4 key points about skin issues in dogs:
1
Common Signs
+
Skin
issues
can
show
up
as
itchiness,
hair
loss,
inflammation,
wounds,
or
unusual
odors.
2
Parasitic & Infectious Causes
+
Fleas,
ticks,
mites,
and
bacterial
or
fungal
infections
can
lead
to
red
bumps,
sores,
or
hot
spots.
3
Allergic Causes
+
Food
or
environmental
allergies
often
trigger
intense
itching
and
irritated
skin,
and
may
also
lead
to
ear
problems
like
otitis.
4
Other Underlying Conditions:
+
Issues
like
seborrhea
(oily
or
dry
skin),
hormonal
imbalances,
or
autoimmune
diseases
can
also
affect
the
skin.
Skin problems are very common in dogs. They can range from mild flea-related itchiness to recurrent infections caused by underlying health conditions. The appearance of a dog’s skin and coat provides valuable insights not only into skin health but also into overall well-being.
How can you tell if your dog has a skin problem?
Skin conditions in dogs can manifest through many signs and lesions, including:
Hair loss (alopecia)
Irritation and redness (inflammation)
Darkened and thickened skin
Sores, wounds, and ulcers
Scabs and crusts
Tiny bumps (papules and pustules)
- Dry, flaky skin with dandruff or oily, malodorous skin
Lumps and bumps (nodules)
Because the skin is the dog’s largest and most visible organ, lesions are usually easy to notice—though they can be hidden in long-haired breeds, and some signs (like itching) may be intermittent. The ears are also considered part of the skin, and many skin issues affect them as well.
Skin problems may result from localized conditions or systemic diseases that impact overall health.
Can parasites cause skin problems?
Go to the next picture for illustration of the disorder(s)
Dr Amaury Briand, Hair loss, redness, and dandruff linked to scabies in a dog
Dr Amaury Briand, Hair loss, skin dryness and mild hyperpigmentation localised to the head linked to demodicosis in a puppy
Hair loss, skin redness, dry skin with flakes and hyperpigmentation linked to ringworm in a dog
External parasites are not only extremely bothersome, but they can also bring a host of other health problems to your dog, including internal parasites, complicated infectious diseases, home infestations, and, you guessed it, skin problems. Common parasites include:
Fleas
Fleas are the most common external parasite in dogs. They are active year-round, though more abundant in warmer months.
Scratching often causes redness, wounds, crusts, and hair loss. Dogs allergic to flea bites are more severely affected and prone to secondary infections.”
Skin lesions are usually the result of scratching and include cutaneous irritation, redness, wounds, crusts, and hair loss. Dogs who are allergic to flea bites are more severely affected and often develop secondary infections.
Mites
Several mites affect dogs, most commonly Sarcoptes scabiei (scabies) and Demodex canis (demodicosis). Mite problems are more frequent in younger dogs.
Sarcoptic Mange (Scabies)
Highly contagious to humans and other pets, scabies spreads through direct contact with infected animals.
The mites burrow under the skin, causing severe itching. Lesions typically appear on the belly, elbows, feet, face, and ears, and include redness, hair loss, crusting, and thickened skin. Untreated, the disease worsens over time and can lead to secondary bacterial or yeast infections.
Demodectic Mange (Demodicosis)
Demodex mites naturally inhabit hair follicles. In some dogs, an excessive number of mites causes localized or generalized skin disease.
Certain breeds (Shar Pei, West Highland White Terrier, English Bulldog) are predisposed, and weakened immune system also plays a role.
Localized disease causes small, scaly red patches, often on the face or legs. Generalized disease is more severe and frequently complicated by infections. Itching varies.
Skin infections, common secondary problems
Healthy skin hosts protective bacteria and yeast. When skin integrity is disrupted, microbial overgrowth may cause infection.
Secondary infections can develop from any condition that damages the skin or causes itching.
Signs include inflamed, moist, crusty skin, often with a strong odor. Dogs may lick or scratch, worsening the damage. Chronic infections can cause skin thickening and darkening (lichenification).
Bacterial skin infections
Bacterial skin infections: Often caused by Staphylococcus species. Lesions include papules, pustules (pimple-like spots with pus), and crusts.
Yeast infections
Yeast infections or Malassezia dermatitis: Caused by Malassezia pachydermatis, typically found in skin folds, between toes, and in the ears. They have a distinctive odor and tend to recur.
Ringworm
Ringworm: A contagious fungal infection (dermatophytes) spread through direct contact or by touching contaminated items or surfaces (fomites). It presents as circular bald patches with red edges. Despite the name, it is not caused by worms.
Do allergies affect the skin?
Yes. Dogs, like humans, can experience skin allergies, which often lead to itching, redness, and irritation. The most common signs are itching, inflammation, wounds, crusts, hair loss, and secondary infections. Lesions often affect the belly, groin, armpits, face, paws, and ears.
Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to substances that are typically harmless to most dogs. They are categorized as:
Flea allergy dermatitis – reaction to flea saliva proteins.
Food allergies – reaction to dietary components.
Atopic dermatitis - when the allergens involved are particles present in your dog’s environment, such as pollens and dust mites.
Commonly affected breeds include West Highland White Terriers, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, French Bulldogs, and Pugs, among others.
Seborrhea in dogs: oily, dry, or mixed
Canine seborrhea is caused by an imbalance in skin cell turnover.
Oily seborrhea: greasy coat, odor, excess sebum.
Oily seborrhea: greasy coat, odor, excess sebum.
Dry seborrhea: scaling, dandruff-like flakes, irritated skin.
Dry seborrhea: scaling, dandruff-like flakes, irritated skin.
Many dogs have a combination.
Seborrhea is often secondary to underlying issues such as allergies or endocrine disease, but it can also be primary, especially in certain breeds (e.g., Golden Retrievers with Ichthyosis).
Skin problems - beyond the skin
Some systemic diseases manifest through skin lesions.
Hormonal disorders like hypothyroidism and Cushing’s syndrome often cause symmetrical hair loss, especially in older dogs.
Hormonal disorders like hypothyroidism and Cushing’s syndrome often cause symmetrical hair loss, especially in older dogs.
Autoimmune diseases, though rare, may cause lesions on the nose and other areas, typically symmetrically distributed.
Autoimmune diseases, though rare, may cause lesions on the nose and other areas, typically symmetrically distributed.
Preventing skin problems
You can help prevent many skin conditions by:
Maintaining up-to-date parasite prevention.
Maintaining up-to-date parasite prevention.
Grooming and inspecting your dog’s skin regularly.
Grooming and inspecting your dog’s skin regularly.
Bathing as needed with pet-safe shampoos.
Bathing as needed with pet-safe shampoos.
The DOUXO® S3 range, formulated with Ophytrium®, offers innovative solutions to support skin health for all skin types.
If you notice any signs of skin problems, schedule a veterinary consultation for diagnosis and treatment.
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Ask your vet for the best solution for your dog’s skin issues and learn more about DOUXO® S3 CALM, which helps soothe itchy, irritated, or allergic skin, DOUXO® S3 PYO, which provides antiseptic cleansing for bacterial or yeast skin infections, and DOUXO® S3 SEB, which helps control dandruff and unpleasant odors while hydrating the skin.