If your dog suffers from allergies to food, particles in the air or other allergens, treating dog allergies should be of primary importance. Pet allergies range from mild to potentially life-threatening, and a significant portion of canines develop allergic reactions over the course of their lifetimes. If your dog suffers from allergies affecting the skin, consider a B vitamin or biotin treatment program to help relieve his symptoms and increase his overall quality of life.
Causes of Allergy-Based Skin Conditions
Canine skin conditions that are allergy-based include seborrhea, dry skin and rashes. If your dog develops red, irritated patches of skin, he may be suffering from an allergy-related skin condition. Keep an eye out for excessive scratching, hair loss and visible sores or dry skin patches. If your dog displays any of these symptoms, take him to a veterinarian for a physical examination and allergy testing.
Your dog’s allergy-based skin condition may be caused by one or more allergens in his environment. Typically, allergies affecting the skin are either atopic (airborne allergens such as dust, mites or other particles) or food-based. Your veterinarian can diagnose your pet’s allergies and help to identify the source of the reaction.
Modifying His Environment
Regardless of how you address your pet’s allergic reaction with medication or supplements, you should primarily modify the environmental factors that contribute to his condition. If your pet’s allergies are food-based, consult with a veterinarian for special, allergen-free diets and pet food brands. Some experimenting may be necessary to isolate the ingredient(s) that affect your pet.
If your pet has a negative reaction to particles in the air of your home, invest in an allergen-limiting air purifier, as well as hypoallergenic bedding. These changes, though small, may dramatically improve your pet’s condition by helping to eliminate some of the most common allergy-inducing particles from the air around your dog.
Treating Skin Allergies with Biotin
Biotin is a B vitamin that is often combined with fatty acids in supplement form to address canine skin conditions caused by allergies. Biotin is available through a prescription, so it's necessary to speak with a veterinarian about the possibility of addressing your pet’s symptoms with it.
Biotin is not effective for every dog and allergy, but the biotin side effects are minimal. Many pet owners find that it substantially decreases their pet’s skin conditions that are based upon allergic reactions.
Biotin is available as either a pill supplement or as a powder that can be mixed with food or water. Because B vitamins are water soluble and therefore pose no risk of toxic buildup in your pet’s system, it's impossible to over-administer biotin to your pet. However, the supplement is costly, and excessive doses will not help to control your pet’s symptoms any more effectively. Follow the product and veterinary instructions for administering biotin to your dog.
With a combination of environmental modification and biotin supplements, you may be able to reduce your pet’s allergy-induced skin conditions and improve both his health and his happiness.