Sweet
Itch
Photo of a horse with a bad
case of sweet itch Sweet itch is an equine skin condition
which, although not serious, causes the horse or pony intense
irritation.
Sweet itch is also referred to as "Summer Seasonal Recurrent
Dermatitis".
It is caused by an allergic reaction to the saliva of a species
of midge called Culicoides
The symptoms of sweet itch on
a horse usually only occur during the summer months.
The horse or pony will constantly rub himself
- causing hair loss and thickening and inflammation
of the skin in the affected areas, usually the mane,
hindquarters and tail.
The horse or pony's skin eventually becomes chronically thickened,
wrinkled and blackened - see photo.
During the winter months, with no midges about, the sweet
itch may disappear and the sore ares heal
Sweet itch in horses is an allergic dermatitis
caused by an allergy to the saliva of small midges
called Culicoides.
Some horses are much more susceptible to sweet itch than others,
and the condition can be hereditary.
In the case of sweet itch prevention is easeir than cure.
A horse or pony with sweet
itch should be kept stabled on days when midges
are more likely to be about, especially at dawn and dusk.
Fly repellants aren't that effective against
midges and gnats - if you do turn your horse out put on a fly
sheet or rug with a hood which covers him from head to
toe and which covers the belly as well.
Baby oil applied to the root of the mane and
tail can stop the midges getting a grip to feed.
Corticosteroid creams, ointments or injections can help to reduce
the inflammation in the skin.
Anti-histamines, such as benadryl, do not work well on horses
and are best avoided.
Some horse owners have reported sucess with adding garlic
or cider vinegar to the horses feed.
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