It is difficult to watch your dog suffer from itchiness and inflamed skin. We all know the frustration and pain that constant skin irritation can induce. Dogs have some areas that are particularly prone to rashes and redness, and one of these is the armpits.
Roadmap
Diagnosing and managing allergies in dogs is a step-by-step process, and requires adjustments when changes and relapses occur.
You’re in the management stage…
When we see our dog battling this condition, we would like to understand the reasons so that we can develop some remedies.
Dogs with itchy red armpits with or without a rash are usually suffering from allergies. These may be environmental, dietary, or related to the presence of parasites. Prescription medicines, home remedies such as soothing shampoos, creams, and over-the-counter medication can help alleviate the itch.
A range of remedies may help your dog when he has red, itchy armpits. Readily available treatments can be tried first, and a veterinarian can be consulted for complicated or non-resolving cases (source).
Quick Re-Cap
Dogs experience itchy red armpits from allergies, leading to dermatitis and pyoderma. Histamines and cytokines intensify itching, prompting scratching and licking. Remedies span from phytosphingosine products, and aloe vera, to colloidal oatmeal shampoos. Some owners use a modified T-shirt to prevent further irritation. Identifying the underlying allergy cause, whether environmental, dietary, or fleas, is essential. Recognizing the root enables owners to choose between home or prescription treatments, ensuring their pets’ comfort.
Why Does My Dog Have Skin Irritation In His Armpits?
Like people, the skin in a dog’s armpits is delicate and easily irritated. It is a warm spot that exacerbates skin ailments. Although dogs do not perspire, the area can become moist from licking or the environment, further complicating problems.
The primary reason dogs have skin irritation in their armpits is that allergies result in a skin reaction such as rash or generalized itchiness.
Ingredients in the dog’s diet may cause allergies. Chicken, beef, wheat, and soy are common dietary allergens, but by no means are they the only ones. Extensive testing and investigation can help to identify food allergies.
You can read our comprehensive guide on dog food allergies here…
Environmental allergies can include dust, pollen, and grass. They result in a condition known as atopic dermatitis, which can be difficult to control as it is challenging to eliminate the allergens.
Allergies result when the immune system erroneously identifies a substance as harmful. It releases a host of hormones and proteins to attack the allergen, which causes reactions in the dog’s skin. Inflammation and skin irritation result from the release of histamines and cytokines.
The armpit is an area with a rich blood flow, making it a place sensitive to general changes in the skin. This is why the armpits, together with the groin and stomach, are often the first areas to show allergies.
Fleas are a parasite that loves to sit in warm places such as armpits. The delicate skin in this area often has less hair, and the flea can more easily obtain a blood meal in the armpit. Dogs develop allergies to flea saliva and flea faeces. The result is red, raw, itchy armpits that cause constant pain.
Why Are My Dog’s Armpits Red?
Inflammation is often worsened by heat, and the armpits are one of the warmest areas on a dog’s body. The immune system sends blood to areas where it perceives the allergen is causing problems. The result is that the dog’s armpits become red as the blood flow to the irritated area increases.
When the dog licks or scratches his armpits, damage to the skin further increases the redness and rashes. The moist warm, compromised skin is a breeding ground for fungal infections such as yeast, also known as candida.
The soft skin in the armpits is also prone to injury or irritation from grass seeds or spiky plants. This may not be an allergy but rather a minor skin injury. The opening in the skin can allow secondary bacterial infections to take hold, causing a condition known as pyoderma.
Pyoderma refers to an infection around the hair follicles and surrounding skin. It can also be caused by trauma, bite wounds, poor nutrition, allergies, and auto-immune conditions.
Why Is My Dog Licking His Armpit?
When the immune system is activated, it stimulates the production of histamines and cytokines. One of the side effects of these substances is an itchy sensation on the skin.
This causes the dog to lick or scratch the affected area.
Nerve endings in the skin are stimulated by licking or scratching. This creates further inflammation and itching sensations which cause the dog to scratch and lick the area more. Since the armpit is very sensitive, the itch-scratch cycle quickly establishes itself.
How Do I Stop My Dog’s Armpits From Itching?
There are various home remedies that the dog owner can try to lessen the rash and inflammation in the dog’s armpits.
Soothing shampoos can be used on a weekly or biweekly basis. The following shampoos and rinses have proved helpful (source):
- Colloidal oatmeal shampoos and crème rinses provide relief for three to five days. Some preparations include a local anaesthetic, usually pramoxine.
- Products that contain Phytosphingosine help relieve armpit itch. Phytosphingosine is a natural biological product with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and moisturizing properties.
- The lime sulfur dip is an old-fashioned remedy that kills parasites, bacteria, fungi, and ringworm. It alleviates itching but has some challenging side effects. It smells like rotten eggs and turns white fur luminous yellow.
- Tea tree shampoos are generally hypoallergenic but are aware that some severely allergic dogs may have reactions to them.
- Some owners swear by a diluted apple cider vinegar spray to relieve armpit itching.
Creams such as a one per cent cortisone cream or an antihistamine cream may be valuable tools in relieving the dog’s inflamed armpits. Aloe vera is a beneficial product that soothes itchy skin and reduces inflammation and pain.
Care must be taken to ensure that the dog does not lick the cream from the area. This will worsen the skin problem, and the dog will ingest cream designed for external use only.
The best way to stop licking is to use a plastic cone or foam collar to prevent the dog from licking his armpits. This mechanical means of preventing licking and scratching can help to break the itch-scratch cycle.
Another method of preventing the dog from licking his armpits is to fit him with a modified T-shirt to control access to the irritated area.
Flea control programs should be kept in place to prevent flea infestations that can cause itchy armpits or worsen existing problems.
If home remedies do not work, make an appointment to consult your veterinarian. Prescribed medicines are effective and may be needed to address an underlying cause that is not obvious to the naked eye (source).
Conclusion
Dogs do not need to suffer from itchy, red armpits riddled with rashes. Home remedies and prescription medicines can soothe the itch and treat the underlying cause.
