For many horse owners, summer brings not only sunshine and long pasture times, but also an invisible burden: sweet itch. What starts with mild rubbing can quickly develop into a serious skin condition. In this article, you will learn how to recognize the first signs in time, what exactly sweet itch is – and how you can gently but effectively support your horse's skin.

What is sweet itch?

Sweet itch is an allergic skin disease triggered by an overreaction to the saliva of certain biting insects such as midges (Culicoides), stable flies, or horseflies. It is particularly common in the warm months when these insects are more active.

Typical symptoms include:

• Severe itching

• Swelling and wheals

• Weeping or crusted skin lesions

• Hair loss and bare patches

• Restlessness, especially in the evening hours

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

Early detection: Recognizing the first warning signs

The symptoms of sweet itch often develop insidiously. Therefore, it is important to regularly check your horse's skin – especially in spring, when insects become more active. Look out for:

• Noticeable rubbing at the mane crest, tail dock, or along the belly seam

• Small, itchy nodules or wheals after grazing

• Weeping skin patches or crust formation

• Beginning hair loss

• Restlessness or nervousness at dusk

The sooner you react, the greater the chance of getting the symptoms under control and stabilizing the skin.

Preventing sweet itch: What really helps

Sweet itch 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 insect contact

• Use breathable fly sheets with belly flaps and fine-mesh masks

• Schedule grazing for early morning and late evening hours

• Use fans in the stable – mosquitoes avoid moving air

• Remove standing water and maintain the pasture regularly

2. Strengthen the skin barrier – gently

Many conventional ointments contain aggressive ingredients such as alcohol, fragrances, or even cortisone. These can further burden already stressed skin. Instead, we recommend microbiome-friendly care that does not destroy the skin flora but specifically supports it.

Doderm – Natural support for sweet itch and sensitive horse skin

Doderm Repair Gel was specially developed for sensitive animal skin – without irritating ingredients and without compromising effectiveness. The formulation is based on natural antibodies from milk that specifically combat harmful bacteria without disturbing the balance of the skin flora.

Doderm offers:

• Support for the natural skin flora

• Promotion of regeneration

• Gentle application, even on irritated skin

• Free from cortisone, alcohol, fragrances, and antibiotics

• Suitable for foals, sensitive horses, and allergy-prone animals

Application tip:
Apply Doderm Repair Gel daily to the affected areas – ideally after cleaning with clear water. A small amount is sufficient.

Year-round care pays off

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