For many horse owners, summer brings not only sunshine and long hours of grazing, but also an invisible burden: summer eczema. What starts as mild chafing can quickly develop into a serious skin condition. In this article, you’ll learn how to recognize the first signs early on, what exactly causes summer eczema—and how you can gently but effectively support your horse’s skin.

What is summer eczema?

Summer eczema is an allergic skin condition triggered by an overreaction to the saliva of certain biting insects, such as midges (Culicoides), biting flies, or horseflies. It occurs particularly frequently during the warmer months, when these insects are more active.

Typical symptoms include:

• Severe itching

• Swelling and hives

• Weeping or crusted areas of skin

• Hair loss and bald spots

• Restlessness, especially in the evening

Certain horse breeds—especially hardy breeds such as Icelandic horses, Norwegian horses, or Friesians—are particularly susceptible, as they originally come from regions with lower insect populations. Once sensitized, these animals usually react to insect bites again every year.

Early Detection: Recognizing the First Warning Signs

The symptoms of summer eczema often develop gradually. That’s why it’s important to check your horse’s skin regularly—especially in the spring, when insects become more active again. Look for:

• Noticeable chafing on the mane, at the base of the tail, or along the belly

• Small, itchy nodules or hives after grazing

• Weeping skin lesions or scabbing

• Early-stage hair loss

• Restlessness or nervousness at dusk

The sooner you take action, the better your chances of managing the symptoms and stabilizing your skin.

Preventing Summer Eczema: What Really Works

Summer eczema cannot be completely cured, but with the right combination of protection, care, and strengthening of the skin barrier, you can significantly alleviate the symptoms.

1. Minimize contact with insects

• Use breathable fly rugs with a belly flap and close-mesh face covers

• Schedule grazing for the early morning and late evening hours

• Use fans in the barn – mosquitoes avoid moving air

• Remove standing water and maintain the pasture regularly

2. Strengthen the skin barrier—but gently

Many conventional ointments contain harsh ingredients such as alcohol, fragrances, or even cortisone. These can put additional strain on skin that is already stressed. Instead, we recommend microbiome-friendly skincare that doesn’t disrupt the skin’s natural flora but specifically supports it.

Doderm – Natural relief for summer eczema and sensitive horse skin

Doderm Repair Gel was specially developed for sensitive animal skin—free of irritating ingredients and without compromising on effectiveness. The formula is based on natural antibodies derived from milk, which specifically target harmful bacteria without disrupting the balance of the skin’s natural flora.

Doderm offers:

• Supports the skin's natural flora

• Promoting regeneration

• Gentle on the skin, even when it's irritated

• Free of cortisone, alcohol, fragrances, and antibiotics

• Suitable for foals, sensitive horses, and animals prone to allergies

Tip:
Apply Doderm Repair Gel daily to the affected areas—preferably after cleansing with clean water. A small amount is sufficient.

Year-round care pays off

Consistent skin care is important even outside of the insect season. A strengthened skin barrier can help significantly reduce the risk of another outbreak next spring and improve your horse’s quality of life in the long term.