Home Remedies for Dry Skin on Dogs

While your puppy or dog may be a playful little companion for you, and you probably believe that having a pet is all fun and games, the truth is even this little one is prone to its own set of problems and illnesses. Among the many problems that afflict dogs is that of dry skin. It may be manageable in the initial stages, but later gets worse when the itching sets in due to skin problems. Dry skin usually indicates a problem with your dogs health, that most probably, it is not getting the nutrients it requires for healthy skin. Another reason that may contribute to dry skin on your dog is that you are over bathing it. The chemicals in the shampoos, etc. that you use to clean your dogs may strip their skin off its natural moisture, thereby, leaving it dry. Fortunately, these conditions can be remedied at home by following some simple steps.

Home Remedies

The following remedies are suitable when the condition is not too serious. If you find that your dogs skin is too dry and is becoming itchy, visit the vet immediately, who will then treat it with appropriate medication.

• Use a special shampoo meant for dry skin on dogs. Just like our skin is prone to drying out in winters, so is the case with dogs. As such, in the winters, dont bathe your dog too often, and use a shampoo that has been specifically made for dogs with dry skin. This will ensure that its skin does not dry out as much.
• Pet your dog often. Petting your dog often will promote the circulation of natural oils in the dogs skin, that will then keep the skin moisturized. Alternately, you may also brush your dogs coat often to ensure this circulation. Brushing will also get rid of the flaky skin and promote the development of healthy new skin.
• Improve your dogs diet. As mentioned earlier, more often than not, dog health problems emerge from a poor diet. Thus, give your pet high-grade dog food that is meant to improve its overall health, and the quality of its skin and coat. It has been found that adding a teaspoon of olive oil or flaxseed oil to your dogs food will treat dry skin on dogs belly and every other body part, and make it healthy. Flaxseed oil consists of omega 3 essential fatty acids that are a good nutrient for healthy skin.
• Try an oatmeal bath. Dog health experts suggest that soaking your dog in colloidal oatmeal while bathing, for about 15 minutes, will relieve the itchy skin that is most often the result of dry skin.
• Tackle the source of dry skin. Sometimes dry skin in dogs is caused due to parasitic infestations. For instance, if you notice dry skin on dogs ears, it is probably ear mites in dogs that are causing the itching and the associated dry skin. Use some mineral oil dipped in a cotton ball on the affected area to get rid of the ear mites and relieve the itching and dry skin temporarily.
• Use olive oil on the affected area. Many a time you will notice dry skin on a localized patch and nowhere else on its body. For instance, a lot of people have noticed dry skin on dogs nose without a trace of any other illness. This can be treated simply by applying a swab of cotton lightly dipped in olive oil on the affected area, as many times as required, to treat it.

If these home remedies do not work, visiting your vet is your best option. In some cases, dry skin may be a symptom of some other health condition your pet may be afflicted with. Further, too much dry skin attracts fleas and other insects that only worsen the condition. As such, treat the condition as soon as you notice these problems, either with the aforementioned home remedies, or by consulting the vet.

Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.

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Skin lesion removal aftercare MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Skin lesion removal-aftercare: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

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Skin Cancer Check Do Some Sole Searching MedlinePlus

Skin Cancer Check? Do Some Sole-Searching: MedlinePlus

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Skin Rashes on Dogs

The health problem of skin rashes is a serious one in dogs. Owners of dogs need to be careful while dealing with this problem. The problem of skin rashes are difficult to control and might trouble the affected dog for a long period. To know whether a dog is really affected, one should diagnose the skin to check if it looks flaky, red in color or is swollen in appearance. Generally, the dogs nibble on or scratch the affected part.

Rashes on Dogs Skin

Rashes are one of the commonly observed dog health problems. Let us have a look at the symptoms, causes and treatments to be used for skin rashes, which would further help in dog care.

Symptoms
Itchy skin is the commonly observed symptom of rashes on dogs skin. Rashes with itchy skin are difficult to detect, since many of the dogs are just habituated to scratching the skin while others have a genuine skin rash problem. Ear infections that are chronic or recurrent in their occurrence is also one of the symptoms of skin rash. Some of the other symptoms include hair loss, frequent bowel movements, skin infection, etc.

