Reddish skin on Groin & Bumps on other Areas

Hello,
You have posted a challenging question. Skin allergies can be quite a mystery, but your dog has provided quite a few *clues* to help us solve the mystery!

He has one or all of the following:
1. Contact allergy
2. Inhaled allergy
3. Food allergy
and in the past, flea allergy.

If he is chewing the TOP of his feet, he probably has ‘inhaled’ allergy to pollen, grasses, weeds, trees, housedust/mold, etc.

If he is chewing the BOTTOM of his feet, he probably has a contact allergy, meaning that he is allergic to something to which he is in contact.

Food allergy, they will have variable skin symptoms, which sometimes occurs together with GI problems such as loose stool, tendency to eat grass, decreased appetite, etc. Improving the diet, (see item #2 below), will help.

From the photos you submitted, the scabs that appear are from ‘superficial’ pyoderma. This is caused by bacteria in the skin. Usually, the *normal* bacteria on the skin cause no problems. But when the skin is inflamed and irritated secondary to allergies, there are changes in pH, hair follicles are enlarged, and bacteria are able to multiply and cause lesions to appear.

Here’s the plan:
1. NO VACCINATIONS. Seek the help of a holistic veterinarian to write an exemption form.
Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

2. DIET: NO DRY FOOD In order to help the skin, he must be on a canned, or even better a RAW food diet. See our page on 10 Best Dog Food Options,

3. Supplements: He may need some immune supplements, but for many dogs with allergies, a RAW diet seems to restore them back to health. I always suggest improvement in diet first, and if not 100% normal, then add in immune support, such as Standard Process Immuplex, or Standard Process Canine Whole Body Support, or Mega C.

TO BE CONTINUED IN PART TWO

March 27, 2014

Here is the rest of my response.

4. CONTROL OF ITCHING-use a natural anti-histamine called *Antronex* this is made by Standard Process, and is a glandular supplement to provide support for the liver. (available on amazon.com) It aids the liver in removing histamine from the system, in effect, acting like an anti-histamine. Give him 1/2 tablet in food or by mouth TWO to THREE times daily to decrease itching and redness.

5. Continue the fish oil–give 250-500mg daily

6. BATHING-use an oatmeal or baby shampoo one time per week. This will remove excess bacteria from the skin, to keep him clean, and will also ‘cool’ the skin, and make him more comfortable. Continue for 4-6 weeks, until skin is more normal.

7. CONTACT ALLERGIES: If all of this started after installing a wool carpet, or after changing to a new laundry detergent, or giving him a new doggy bed, or after fertilizing the lawn or any other ‘new’ contact, AND he is licking the BOTTOM of his feet, then he may have a contact allergy and you will need to remove the offending item. (Of course, if it is a carpet, then you will need to lay down cotton sheets or plastic carpet runners for him to walk on to avoid the carpet.)

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.