Why does my dog’s skin look pink? Let’s Explore

by

Other Ways to Provide Allergy Relief

A dog owner can find additional ways to make their dog feel better and mitigate skin allergy symptoms.

Dr. Ritchie has several suggestions for treatments that sound similar to anyone whos visited a day spa:

  • “Theres nothing better than a great, full-body massage to make a dogs eyes roll back in his head with pleasure, whether they itch or not.”
  • She also recommends a periodic Dead Sea anti-dandruff salt scrub at bath time to exfoliate and deep-clean the skin and follicles. “Dogs LOVE this.”

    • Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is an ingredient found in most pet shampoos. Its used frequently because its what makes shampoo foamy. Its also a known irritant and allergen. Dr. Ritchie cautions owners to, “Use an organic shampoo bar, which is made from soothing vegetable and essential oils and contains nothing else.”

    Another piece of advice from Dr. Ritchie is to have your dog wear a T-shirt, either made for dogs or a human one. This can protect the dogs skin and also cover up the skin treatments so they can work on your dog without being rubbed off or licked away.

    If you prefer a natural solution to help your dog, Dr. Ritchie advises you to focus first on prevention.

  • Your dog should be eating a quality diet. “We usually recommend feeding a raw diet, and there are a few really great ones out there, organically raised without antibiotics.”
  • Likewise, look at all products you give your dogs, such as treats. “Eliminate all products with SLS, steroids, or petroleum products.” If youre not sure what an ingredient is, use reputable sources online for more information.
  • Keep their immune system functioning at its peak with plenty of exercise and fresh air.
  • Cooling sea salt soaks can provide temporary relief for a dog whos already itching.

    • There are other natural solutions you can do at home to provide your dog with relief. Discuss these with your veterinarian first before using them on your dog.

  • PetMD suggests making a poultice of ground oatmeal and water for inflamed skin. You can also add it to your dogs bath.
  • Licorice root can help reduce itchiness, although you must discuss it with your veterinarian first. It can cause problems if given along with cortisone administered by your veterinarian.
  • Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties and can benefit your dogs overall health when added to their kibble. You can also use it topically to soothe irritated skin.
  • Olive oil is another oil you can use both in a dogs meals and on their skin, which can provide relief for your dogs inflamed skin.
  • Apple cider vinegar mixed in a spray bottle with an equal amount of water can be an effective source of relief for your dogs itchy skin.

    • Dr. Ritchies skin care products, “Treat the allergic response to the allergen by boosting the cellular immunity, reducing inflammation, and eliminating or preventing any potential infection or infestation.”

  • She explains that DERMagic can provide relief only. “We need to be very clear on this point. Nothing short of immunotherapy or complete avoidance of the allergen cures an allergy. DERMagic products do not treat the allergy itself.”
  • DERMagic is absolutely guaranteed to eliminate mange and other parasites, and fungus, as well, including yeast infections, Dr. Ritchie states.
  • Its a Made in the USA product line that is commercially available without a prescription.
  • The active ingredients in the hot spot formulas penetrate deeply into the skin and follicles where these parasites can hide and thrive, and where its difficult for other treatments (whether internal or external) to reach, Dr. Ritchie adds.

    • Knowing the symptoms of an allergy is important in order to ensure your dog gets a proper diagnosis. “Often, what might appear to be an allergy is really an invisible infestation of mites or a bacterial or fungal infection deep in the skin. This type of condition is very often misdiagnosed as an allergy, and it will not respond well to the usual treatments of steroids and antibiotics.”

    If youre concerned about your dogs skin, these are the signs of common skin conditions:

  • If you notice red sores on your dogs body, this can be a symptom of skin mite dermatitis. Other symptoms include flaking skin and scaling.
  • A red rash appearing on your dogs belly could indicate a number of problems, and you should bring them to a vet immediately. Some common conditions related to a rash on a dogs belly and inner thighs are:
    • A skin infection such as pyoderma or yeast dermatitis
    • Parasites such as ringworm, fleas, or ticks
    • Diseases of the endocrine system (i.e., Cushings disease, thyroid disease)
    • Toxic plants
    • Impetigo is a staph infection that is primarily found in puppies.
    • Certain breeds of dogs, such as German Shepherds, Bulldogs, and Poodles, have a genetic predisposition to rashes.
  • A collection of sores, scabs, and red bumps on a dog can be a symptom of superficial bacterial folliculitis. This condition can occur along with other skin conditions such as allergies and mange.
  • Loss of hair combined with dry flakes on a dogs skin most likely indicates a case of dandruff.
  • Red, inflamed skin localized to one area, such on a paw, that the dog has been licking and chewing at is acral lick dermatitis, also known as lick granulomas.

    • Its common for dog owners to ignore skin irritations on their dogs because they dont realize its a problem or think theres nothing that can be done for allergies.

    Says Dr. Ritchie, “For some reason, they seem to think a diagnosis of allergies means that nothing can be done, or theres not an infection or mites or yeast or anything that can be treated, because its just an allergy. This is completely false … an allergy is just the beginning, and that what they are seeing is the result of an allergic response to something, whether its an infection or fungus or mites, all of which can be gotten rid of with the proper treatments.”

    Is it normal for dogs to have pink skin?

    Your dog’s skin is unique, just like their personality, but there are lots of general things that should be the same for all dogs with healthy skin. Your dog’s skin should be pink or black, depending on the pigments common to their breed or their individual genetic history – both are entirely normal.

    Why do white dogs look pink?

    One of the most common causes of pink hair on a white dog is called yeast dermatitis, otherwise known as a yeast infection. … These stains are caused by porphyrins, which contain iron molecules that a dog’s body passes through the urine, saliva, and tears, according to MedVet.

    How To treat these 5 Skin infection in dogs with home remedies.

    Has part of your dog’s skin become a certain darker colour lately? Does part of your dog’s skin feel or look abnormal compared to the rest of his or her body? There is a long list of signs and changes that are associated with skin conditions in dogs. One of these changes is called hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is an increase in dark pigmentation of the skin.

    Hyperpigmentation is a sign, not a diagnosis. It is not a specific disease; rather, it is secondary change on a dog’s skin. Change in pigment can occur due to a number of reasons, and if darker skin pigment accumulates on the skin, this will cause darkening of the skin. Hyperpigmentation is a term used for increase in the pigmentation on dog skin, which is considered to be more than what is normal for that particular dog.

    Hyperpigmentation may be the only change noted, or it may be accompanied by skin that feels velvety or rough to the touch. This may be due to areas of thickened skin where the skin feels rough or velvety. Other skin symptoms that can be noted along with hyperpigmentation include redness of the skin, hair loss, scaling, crusting, and itchiness. Hyper pigmented skin may also appear more moist or sweaty than usual, or may be dry to the touch along with the presence of scaling or dandruff.