Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: Sweet Itch

Sweet Itch is a persistent health concern that
many horse owners face. It is a troublesome
condition to treat, but with a few sensible
measures, the worst symptoms can be mitigated.

Also know as Summer Seasonal Recurrent
Dermatitis, Sweet Itch is a problem caused by an
excessive reaction to insect bites.

Hypersensitivity can result from the bites of
midges, horse flies, stable flies and black
flies. Wasp and bee stings, although more rare,
have also been recorded as being responsible for
a heightened skin sensitivity. Of these, the
saliva from midge bites is the most prominent
cause of the unwanted horse skin reactions that
are generically known as Sweet Itch.

Unfortunately, in an affected horse, the
autoimmune system overreacts to the saliva left
behind after a midge bite and this often causes
an intolerably itch. The horse will incessantly
rub against objects in an attempt to relieve the
itchiness, but in doing so will likely exacerbate
the condition, breaking the skin and opening up
the possibility of secondary infections.

Typically, Sweet Itch will culminate in skin
thickening, ulceration, skin lesions, scuffed,
broken hairs and bald patches.

As every horse owner knows, there are various
preventative measures and treatments that can be
used to try and alleviate the worst symptoms of
Sweet Itch.

The various preventative measures all aim to
achieve the same goal, namely, inhibiting the
insect to settle on the animal thereby avoiding
the possibility of insect bites.

Rugs and face masks are used to form a physical
barrier across the horse's skin. Unfortunately
these are only completely effective if all areas
of the body is covered, including the head, ears
and legs. Any area of your horse left uncovered
will be susceptible to insect bites.

Keeping the horse in a stable when the offending
insects are most prevalent is another measure
that gives some relief. Fitting any stable
openings with an insect screen will increase the
effectiveness. However, many horse owners do not
want, or find it inconvenient, to keep their
horse stabled from prolonged periods.

As a halfway measure, as midges are most active
at dawn and dusk, horses may be stabled from
early evening through to mid-morning.

Weather conditions are also a factor in midge
numbers and activity. The midge needs
freestanding water in which to breed, so a
prolonged dry spell can drastically reduce midge
numbers. In contrast warm, wet weather can
precipitate a sharp increase in midge numbers and
activity.

Using an insect repellent may also give some
protection. Depending on the ingredients, there
may be problems of side-effects associated with
individual repellents.

For instance, those containing benzyl benzoate,
to be effective, need to be thoroughly rubbed
into the skin. Unfortunately, if the skin is
already ulcerated or has skin lesions, the benzyl
benzoate will act as an irritant and will
consequently contribute to the allergic reaction
symptoms.

Remedies including glucocorticoids have been
found to be of benefit, but care should be taken.
Pregnant mares and horses prone to laminitis are
not suited to these formulations.

In all case, repellents and insecticides are best
employed before any insect bites occur.

Treating the symptoms is the other aspect of
managing Sweet Itch. Just as is the case with
human skin care, equine skin care can respond
well to the appropriate treatment.

Because the intense itchiness that accompanies
the hypersensitivity, a horse suffering from
Sweet Itch will incessantly rub against trees,
fences and other hard objects. This compounds
the problem and will soon lead to open wounds and
the possibility of secondary bacterial
infections. It is therefore highly desirable to
use an antipruritic to reduce the itchiness.

Antihistamines and natural products such as aloe
vera can provide relief. However, some
antihistamines such as hydroxyzine and
corticosteroids can induce undesirable
side-effects and so their use should be closely
monitored.

Some horse owners have reported that using
natural ingredients, such as a sulfur-based
shampoo, seems to produce a reduction in their
horse's rubbing. These finding have not been
corroborated by formal veterinary studies though.
Therefore, the usefulness and extent of their
worth is open to question.

Whatever approach you take to ameliorate Sweet
Itch, you are unfortunately unlikely to find a
100% effective cure. However, by understanding
the causes and symptoms, Sweet Itch can be
successfully managed.

----------------------------------------------------
Sweet Itch is best prevented but, once symptoms
display, equine owners need to manage the
condition. Horse Shield offers a product to do
just that. For details see
http://www.dermashield.co.uk/equine-sweet-itch.htm
l

Equine owners that have unwanted skin conditions
themselves will also find practical healthy skin
maintenance advice on the Derma Shield website at
http://www.dermashield.co.uk/

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