Is your dog constantly itchy? Pettington answers your questions about atopic dermatitis, fungus, and redness.

Does your dog often scratch, lick his feet, shed hair, or have red and swollen skin? You have seen a veterinarian, tried changing dog food, and bought various anti-itch products recommended by pet stores, but the symptoms still recur? In fact, many problems encountered by owners point to an important but easily overlooked key: skin barrier function .


Common skin problems in dogs?


"Dog eczema" is a common term among dog owners, but in veterinary medicine, "eczema" is not an official diagnostic term. Veterinarians will make more precise classifications based on the cause and symptoms, such as:

  • Acute moist dermatitis : local redness, swelling, exudation, and severe itching
  • Fungal infection : hair loss, circular bald spots, reddish-brown dandruff
  • Atopic dermatitis : a chronic allergic skin disease with chronic itching, licking, biting, redness and swelling of the ears, and inflammation between the toes

Therefore, if you suspect your dog has eczema, we would recommend that you seek help from a veterinarian to clarify the cause rather than guessing and treating it yourself.

Why is changing dog food and buying anti-itch products still ineffective?

Many owners will constantly change dog food and buy products on the market at the beginning, but the effect is often limited. This is because:

  • One of the core issues of atopic dermatitis and fungal infection is the abnormality of skin barrier function.
  • Research (Marsella & Olivry, 2001) indicates that dogs with atopic dermatitis lack natural lipids and moisturizing factors in their skin, making it easier for allergens, bacteria, and mold to penetrate the skin, causing chronic inflammation.

In other words, if the skin barrier is not properly repaired, even with a lot of external treatments, the improvement may still be limited .

Should I see a vet if I have an itch? How do I decide when to see a vet?


If your dog exhibits any of the following symptoms, please take it to the veterinarian for examination as soon as possible:

  • Large area hair loss, redness, swelling, exudation, and scab
  • Itching to the point of scratching and bleeding
  • The dog becomes less energetic and has a decreased appetite
  • Problems persist for more than 1–2 weeks without improvement
  • Thickening, darkening, and foul-smelling skin

Your veterinarian will choose the appropriate treatment, which may include steroids, JAK inhibitors, antibiotics, or antifungal medications, depending on the cause. These medications are important for relieving symptoms and are a core part of your treatment plan.

In addition, using appropriate skin care products can help accelerate repair, stabilize therapeutic effects, and reduce future recurrences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why is it useless to keep changing the dog food?
A: Atopic dermatitis is usually related to environmental allergens and abnormal skin barrier. Simply changing dog food cannot solve the core problem.

Q: Can dog fungal infection be contagious to humans?
A: Some molds (such as Microsporum canis) may be contagious to humans. It is recommended to take your dog to the doctor as soon as possible to avoid the spread.

Q: Do I need to take medication for a long time for atopic dermatitis?
A: This is a chronic disease that requires long-term management, but combined with nutritional supplements and skin care, it can help reduce medication use and recurrence.

Introduction: Bioiberica 's skin repair product line

Bioiberica is a Spanish life science company with more than 45 years of scientific research background, specializing in the development of functional molecules for veterinary clinical use. Its Atopivet® skin series is designed for atopic dermatitis, chronic itching and skin repair after fungal infection. When used in combination with veterinary medication, it can achieve a more ideal long-term management effect.

Why choose Bioiberica?

  • Dermial® vet (hyaluronic acid matrix) : enhances skin moisturizing and repairs the skin barrier
  • Nucleoforce® (nucleotide combination) : Promotes immune regulation and strengthens repair ability

Clinical studies (González et al., 2021) have confirmed that these ingredients can help dogs reduce itching index, shorten the inflammation period, and help the skin recover faster.

<<All Bioiberica Products>>

Atopivet® Collar : A wearable aid designed for skin repair


Atopivet® Collar is a professional collar designed for atopic dermatitis and chronic skin problems. Unlike traditional anti-licking collars, its function is not to prevent licking and biting, but to actively release repair ingredients to help the skin restore health.

  • Rich in Dermial® vet (hyaluronic acid matrix) : continuously released into the skin surface, increasing skin moisture content and reducing dryness and desquamation
  • Helps repair the skin barrier : enhance skin defense, reduce allergen invasion, and reduce inflammation
  • Long-lasting effect and comfortable wearing : Lightweight design, no burden on daily activities, suitable as an auxiliary tool for the management of chronic skin diseases

Studies have shown that hyaluronic acid and related mucopolysaccharides can effectively enhance the skin barrier, reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL), promote skin repair, and help manage chronic skin problems such as atopic dermatitis.

Atopivet® Collar is an active support collar that works with Atopivet® Mousse and Oral to provide comprehensive internal and external support for your dog.