Of all the allergic reactions and skin problems that pets suffer, this one is probably the condition that affects the most pets. If a dog suffers from this condition, they are likely to first exhibit these allergies before they turn five years old, but they could start suffering from flea bite hypersensitivity at any point in their lives. Read on to learn more about this common condition, its symptoms, and its treatment.

Symptom Checking & Diagnosing

So what exactly triggers this allergic reaction? The flea's saliva is thought of as the irritant. An allergic reaction to the flea bites could induce excessive itching, shedding hair, and skin that is dotted with scabs. The symptoms could last a week, even after only one bite, and can even last for a while after you have applied flea control. Unfortunately, you may not always be able to see the fleas with your naked eye. What you can do is use a comb, and this could turn up fleas or flea dirt in a more visible manner. You might need to get a skin test if you can't find these little critters, just in case your dog is suffering from mites or a bacterial disease. Or you might want to just start into flea control and see if that solves the problem, the diagnosis and treatment rolled into one.

Treating Flea Bite Allergies in Dogs

Flea control is the answer, and one that you must use regularly to ensure that treatment is maintained. These could be spot treatments, oral medication, or shampoo (perhaps the better option for puppies or an outright infestation). Is your pet an outdoor dog? Then fleas are likely inevitable, but flea control might be able to provide some immediate treatment. That being said, you have to ensure that the house does not become infested, and if the yard is already overrun, you may need to direct your flea treatment to your outdoors. If fleas get into your house, they can bite you, especially if flea control is chasing them off your pet; they will be in the market for another host. When it comes to flea control, you have to use it regularly. It only takes one bite for your dog to have an allergic reaction. How often do you have to apply treatment? That depends on the type of medication you are using, as well as the regularity of baths.

On top of flea control, you may need antihistamines or steroids for a dog's hypersensitivity to fleas. If allergies progress, they might produce open sores that could lead to an infection that requires antibiotics. If your dog has a serious allergy, you may want to return to the vet from time to time to ensure that treatments are helping.

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