If your dog has itchy, uncomfortable skin, it’s quite likely they have skin allergies. Skin conditions, often caused by allergies in dogs, are one of the most common reasons pet parents take their dogs to the vet. If you are desperate to help your dog stop itching from allergies, you are not alone. From itchy skin to rashes to swelling, allergic reactions range from uncomfortable to downright painful for your dog.
Symptoms of a Dog Skin Allergy
Your dog’s itchy skin is a major sign that they may be suffering from an allergy. Other common symptoms of a dog skin allergy include:
- Red, irritated, scabbed, and itchy skin, especially on their ears, face, front legs, feet, and groin.
- Scratching so much that they lose hair and their skin becomes scabby
- Chewing or licking their paws, rubbing their eyes and face
Other signs to keep an eye on:
- Skin damage caused by excess itching or licking
- Inflamed ears
- Flea infestation evidence such as fleas and flea dirt on your dog that can mean flea allergy dermatitis
If you notice that your dog has any of these symptoms, make an appointment to see your veterinarian as soon as possible. Your vet will diagnose and provide dog allergy treatments to keep their skin condition in check. If your dog scratches and licks already irritated skin, they may expose their skin to yeast or bacteria and possibly cause a secondary infection that requires more intense treatment by your veterinarian.
Dog Allergy Treatments
Once a diagnosis is made, your veterinarian will go over your dog’s specific case and suggest dog allergy meds for itchy skin. If your dog has developed flea allergy dermatitis, flea prevention is vital. Flea bites are irritating in their own right, but flea dermatitis is truly uncomfortable for your pet. Prevention is the best medicine for flea dermatitis.
Working with your vet to find the cause of your dog’s itchy skin will help make them feel better and improve their quality of life. Below are the top dog allergy meds for itchy skin.
Apoquel
Available in tablet form, Apoquel has become one of the most popular and effective treatments for dogs’ itchy skin since its introduction in 2014. Veterinarians and pet parents like it because it works quickly, controls itching, and provides long-term relief.
How it works: Apoquel works differently than other allergy drugs. It targets the problem at the sources and inhibits Janus Kinases that cause itching and inflammation, reducing redness and itching.
How to use: Available by prescription only, the pills are given in accordance with your veterinarian’s instructions. Generally, two per day for approximately two weeks, then a maintenance dose of one per day. They can be given with or without food.
Temaril-P Tablets
Temaril-P is a combination of antihistamine and corticosteroid. It relieves itchiness and inflammation caused by allergies and dermatitis.
How it works: A combination of trimeprazine tartrate and prednisolone, Temaril-P is a corticosteroid that helps reduce itching and reduce inflammation.
How to use: The tablets are given orally, available by prescription only, use as directed by your veterinarian. Give with food.
Prednisone
Probably one of the most well-known corticosteroids, prednisone is used to treat allergy and inflammatory conditions.
How it works: mimics the action of cortisol and suppresses inflammation. It does this by slowing down the processes in the dog’s body that cause inflammation.
How to use: Administer by mouth as directed by your veterinarian. Prednisone is generally prescribed for a short period of time to control itching and inflammation.
Hydroxyzine HCL Tablet
Helps relieve itching caused by fleabites and other allergies. Begins to work 25 minutes after oral administration. If your dog has fleas, flea medication is recommended.
How it works: Physically block H1 receptors and stop histamine from reaching its target. This decreases the dog’s reaction to allergens and reduces the symptoms.
How to use: Available by prescription only, give as directed by your veterinarian.
Hydroxyzine Pamoate
This is a powerful antihistamine for treating acute allergic reactions.
How it works: Blocks the action of histamines in your dog’s body.
How to use: Give orally as prescribed by your veterinarian.
Dexamethasone
A strong, synthetic corticosteroid, this medication has about 25 times the anti-inflammatory potency of naturally occurring cortisol.
How it works: Alleviate symptoms such as itchiness, irritation, swelling, redness, and burning.
How to use: Because this is a strong corticosteroid, it is essential to follow your veterinarian’s instructions to the letter. Stopping its use abruptly is not advised, when discontinuing, the amount should be gradually decreased until your dog is no longer given any.
Atopica
As the name suggests, this medication treats atopic dermatitis, the most common allergic skin disease in dogs. Cyclosporine is generic Atopica. Cyclavance is a Cyclosporine oral solution.
