If you have a dog, it's important that you know all about the various dog health problems they can suffer from, one of them being skin rashes. Rashes on dogs is a common health problem that many dogs suffer from. If proper care is taken and if the dogs are treated as soon as they start showing the symptoms of skin rashes, they will not suffer much.

Causes and Types of Rashes

Bacterial Infections
These infections are mainly caused due to the staphylococci. This infection is not contagious but it's a big irritation for the dogs. It causes their skin to itch a lot. Yellow colored abscesses, similar to pimples start erupting on the dog's skin because of this. First these rashes ulcerate which causes lot of pain to the dog, and then turn crusty, which leads to hair fall in the dog.

Fungal Infections
In this type of infection, the most common fungal infection is due to the ringworm, which is contagious. Mainly the young dogs are infected by this fungal infection. They start on the paws and head of the dog and if not treated on time, they spread all over the body.

Fleas and Other Parasites
Parasites such as mites, ticks, fleas on dog's body, also causes rashes. They cause severe skin irritation which leads to itchy skin which in turn leads to eruption of raised red bumps or rashes in dogs. They are easy to diagnose and they can be treated by skin scrapping.

Allergies
The rashes can also appear due to allergies. Let us see what are the various allergies which a dog might have.

Food Allergies
Sometimes the dogs might be allergic to some dog food because of which they get rashes on their skin. When you feed your dog, make sure that they are not allergic to it. If proper care is taken, then dog allergies can be easily curbed.

Shampoo Residue
Rashes can also erupt on the skin of dogs due to the shampoo residue. This is a very common problem. Some of you might have had the chance of bathing a dog. It's a tedious task, with the dog shying away from the water, trying to break free and frisk about. Thus, you cannot wash off the shampoo from the dog's body properly. This residue becomes very itchy and even they cause rashes. Wash your dog with warm water in order to remove the residue.

Environmental Allergies
Man pollutes the environment and along with him suffers the innocent animals. Some harmful toxins that we use in our homes or in our gardens, have a negative effect on our dogs. They might also be sensitive to certain pollutants in the air (which we cannot control), which causes the dogs to suffer from skin rashes.

Drug Allergies
This might also be one of the causes, if your dog is under medication. If you want to change these medicines, then consult the veterinarian before you do so.

Have you ever had rashes? If yes, then you would probably know how painful and how torturous it is to have them. The whole part keeps on itching terribly, but, you have been forbidden to scratch that area for the fear of infecting it further. Similarly, when there are rashes, even they suffer a lot. You have to know what are the various treatments for these rashes so that you can relieve your best friend from this torture.

Treatments

The natural methods will give your dog instant relief from all the itching and irritation.
  • Aloe Vera Cream or Gel: Just like when you have rashes or skin infection, you use aloe vera gel or cream, you can also use the same for skin rashes.
  • Milk of Magnesia: It is a soothing substance which is good for the itchy, dry and irritated skin. Pour some on a cotton ball and apply it on the infected area of your dog. It will bring them instant relief.
  • Oatmeal Shampoo with Aloe: Oatmeal is great to treat dogs with rashes. It keeps their skin healthy, while the aloe gets rid of the rashes.
  • Baking Soda: If you mix baking soda and water and apply it on the rashes of your dog, they get instant relief.
  • Visit a Veterinarian: The above medicines will give your dog instant relief from all the itching and irritation, true. But that is for a very short time. It would better when you see rashes his/her face, body, legs, etc., take them to the vet. They know best how to deal with it.
  • Proper Grooming : Proper dog care is required so that they do not have such rashes. Give them a bath frequently with proper medicated shampoos.
Next time you see rashes on dog's skin, you will know what to do to provide them with instant relief. Do not ignore it otherwise things could go from bad to worse.