Sweet Itch Treatments

There is absolutely nothing sweet about this itch that can be the bane of your favorite steed's life. Sweet itch is an allergic skin disease caused by the Culicoides midge fly also simply known as the midges during the spring and summer months, between April and October. When the midges bite, some horses develop an allergic reaction to the saliva of the flies. This irritates the skin of the horse and the poor animal, desperate for some relief, can cause further damage by viciously itching itself.

  1. Prevention Is Better Than Cure

    • Treatments for sweet itch are best when they are preventive in nature, because there is very little that can be done once for an already affected equine. There are two parts to preventive treatment -- reducing exposure to the midges and using insecticides to kill or repel them. If a horse does get zapped by the midges, the itching can be controlled with anti-allergy treatments.

      Unless preventive measures are taken, your horse is condemned to misery year after year. Because this is a seasonal problem, you know when to start "fly-proofing" the stables with the fine-mesh screens available these days. Install a ceiling fan or wall-mounted fan to create a breeze around your horses. The flies are going to find it much harder to land on them. Stable your horses during periods when the flies are super active, which is dusk and dawn, and keep the doors and windows closed. Sheets and hoods that can be used to cover the horse when it is turned out of the stables are commercially available.

      Midge flies thrive around ponds and marshes, but, for some reason, do not venture too far from their breeding site. If possible, avoid turning your horses out near marshy fields and move them away to a drier, and windier site, about half a mile or so from the breeding site. Also, remember to clean the horse's water trough regularly to prevent the flies from breeding in and around it.

    Getting Rid of Midges

    • To help prevent sweet itch, your next step should be to repel the flies and deter them from harassing your horses. There are many fly repellents available on the market. They typically contain benzyl benzoate, garlic, permethrin, or citronella; however, those containing DEET (diethyl toluamide) are considered the most effective. Before you try any repellent on your horse, test it out on a small patch of skin to make sure there are no adverse reactions to the product.

      Another great strategy to repel midge flies is to coat your horse with oil. Midges do not like coming into contact with oil, and thus are not likely to land on a horse covered in it. Apply the oil onto your horse's coat at least two to three times a day, for best results.

    Anti-Allergy Treatment

    • Corticosteroids are by far the most potent product used to treat a skin allergy in the horse. It is best not to use them without directions from the vet, as they have side effects. However, once applied, they will allow the skin to start the healing process by stopping the itching.

      If you do not like the idea of using such strong steroids, there are some preparations made from eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, citronella oil or mineral oil that can work as an anti-allergy treatment. Finally, you can use calamine lotion or other soothing creams to reduce the itching and inflammation and bring temporary relief to the horse.