Episode 13 - Summer Itchin‪’‬ The Skin Flint Podcast

For this episode Sue, John & Paul invite the wonderful Victoria (Tori) Robinson onto the podcast - a dermatology specialist based in referral practice in Glasgow.
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Intro
(00:00) - The Skin Flint team open the episode and introduce the guest for this itchy episode.
 
 
Chapter 1 – Summer itchin’, had me aghast...
(02:30) Sue welcomes Tori, who briefly introduces herself and her background.
 
(03:15) Sue asks what would we mean by 'summer itch' and Tori says this can mean a higher level of pollen, but also possibly parasites as there is more agricultural activity happening.
 
(04:25) John asks whether it is something that all dogs do - itch more as it gets hot? Tori replies that not all dogs should scratch, they may do occasionally but it is about noticing when it manifests into more of a problem with frequency and intensity (e.g. with patches of hair on the carpet or your dog not being able to be distracted from it). Then hair loss or reddened skin can be the next indicators of a problem and an owner should see a vet.
 
(05:44) Sue asks about brown staining on the coat and how this isn’t necessarily dirt – Tori shares how this is discolouration from excessive licking and can be a marker for a secondary infection such as a yeast overgrowth or bacterial overgrowth which in of themselves are very itchy, and so this discolouration can be an indication there is a problem.
 
(06:37) Sue asks whether quality of life is affected even if a pet doesn’t get sore from the itching. Tori says how for us it can be really bothersome to have an itch and so it is the same for animals. She says how sometimes it is not until an owner has begun to treat the itch, that they realise how much it has been affecting their pets health; with them becoming less irritable, sleeping and eating better and generally more comfortable. Sue clarifies that without even soreness, the increased saliva staining and scratching would be enough to need to investigate further and Tori echoes this, saying vigilance with your pet is important as this may be more obvious in some breeds than others.
 
(08:18) John asks what the most common causes of itching would be and Tori mentions this could be related to area or lifestyle, but could also be related to parasite infestation such as fleas, or harvest mites (which are geographically restricted) – or pollens and moulds. So there are lots of geographical things which can be a factor in summer itch.
 
Chapter 2 - Summer itchin’ happened so fast...
 
(09:38) John asks if there is anything a pet owner could do at home prior to going to the vet, to which Tori highlights how good parasite control can go a long way to helping the 10-40% of pets who present for routine treatment and have some form of parasite infestation. She also points out not all the parasite products are as good as each other and so it is still worth speaking to the vet to make sure you have the most appropriate treatment. She also points out how bathing the pet can really help to manage summer itch before it starts to wash of pollens and prevent secondary infections.
 
(10:54) Sue asks what Tori would means with a shampoo – what sort of active ingredients should an owner look for. Tori starts with soothing shampoos – saying they will have things like colloidal oatmeal in which can help with moisturising and phytosphingosine to help with skin barrier function; and all of these types of moisturising agents are designed to help build up the protective barrier the skin forms against things that the pet is allergic to. Tori then talks about the antiseptic shampoos, saying most will contain chlorhexidine when purchased from the vets; she warned against just buying something over the counter, particularly with human shampoos as he’s had a different pH which is not suitable for a pet.
 
(12:43) Sue asks about antihistamines and oil supplements which she may also buy over the counter and Tori discusses how anti