Bleeding Face and Itchy Skin

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

Ted's ALWAYS itchy, something we seem to have a constant battle with. Sometimes it's okay and managable with Piriton and Sudocrem, but other times he has really bad flare ups.

Over the past couple of weeks his itching has been litrally constant! He's always got a rash under his front 'armpits' as I call them. Inbetween his toes are bright red and sore from chewing. This morning his face was covered in blood from scratching his cheeks and eyes, and hes rubbing his chin on the carpet causing it to bleed.
I've also noticed that his fur has dandruffy type bits in it and sometimes the insides of his ears go hot and inflamed.

Just after Christmas we had constant trips to the vet to try and get to the bottom of it and in the end were told it's definitely some sort of allergy, most likely food, grass or dust mites.. and we would have to pay £300-£400 for blood tests, with still no 100% chance of finding out what he's allergic too. Found out his pet insurance doesn't cover this!

Tonight I've bathed him in a special shampoo too try and soothe him.
He's also been to the vets for a steroid shot, but this is not something I would like to do regularly.

Are these symptoms familiar to anyone and Is there anything else I could do other than bathe, cream and piriton when it's at its worst?

He's fed James Wellbeloved Fish & Vegetable food and James Wellbeloved treats and has a Stag bar, could this be contributing to the itching?

It's so distressing seeing him like this, as he looks uncomfortable and agitated
Would love to have the tests done to identify exactly whats making him itchy but cannot afford the ridiculous bill right now.

Thanks

Oh poor little Ted. It must be so worrying for you.

I wish I could help but haven't experienced anything like this with any of my dogs, thank goodness, and I can only offer my sympathy and hope that someone comes along soon who has some advice to give you.

Wishing you good luck ....

I'm afraid I would find the money for the vets as its been going on for this long. I take it the vets have carried out scrapes?

No he hasn't had any scrapes, we were told that they would carry blood tests out before anything else. Would you say skin scrapes should be tried first?

Yes, first port of call TBH xx

Thanks, will make an appointment to discuss it because this cant carry on any longer.

Does anyone know roughly how much these scrapes are?

I think scrumpys where around £60 for the consultation plus scrape and she had quite a few which where less expensive about £20/30 and it was £180 for a skin biopsy, but my vets where great and that was 6 years ago, call your vet but I would maybe contact a new one also x

Thanks.

Ill contact another vet just for a second opinion. And hopefully soon will have a happier less itchy Ted!

Good luck Xx