How it works: Cyclosporine, the active ingredient in Atopica, inhibits immune system function by temporarily reducing the activity of lymphocytes.
How to use: Atopica pills are given once daily for thirty days and may then be tapered until a minimum frequency is reached that keeps atopic dermatitis under control. Administer at least one hour prior or two hours after a meal.
Cyproheptadine HCl
Cyproheptadine HCI is an antihistamine that relieves itchy skin and other allergy symptoms.
How it works: It generally begins to relieve symptoms within a few hours, but several days may be required to see the full effect.
How to use: Administer tablets as precisely instructed by your veterinarian.
Triamcinolone Acetonide
Triamcinolone Acetonide is a potent glucocorticoid effective in the treatment of itchy skin.
How it works: This is a highly potent glucocorticoid that helps reduce inflammation and prevent overreaction of the immune system in allergies.
How to use: Administer as directed by your veterinarian. The initial dose may be higher until the condition is under control, then tapered until the minimum effective dose is found.
Medrol (Methylprednisolone)
This drug quickly relieves allergy symptoms and inflammation. Due to the enhanced potency of this medication, lower doses provide results similar to prednisolone and prednisone with a reduced risk of adverse reactions.
How it works: Decreases the immune response of the body and reduces swelling.
How to use: Given orally in the form of tablets. Should be given with food, and if given once a day, give it in the morning. Do not stop without consulting your veterinarian.
Chlorpheniramine
This antihistamine is used to treat allergic skin conditions.
How it works: Like all antihistamines, Chlorpheniramine counteracts the activity of histamine.
How to use: This is a human drug, and its use in dogs is off-label, so it should be given only under the supervision of a veterinarian.
Diphenhydramine HCI
This antihistamine is used to relieve itchy skin and other allergy symptoms.
How it works: Counteracts the negative effects of histamine, especially itching.
How to use: Given orally or by injection. Tablets can be given with or without food. The injection is usually given by a veterinarian. Vetradyl tablets are generic Diphenhydramine HCI.
Clemastine Fumarate
This is a long-lasting antihistamine effective for treating itching and other allergy symptoms in dogs.
How it works: Relieves itching by stopping histamines from affecting the dog’s body tissue.
How to use: Administer by mouth every 12 hours, consult with your veterinarian for a specific dosage for your dog.
Depo-Medrol
Relieves itchy skin due to allergies or a dermatological condition. For dogs that have seasonal allergies, a single Depo-Medrol injection may be all they need to keep their itchiness at bay.
How it works: The concentration of an injection of Depo-Medrol peaks in the bloodstream within 24 hours of administration, offering relief for your dog’s itchy skin by the following day. Its efficacy continues for about three weeks.
How to use: Intramuscular injection.
Benefits of Choosing Allivet
Allivet has been a trusted provider of quality pet medications since 1992. We carry a wide If your dog has itchy, uncomfortable skin, it’s quite likely they have skin allergies. Skin conditions, often caused by allergies in dogs, are one of the most common reasons pet parents take their dogs to the vet. If you are desperate to help your dog stop itching from allergies, you are not alone. From itchy skin to rashes to swelling, allergic reactions range from uncomfortable to downright painful for your dog.selection that meets the needs of cats, dogs, horses, and livestock. These are the same drugs you will find at your veterinarian’s office, from the same manufactures, but at a much lower price. Our knowledgeable pharmacists are also pet parents and can give you expert advice whenever you need it.
Hear what our satisfied customers have to say:
I bought the Apoquel Tablet from Allivet Pharmacy because it was the exact prescription that I had purchased at my vet at a much lower price! On top of that it was free shipping and so easy to order! Quick delivery! – Mary B
Your price can’t be beat. Our dog scratches non-stop w/out Temaril. … I am so grateful you sell this product at a reduced price, b/c our dog really needs it. Thank you! — Roshan G.
I bought this product because my dog needed her meds. I’ve heard and read great reviews about this company, so I decided to try them, and everything I read and heard is true. … I would order from them again. — velvet b.
If your dog has acute or chronic itchy skin, we’re here to help. A prescription is required for these medications, so be sure to have that information ready to enter when you place your order. We’ll contact them on your behalf and keep the information on file to make refills easier. We’ll process and send your order as soon as possible to help your dog stop itching from allergies.
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