Causes
The primary causes of rashes in dogs are atopy, food allergies, environmental allergies and parasites such as ticks, fleas, lice and worms.

Atopy: It is the allergy to molds, pollens, dust mites, etc. exhibited by dogs which could either be genetic or acquired over time. The canine breeds, like, Terrier, Retriever, Setter, Chinese Shar-Pei, Dalmatian, etc. are likely to suffer from this allergy. The symptom shown by dogs in this case is itching around the feet, lower belly, chest and the face. Differentiating atopy from other causes of skin rash is difficult due to the similarity in their symptoms. Blood tests are thus conducted to determine the exact cause of skin rash.

Food Allergies: The food allergies also lead to the occurrence of skin rashes in dogs. Exposure to certain proteins or allergens lead to food allergies in dogs. A hypersensitive reaction to some of the proteins results into skin rashes on dogs.

Environmental allergies: The toxic environmental pollutants are also responsible for this skin condition in dogs. Some of the chemicals used for spraying in the house could result into the development of skin rash in dogs. The pollutants like toxic fumes emitted from chemicals could be one of the reasons behind skin rashes.

Treatment
The following treatments would help in providing relief from rashes in dogs.

Milk of Magnesia: It is a soothing substance which when applied on dogs skin with the help of a cotton ball provides relief from dry, itchy and irritated skin.

Aloe Vera Cream: The aloe vera herb is known for its natural healing powers and could be applied to the dogs skin directly or in the form of creams or lotions.

Baking Soda: Using baking soda gives instant relief from itching. The soda is mixed in water before application to the skin.

Oatmeal Shampoo with Aloe: It is used for dogs which are prone to skin rashes. Oat does the work of keeping the coat healthy while aloe is beneficial in healing the skin.

The above treatments, thus, help in not only relieving rashes on dogs but also maintaining the overall dog health. One should, however, determine the specific causes of skin rashes and then proceed further.

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Seolhyun opens up about her CF income tanned skin on Happy Together 3

Article: Happy Together 3 Seolhyun, "My CF panel sold for up to 130,000 won" proud

Source: TV Report via Naver



1. [+3,605, -389] Seolhyun screwed up for sure but I think our knowledge of history in general has gone too. There were a lot of people on another TV show who couldnt differentiate between Kim Goo and Ahn Joong Geun... even more shocking were junior and high school students who named Samiljeol wrong.

2. [+4,441, -712] There is no future to a country whos forgotten its past

3. [+3,998, -596] This is... just the downfall for it. But its her mistake that caused it so theres no way of defending her.

4. [+3,077, -320] Her image has taken such a hit ??

5. [+1,310, -134] And why exactly is she proud of that? And why is she so confidently out on variety shows right now.. ????????????

6. [+1,237, -131] Pretty sure she was cut form that CF after her dumb brain was revealed

7. [+1,156, -132] Cant stand her anymore...

8. [+1,097, -116] Whoever bought her panel for 130,000 won is now an idiot ???

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Article: Seolhyun clarifies 30 billion won CF income "Just an estimation"

Source: 10asia via Nate

1. [+278, -54] No point anymore since shes going to be cut from all her CFs now

2. [+255, -39] It was media play, not an estimation... FNCs total CF income was 39 billion won. Just how hard did they exaggerate by claiming that seolhyun made all of that alone?

3. [+206, -47] You were over the minute you messed up Ahn Joong Geun

4. [+35, -5] Ive been watching Yoo Jae Suk for 10 years now and Ive never seen him so uncomfortable

5. [+24, -1] Shes pretty but she proves that idols just get crushed next to actresses... and her skin is so dark too ?? shes no top class. And her image of being dumb is too engrained now...

6. [+9, -2] The biggest bubble Ive ever seen in my life, bubbles like her need to screw off

7. [+9, -3] Seolhyun has shot 21 CFs (including with AOA) so far and she was paid 150 million won in March (public information) so how does 21 x 1.5 = 30 billion won ??????? For perspective, the top female CF stars in Korea make a little over 10 billion won (like Jun Ji Hyun levle)

8. [+8, -3] What a joke, when someone claimed she made 30 billion won on Radio Star, she didnt refute or deny it. Did she forget that already, tin can brains?

