Summer dermatitis: definition and causes 

The DEREor Equine Summer Recurrent Dermatitis, better known as dermatitis, is a common skin condition in horses. It is due to a hypersensitivity of certain equidae to allergens present in the saliva of gnats like Culicoids. It's the Culicoid females that sting the horse by feeding on its blood. The prevalence (number of equids affected by the disease compared to the total number of equids) is 1 horse in 10 in France.

This hypersensitivity causes very severe itching in specific areas of the body. Itching appears in the spring and disappears spontaneously in the fall. As the name suggests, ERAD is a disease that can cause repeat offenderwhich means that once it appears, it will reappear every year and get a little worse each time. All equids can develop this hypersensitivity at any age. This cutaneous pathology seems to present a hereditary trait. Usually we find a damage by lineage.

The main observable symptoms are lesions related to the sometimes very intense itching. These lesions take the form of sores, pimples, diffuse erythema, irregular alopecia or scaling. Certain areas are particularly affected: the mane and the tail in particular. Not only the hairs, but also the hairs will be broken or pulled out. In horses prone to recurrences, lesions are marked with lichenification and hyperkeratosis of the skin, a so-called "rat tail", weight loss and frequent bacterial superinfections. However, this pathology is neither contagious nor infectious.

Diagnosis and treatment

The diagnosis is essentially clinic. In front of a very marked pruritus followed by the appearance of such scratching lesions, one will generally lean towards summer dermatitis but one must nevertheless be vigilant and not confuse with scabies, lice, ringworm or even hives linked to an allergy of any other cause. The season of appearance as well as possible family history can also direct the diagnosis towards the DERE.

The itching is at the origin of frankly unaesthetic lesions and can even cause a permanent discomfort or even prevent the horse from being ridden. Therefore, it is important to diagnose this disease in order to relieve the horse as much as possible, even if it is not a horse.there is no effective curative treatment for the cause..

Thus, the goal of summer dermatitis treatment is primarily to keep insects away from the horse's skin, control secondary infections, restore skin integrity and control pruritus. Many measures can be taken to improve the horse's comfort and to reduce or even prevent the appearance of lesions.

This treatment is first based on the use of emollient, calming and also antiseptic shampoos. Our antibacterial shampooThis product, enriched with cade essential oil, helps to eliminate parasites from the horse's epidermis and soothes itching. It is suitable for frequent use and is non-irritating.

In a second step, in case of a bacterial affection of the epidermis, you can apply an external gel with dermo-caustic properties. At ESC Laboratoire, we have created BacticadeA complex formula that combines the benefits of aloe vera with the recognized anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of 3 essential oils (cade, thyme and eucalyptus). Indeed, once cleared of its impurities, the epidermis is regenerated thanks to the softening properties of aloe vera very rich in vitamin B, folic acid, vitamin C and carotene. In order to reinforce the repairing action of aloe vera, Bacticade also contains vegetable oils (grape seed oil, macadamia oil) and an oily macerate of calendula which will accelerate the cellular regeneration of the epidermis. This gel helps to treat skin allergies such as summer dermatitis and to soothe itching.

(If the horse has already scratched heavily and you see lesions appearing you can also use our new healing cream).

To reinforce the action of these external care products, it is possible to combine them with an enriched phytonutrition supplement: Hippo Dermatitis. Made from a mixture of plants, seaweed and enriched with minerals and trace elements, Hippo Dermites helps to treat parasitic infections of the epidermis and reduce itching.

On the other hand, as the best weapon against summer dermatitis remains the prevention of bites, we recommend the use of Fly neutralour natural insect repellent in spray or gel form. Its very complete formula includes a blend of 9 highly fragrant essential oils that neutralize odours that attract insects, making this product very effective. Among the 9 essential oils, 3 are particularly recognized for their repellent properties:

• The essential oil of garlic which is commonly used in particular in market gardening and arboriculture because of its broad spectrum of action.
• Cade essential oil comes from cade wood, which has been used for a very long time to ward off insects. Its many other properties (anti-allergic, anti-fungal, disinfectant...) make cade essential oil a frequently used ingredient in dermatological products.
• Citronella essential oil owes its effectiveness to its content of citronellol and geraniol, two molecules that are naturally active against mosquitoes. It disrupts the nervous system of insects that prefer to move away.

There are also summer covers (to be combined with a insect mask . protecting the eyes and ears) that provide maximum protection for the horse when outdoors. For maximum effect, the shirt can be impregnated with the repellent lotion. Fly neutral.

To complete the action of Fly Neutral, you can also add to your horse's ration ofgarlicwhich has a natural insect repellent effect. In addition, garlic is recommended to strengthen the respiratory system and blood circulation. You can use it as a pure plant or as a mixture in Garlic Mix. This mixture of dehydrated plants (garlic, artichoke, nettle) contributes to the well-being and vitality of the horse. Garlic Mix promotes the immune system and helps to activate the depurative and diuretic functions.

Finally, you can moisturize the contours or areas of your horse's skin where lesions have appeared with oily products such as our vegetable vaselinea 100% natural care product that combines the moisturizing and emollient properties of 3 vegetable oils with the protective virtues of shea butter and beeswax. Indeed, the oily ointments create a protective barrier between the insect's mouth and the horse's skin and can prevent the insect from biting. In addition, this vegetal care deeply nourishes the skin and soothes irritations.

Note All products must be used with care and the instructions for use must be followed. The skin of a horse with summer dermatitis is often very sensitive and some horses are extremely reactive. Even natural-based products can cause severe irritation.

Source ThesisCutaneous pathologies common in horses and officinal therapeutics" by Mathilde Saumont