Types of Canine Skin Rash

Scabies and Mange

• Dog scabies is caused by sarcoptes scabei, a mite. A rash and itchy scalp result because the dog has an allergy to the mite. You may be able to see scaly, thin lines on the dog's skin, which are the burrows that the mites have made in the skin. Their eggs are left in a trail behind them.

  When a dog is stricken with demodicosis, commonly known as mange, he is suffering from an inflammatory disease that is caused by a mite called demodex. The mites inhabit the skin and the hair follicles, and this inflames the canine's skin, causing him to chew, scratch, lick and itch. Another type of mange, sarcoptic mange, results in horrible itchiness for your dog. The sarcoptes scabiei mite causes this skin condition, which is highly contagious.

Pyoderma

• If a dog has a wound or a skin infection, the likelihood increases that he will get an infection, particularly a bacterial infection called pyoderma. Pyoderma is a common bacterial infection that afflicts the skin of a dog. It causes the skin to swell and pus-filled pustules and lesions to form. Hair is often lost. If the dog has a deep cut in his skin, this infection can get into the inner folds of the dog's skin, which is referred to as deep pyoderma.

Allergic Reaction

• Dogs can have allergic reactions just as humans do. This can result in hives, which are itchy, circular patches on the dog's face or elsewhere on his body. The dog's eyelids may swell. This is often the result of a vaccination or an insect bite or an antibiotic that the canine is allergic to. Dogs respond well to antihistamines when they are having an allergic response to something.

Fleas

• A flea-plagued dog is at risk for problems with his skin. It will become inflamed, and red papules can be seen on his skin where the fleas are concentrated. This is called flea allergy dermatitis. The dog's hair will fall out and his skin becomes scaly and dry. The skin may break down and raw areas will appear that can become infected and crusty. The skin may become thick and darker in pigmentation.

Ringworm

• If a canine has ringworm, you will see round lesions that are hairless and small. There will be scaly skin in the center of the lesion, and there may also be pustules on the lesion. The lesion will grow and will itch and irritate your dog. This condition can spread across your dog's nose and face.

Yeast

• When a dog is suffering from a yeast or other fungal infection, his skin and feet will itch. He will rub his nose, lick his genital area and his paws and also have an itchy face, throat and mouth. The yeast infection will cause inflammation, redness and an odor under the folds of his skin and between the dog's thighs, on his lips and in between his toes.

Scalp Psoriasis

• Scalp psoriasis will cause scaly and bright patches at the tips of your dog's legs, elbows and in the sacral area and in his scalp. There will be pink patches, which will later lose their color as the areas that are infected develop scales that are silver.