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Article: Seolhyun, "Embarrassment over my two tone face at award ceremony? I was trying to hide my dark skin"

Source: X Sports News via Daum

1. [+1,078, -148] Why not try hiding your brain too...

2. [+1,333, -429] Her face just oozes this cheapness to it. Even when shes smiling, she looks so gloomy and depressed. Instead of giving people positive energy with her smile, she gives them a sense of gloom.

3. [+818, -138] Itd be hilarious if she answered questions about her complexes by saying her level of history knowledge

4. [+508, -42] Does she not realize that this is not the time to be sitting there talking about her dark skin and bare face? Does she not realize the gravity of this issue?

5. [+528, -80] Shes trying hard, isnt she... her face looks so sad. There are some dark skinned people who look sexy and classy but she just looks tacky and countrified. After seeing her without her sexy make up on Brave Family and Law of the Jungle, she looks like one of those kids youd see around your local supermarket...

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Article: Seolhyun, "My perfect waist line? It folds over when I lay down" honest

Source: MBN TV via Nate

1. [+726, -134] Shes showing how bad she is at acting on a variety show right now

2. [+668, -189] Doesnt study history, fakes her tears, has the determination level of T-ara on shoving herself on TV shows... whatever the case, jail Kangin

3. [+550, -63] Unless youre super skinny, doesnt everyone have their waist fold over when they lay down?

4. [+56, -17] Its obvious shes being shameless and just trying to shove through this controversy but I wish shed stop. But of course the idiot men without brains will probably still be drooling over her.

5. [+52, -8] She got popular for ridiculous reasons, its about time she lost that popularity too

6. [+50, -11] After seeing her on this show, its like shes holding on to her teeth with her mouth.. she cant keep it shut

7. [+44, -8] All I can see is her teeth... why does she keep her mouth open like that? Must be a habit

8. [+35, -2] Shes not the smart type... shes the type that the more you hear her talk, the less it does for her image. Theres a lot of things she lacks in when you listen to the words she chooses and the way she strings together her sentences. That can be a charm in itself but she needs to learn more things inside her head

-

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Hautelook Haul The Balm Cosmetics And Skin Care

*This post contains affiliate links. A small percentage, stipend or credit helps to support my blog without any additional charge to you. 


A month or so ago, I placed an order on Hautelook when The Balm Cosmetics had a sale. I had wanted to try out a few of their products and I was almost out of face wash and make up remover so I justified trying out some new products.

I took all these pictures REALLY LATE AT NIGHT which is why I look like crap.

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Kidney Skin Detox May 2016 Townsend Letter Alternative Medicine Magazine

Kidney Skin Detox (May 2016) Townsend Letter, Alternative Medicine Magazine

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Canine Skin Diseases

Skin diseases are one of the most common ailments in dogs. In most cases, skin disorders are caused due to infections and allergic reactions. Dog allergies affect the skin, rather than the respiratory tract observed in humans. The immune system of a dog produces excess antibodies (histamines) after exposure to allergens present in the environment such as pollens, foods and microbes. This overreaction of immune system causes itching and skin disease in dogs. At times, dog skin problems occur as a result of other underlying dog health problems. Hence, coat color and skin condition are often considered as indicators to determine the general health of your pet dog.

Types and Symptoms

Canine skin diseases can be acute (self-limiting) or chronic (long-term). Some dog breeds like Terrier and Retrieversare more prone to skin problems than others. Based on the cause, dog skin disorders are categorized into four major types, namely, bacterial, fungal, parasitic and allergic.

Bacterial Skin Infection
Staph bacteria or Staphylococci is a major causal organism for bacterial skin infection in dogs. The trunk portion and ears are most susceptible to bacterial infection (pyodermas). Nevertheless, symptoms may spread to the whole body of the pet. Some of the common symptoms of bacterial skin infection are rashes, pustules, hot spots, loss of hair in patches and severe itching.

Fungal Skin Infection
Fungal skin infection in dogs is referred to as ringworm. It is often observed in puppies, rather than older dogs. The fungus usually inhabits the skin, nails and hair. Head and legs are commonly affected by ringworm. Loss of hair is one of the early symptoms of fungal skin infection in dogs. If symptoms remain untreated, infection may progress leading to dry and crusty skin lesions.

