Mange is a skin condition caused by mites. Sarcoptic mange is contagious and causes hair loss, itching and crusty lesions on the stomach, chest and ears. Demodectic mange, also known as red mange, is not itchy or contagious but is more common. Demodectic mange causes hair loss and crusty skin when your dog's immune system is stressed and the demodex mites which live in your dog's hair follicles are able to proliferate. If your dog has developed either of these manges, you can try several home remedies to relieve any discomfort and help her get better.
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Diet
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Feed your dog the best diet you can. A healthy dog with a strong immune system is less likely to fall prey to the mites that cause mange. Check your dog's dry food to make sure it contains plenty of protein and as few fillers and preservatives as possible. If you can, feed your dog a homemade or raw diet to help his immune system fight off mange. Whether you switch your dog to a raw diet or feed him a high quality dry food, include dark leafy green vegetables in his diet--either pureed or lightly steamed and chopped.
Supplements
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Add fish oil, garlic, vitamin E and vitamin C to your dog's diet to improve his health and help him heal from mange. Olive leaf extract, astragulus and cat's claw are herbs which can boost your dog's immune system. Burdock root, yellow dock and dandelion can eliminate toxins in your dog. Sarsaparilla kills bacteria while nettle improves your dog's circulation. Echinacea tea or extract, brewer's yeast and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar are also dietary supplements that will improve your dog's health as well as fight off parasites.
Skin Treatments
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Bathe and brush your dog to remove damaged skin and scales. Additionally, you can apply many home skin treatments to her mange. You can apply simple warm, soapy water directly to the spots of mange, or steep sliced lemon in hot water overnight to create a lemon water. Plain yogurt as well as honey can be applied to your dog's mange to help her heal. Mix 1 percent hydrogen peroxide with water and up to 2 tbsp. of borax to create a weekly rinse that you let dry on your dog to fight her mange. Apply a mix of one part neem oil, one part lavender oil and 10 parts almond oil to your dog's mange as a home remedy. Other oils which may help are garlic oil, yarrow oil and any cooking oil.
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