How do skin irritations occur?
Dogs are naturally curious. By spending time outdoors, they have the opportunity to explore, exercise, and interact with other dogs and people. This naturally exposes them to environmental factors.
Outside, our dogs come into contact with bacteria, fungi, and parasites. These are found in the soil, grass, and water. When these bacteria, fungi, or parasites come into contact with a dog’s skin, they can cause skin irritation. This often leads to itching, causing your dog to scratch, lick, or even bite excessively. This exacerbates the skin irritation, leading to bald spots and sometimes even wounds. This increases the risk of infections, creating a vicious cycle that is difficult to break and causes the symptoms to worsen.
Why dogs are more prone to skin infections
The fact that dogs’ skin is more susceptible to infections is mainly due to its unique structure and composition. It is thinner and less resilient than human skin. In fact, a dog’s skin consists of two to three times fewer layers of skin cells than human skin. Additionally, a dog’s skin renews itself more frequently, approximately every 20 days. As a result, a dog’s skin largely lacks the protective stratum corneum of dead skin cells, which in humans acts as a protective barrier between the body and the external environment. This means they lack the skin layer that prevents harmful substances such as bacteria, viruses, and allergens from penetrating the deeper layers of the skin. These are precisely the microorganisms that cause skin infections. Additionally, a dog’s coat has a lower acidity level than human skin. This creates an environment that promotes the growth of certain microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, leading to a higher risk of infections.
The dog's coat
In dogs, multiple hairs grow from fused hair follicles (in humans, a single hair grows from a single follicle). Some of these hairs have a thicker diameter (guard hairs of the outer coat), while most have a finer diameter (undercoat). A dog’s hair grows in cycles. When it reaches a certain length—which depends on the dog’s genetic makeup—it stops growing, dies off, and falls out. The empty hair follicles left behind provide an ideal habitat for bacteria and fungi, allowing them to spread easily across the skin’s surface. In addition, a dog’s coat can trap moisture close to the skin, creating a warm and humid environment. This can promote the growth of microorganisms and increase the risk of skin infections.
Treating skin irritations
If you notice that your dog’s skin is irritated because he’s constantly scratching, biting, or licking one spot, you might even see bald patches forming! In that case, it’s always a good idea to consult your veterinarian and look for the cause. A healthy dog’s skin requires skin care that’s appropriate for the breed. If you understand the basics of your dog’s skin, you can better understand its needs and make better decisions about skin and coat care. Doderm Hydro RepairGel is specially formulated for dog skin and supports skin with a weakened barrier that is prone to irritation and inflammation. The goal is to create skin that is resilient to environmental factors, so your dog feels comfortable in its own skin again! What makes our skin gel unique is that it contains filtered antibodies from cow colostrum, which naturally supports the skin’s recovery from irritation. Want to learn more about how Doderm Hydro RepairGel can relieve your dog’s itching? Then read our page on exactly how exactly how Doderm Hydro RepairGel works. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We’re happy to help!
Don’t forget that outdoor activities are essential for our dogs’ health and well-being, even though their skin may be more prone to infections than ours. Doderm’s goal is to promote healthy skin that’s resistant to environmental factors. Get out there with your four-legged friend and enjoy nature!