Parasitic Skin Disease
Dogs are susceptible to various parasites including fleas and dust mites. The disease caused by mites is called mange. Parasitic skin disease can affect any part of the dogs body; common symptoms include crusty skin, irritation in affected areas, itching, lesions, inflammation and loss of hair.

Allergic Skin Disease
This can be caused due to dog food allergy, chemical allergy (present in soaps, detergents), insect bites and stings. Among these, atopic dermatitis is the most common. It is developed due to inhalation of pollutants such as pollens, dust and molds. This can affect dogs at any stage, especially young dogs between one to three years. Symptoms of atopy are rash, scratching, self-biting and itching in the face, ears and foot.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Since there are varied reasons for the cause of canine skin diseases, it is often difficult to evaluate the exact cause of the condition. Diagnosis is usually based on the physical examination and medical history of the affected dog. In order to evaluate any underlying dog diseases, the veterinarian may conduct blood tests, urine and stool analysis and skin biopsy. After correct diagnosis and evaluation of the source of allergy, the veterinarian may prescribe certain medication and remedies for treatment.

Actual treatment of dog skin disease is based on the cause of the skin problem. In case of bacterial skin infection, the vet may prescribe antibiotic course for about three weeks. Other common treatment procedures include topical ointments and medications such as antihistamines (to cope up with the effects of histamines), corticosteroids and immunotherapy. Antihistamines can be used effectively in all age groups, whereas corticosteroids are more effective among young dogs. For older dogs, more strong medications are necessary for the treatment.

If disease is developed due to allergies, the best way to prevent such problems is to avoid exposure to the particular allergy-causing agent. For chronic dog skin diseases, the pet may be required to administer medications throughout its life. In case, a dog displays increased itching or change in behavior, it is advisable to consult and seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian. Timely treatment along with proper dog care is always recommended to avoid other health complications.

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Skin Disorders In Dogs

Dogs skin and coat serve as indicator of the pets health. Itching, skin rashes, or very dry skin and fur loss are the common indications of skin disorders in dogs. Some of these disorders have such a long run, that dog owners need to have a continuous follow-up regarding persistent treatments. The animals fur and skin are the major areas which are affected by the diseases which may be inherited or congenital. Treatment is typically topical by nature, however, in some cases, they might require to take the medicines internally.

Canine Skin Problems

Alopecia
Alopecia [loss of hair (especially on the head) or loss of wool or feathers] in dogs are most commonly caused due to parasites, hormonal imbalances and allergies. The symptoms of alopecia in dogs simply include loss of hair on certain places on the body. Itching, scratching and abnormal changes to the skin itself, may also be noticed.

Black Skin Disease
The black skin disease is among the common skin problems found in dogs. Symptoms of hair fall, darkening of the skin and in some cases, inflammation or infection of the skin may crop up. Causes have not been identified yet and this disease seems to occur mostly after puberty.

Dermatitis
If you happen to see your pet itching persistently, then it might indicate a case of dermatitis. Causes of the disease are many and some of the common causes are bacterial, fungal, yeast, or parasitic infection, food allergies or sensitivities, nutritional deficiencies, sunburn, etc.

Skin Allergies
Skin allergies in dogs may be classified under food allergies, atopic allergies, flea bites, bacteria allergies and contact allergies. Dry and flaky skin, development of sores on the skin, inflammation of skin, nasal or eye discharge, constant itching and licking of skin, etc., are some common symptoms of such problems.

Ringworm
Ringworm is also a common skin problem that most dogs suffer from. Symptoms specifically include hair loss, circular pattern of the hair loss, scaly patches of skin and breaking off hair easily.

Yeast Infection
Another common of all skin diseases that affect dogs is a yeast infection. Itchy scalp, skin rashes, inflamed pimples with flaky edge are the prominent symptoms. Candida albicans give rise to yeast infection in dogs, when they start to overgrow in their intestinal tract. This arises when the immune system of the animals weakens and the number of friendly bacteria dwindles, allowing the candida albicans to shift from yeast form to fungal form.

