variety of home treatments into a skin care regimen.

Treating Rashes Caused by External Parasite Infestation

Most dogs get fleas, and some are allergic to saliva in the bites, registered on the skin as itching and irritation. Try these home remedies to get rid of fleas, and the rashes they cause:

  • Grooming your dog's coat daily with a fine-toothed flea comb
  • Bathing your dog with flea-repellent herbs (like pennyroyal or eucalyptus oil) added to the water
  • Dusting your dog with natural powders, containing herbs such as rosemary, rue, wormwood, pennyroyal, eucalyptus, or citronella and tobacco powder
  • Adding garlic and brewer's yeast to the daily diet, even rubbing the yeast into your dog's coat
  • Washing your dog's bedding in hot, soapy water once a week and drying it on the hot setting in the dryer once a week
  • Vacuuming rugs every two to three days

Several types of worms and mites can wreak havoc on the health of your dog's skin, causing severe itching and a painful rash. Non-prescription and home remedies that help eradicate parasites on your dog's skin include:

  • Vitamins, which help your dog fight worm and mite infestations, as well as infections from self-injury due to severe itching
  • Dermisil for Pet Mange combined with Dermisil Herbal Pet Shampoo, which kills mites
  • Dermisil for Pet Ringworm (transmitted to your dog in fungal spores) combined with Dermisil Herbal Pet Shampoo
  • Sulfa dips
  • Dermisil Benzarid Environmental Spray, which treats your dog's living quarters
  • Fossil shell dust, spread on flooring and furniture, even the cracks, and plants and grass.
  • Neem oil added to the bath
  • Borax and hydrogen peroxide washes

Treating Eczema Caused by Yeast Infections at Home

Eczema symptoms, known as "hot spots," vary from dog to dog and may include a rash; dry, scaly skin; or oozing bumps. Home remedies for eczema include:

  • Primrose oil added to food
  • Need Leaf Tea added to food
  • Marigold, witch hazel, graphite bath rinses

Treating Skin Rash with Walking Dandruff at Home

A skin rash with "walking dandruff" is caused by the cheyletiella mite. Home treatments for this skin disease include:

  • Flaxseed oil and fish oil, added to food, which provide omega-3 fatty acids that promote healthy skin and coat
  • Pumpkin seeds, which also provide coat-enhancing omega-3 fatty acids
  • Vitamin E, an antioxidant in nutritional supplements, which can help rid your dog's coat of dandruff

Treating Dog Rash Symptoms with Home Remedies

No matter the cause, the symptoms of a dog rash can cause extreme, prolonged discomfort for your dog. They can be soothed or eliminated by a number of treatments you can administer at home-ask your vet for more:

  • Oatmeal-based shampoos and conditioners
  • Aloe vera ointments
  • Green tea and chamomile tea rinses
  • Canine hydrocortisone ointments
 

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