Well if you're going to do it, do it properly...

Charlie started itching uncontrollably and developed a rash which became infected. My vet did some tests on him and it turns out that he's got quite extensive contact dermatitis. He's sensitive to all grasses, nearly all trees, fleas and mould. He's very allergic to dust mites and storage mites. He's also dietary sensitive to beef and lamb. As per the title, if you're going to do it - do it properly!

Steroids have cleared the rash but he can't stay on those forever. The next step is finding a good antihistamine for him and perhaps allergy injection therapy. The vet says that it's a case of finding a management plan, but a friend said that her dog eventually grew out of the allergies. Here's hoping!

I've thoroughly hoovered and mite sprayed my soft furnishings, Charlie isn't allowed on long grass or in wooded areas until the summer pollen onslaught is over, and I have to baby wipe the affected areas after walks, and/or use a barrier cream. Luckily there's a load of paved cycle paths near me that we can walk on. The beef/lamb avoidance is easier to do, one of my cats has a wheat allergy. Special animals tend to find me!

Anyone with experience of skin allergies?

Oh no poor Charlie ><

I'm afraid I've no experience but there are people on here that do so you should get some advise soon, I think Piriton is the best antihistamine for dogs, that is what I use anyway

Thanks Sazzle! We did try piriton, had no effect on him - perhaps because it's contact allergies rather than respiratory or dietary?

Charlie got all excited today because the postman told him he was lovely!

Awww and so he is
Daisy gets excited with any contact with anyone!! Seriously you'd think she'd never seen another person sometimes!!

As is Daisy!

I always encourage people to say hello to Charlie if they show interest in him. I remember how happy an unexpected doggy cuddle made me during my dog-less years.

Thanks
You can't beat a doggy cuddle

Oh poor Charlie, reacting to so much of the things on God's earth.

I'm afraid that I can't offer any advice as thankfully I haven't experienced this problem myself with any of my dogs - all I can say is that several human children of my acquaintance have shown allergic reactions to various everyday stimuli and have "grown out of it", without exception, ie their systems have learned to accept and overcome whatever it was that was triggering a reaction. I do hope that this is what will happen with Charlie, as his immune defence becomes stronger.

Hugs for Charlie ><

Afraid I can't offer too much advice, Chiquito has very sensitive skin and it appears there may be allergies but we haven't gotten to the bottom of it yet. We have just used steroids to clear up a rash that was persisting and had become sore, as you say though this is only a temporary fix.

I have been using apple cider vinegar as a wipe over for his belly/underarms - it helps to reduce yeast in these areas. Calendula or green tea infusions - to relieve itchy spots. He gets a full rub over with oatmeal conditioner two/three times a week - it helps to 'toughen' his skin. I clean him with a damp cloth every time we go walking, especially his belly, legs and underarms. He gets fish oil and I have changed him to a raw diet.

I am also told that Neem is good however I have not tried it.

Aww no poor Charlie, big hugs for you all, darcy has allergies not as servere as Charlie but her paws get really bad, itching and red and can have little sores on
we give her piriton twice a day, which doesn't always works but manages to keep it a bay a lot of the time.

I try to stay away from steroids if I can cause they're not a great solution in the long term, as you said. We was her feet after every walk, I add a bit of ACV too & rub her down with a damp cloth too. Sudocrem is great for soothing itching, I also use dermacton cream on her sores on her feet which heals them in a day or so

Good luck with Charlie & I hope you manage to get it under control

I'm always banging on about vitamin b complex - add to his meal everyday and this will help strengthen his immune system.
Feed a good quality grain free diet too.
Apple cider vinegar can help a host of issues, also as suggested, wipe him off with a damp cloth when he's been out.

Definitely try adding ACV to his food

The best antihistamine IMO is high strength Vitamin C and you feed it the bowel tolerance of your dog.

Diet wise i would try raw BUT if thats not feasible for you then a high quality grain free one.

Also add coconut oil to his food plus rub it through his coat and over the skin where it's irritated

If he seems particularly bad I would give him bovine colostrum to boost his immune system

Thanks for all the things to try, brilliant advice!

He's started to lick at his groin and belly again so on went the cone today along with the sudocrem. I'm going into town on Tuesday so I'll pick up some stuff you've mentioned then.

Another thing I'm going to try is giving him half a teaspoon of locally farmed honey a day. It really helps to calm down my friend's severe hay fever, so hopefully it will help Charlie too. He'll certainly find it tasty!

Yea definitely try the local honey my OH has a spoonful of local honey each day as he gets really bad hayfever which means his asthma plays up and it helps him loads