Sarcoptic Mange In Dogs
The parasite Sarcoptes scabiei causes this disease in dogs of all ages and breeds. Hair loss and severe itching are the major signs. It is common to find the affected dogs scratching their elbows, ears, chest, belly, apart from ears and hocks.

Hot Spots
Occurring most commonly in the warmer months of the year, hot spots refer to localized areas of skin inflammation and infection that affect dogs that have heavy and dense coats. These skin disorders tend to worsen rapidly as dogs keep on licking and chewing the affected areas, to get relief from the pain.

Treatment can be best sought for and understood by a qualified veterinarian. Generally, antihistamines, antibiotics, antifungal medications and topical ointments are included in the prescription for the treatment of the diseases. Typically, the treatment is proceeded after diagnosing the cause of the disorder and a proper diagnosis often makes way for a successful treatment. Dietary changes and regular skin and coat maintenance also help in reducing any future risks of developing such diseases in dogs.

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Skin Bumps on Dogs

When a dog suffers from any skin complications, it becomes very frustrating for the owner. So your pet needs proper care to avoid any kind of diseases. Due to unhygienic conditions, your dog may suffer from different kinds of skin allergies, one of them being skin bumps. These bumps are mainly of two kinds, small bumps and large bumps. Small bumps are referred to as papules while the large ones are referred to as nodules. In order to treat different types of bumps, proper diagnosis and microscopic examination are required.

Skin bumps on dogs can make your pet restless. They will tend to scratch endlessly due to itchy skin. Excessive scratching can cause the skin to redden and may also give rise to other skin infections like hot spots, rashes, etc. Your pet will also tend to appear irritated and you will observe a sudden change in your dogs behavior.

Causes of Skin Bumps on Dogs

Contact with Allergens
One of the commonly observed causes of skin bumps on dogs is their contact with allergens. Different kinds of allergens like dust, pollens, etc. are present in the environment which can have an adverse effect on the dogs skin resulting in bumps. Tiny organisms like virus and bacteria are also responsible to some extent for the development of skin bumps. These allergens can severely affect the dogs health.

Insect Bite
Another common reason which can give rise to skin bumps is insect bite. The bumps which are developed due to insect bites do not require any kind of treatment, most of the time and they heal within a week or two. But if the insect is venomous, then appropriate treatment is required. At times, bite from such kind of insects can trigger other dog illnesses.

Plugging of Oil Glands
Plugging of oil glands is also responsible for bumps in dogs. If the oil glands are plugged, they block the pores on the surface of the skin, thereby giving rise to a cyst-like appearance in that area.

Other Common Reasons
Cancer can also be one of the reasons for the development of these kinds of bumps. In such cases, diagnosis and treatment at the right time is a must. Constant licking of a particular area by the dog can also give rise to bump. Other reasons responsible for this problem is excessive or deficient production of hormones. If dog worms, affect your dog, the skin becomes sensitive to different infections, and hence, it may become more susceptible to bumps.

Treatment Options

Keeping the dogs skin clean may help in curing bumps. Make sure to bathe your pet in warm water regularly. This will help in keeping the dogs skin clean and will also help in killing bacteria and other allergens which are responsible for these kinds of bumps. You can use shampoos with antibiotic property and those which contain benzoyl peroxide as they are effective in killing harmful bacteria. Cover the bumps with bandage or use collars which prevent the situation from aggravating.

If you notice skin bumps on your pet dog, take him to a veterinarian immediately to check the severity of the condition. Most of the time, these bumps can be treated with the help of medications. But in some cases, if the bumps become chronic, then surgical operation has to be performed in order to remove it. In most cases, the bumps heal within a few days of starting the medication. But, if in case these are cancerous bumps, they might take time to heal completely. Other than that, take care that your dog does not lick the skin bump else, it can aggravate the situation.

These are the commonly observed reasons for skin bumps on dogs. Other than that, canine acne, reaction to a drug or injection, etc. are also responsible for the bumps. If appropriate treatment measures are not taken, the skin bumps on dogs might become severe and even spread to other parts of the body. Keep your dog well-groomed and clean in order to keep it away from skin bumps and other dog allergies. Feeding your dog with healthy dog foods is important, so make sure to consult your vet on the appropriate food you need to feed your pet.

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