Description
Solar allergy is an inflammation of the skin induced by excessive exposure to UV-light.
Urgency
Danger
Course
Sun allergies mainly develop in spring or during the first summer months when sudden intensive sunlight follows a couple of clouded days. Nearly always the nose bridge is affected. The coat falls out and the skin becomes crusty and brittle. Sometimes also bloody or purulent skin lesions form.
Cause
Strong UV radiation damages the skin and results in a kind of burns. Particularly affected are dogs with short, bright coat. Unpigmented skin areas, as can be found on the bridge, muzzle, lips, ears or eyelids of the dog, are usually those points where the symptoms are first visible.
Therapy
The diagnosis of a sunlight allergy is normally relatively easy. The veterinarian gives the dog a burn ointment after determined diagnosis. The dog should not be exposed to any sunlight until the symptoms decayed.
Emergency measures
If the dog has bald spots on head or back, these can be rubbed carefully with some suncream for kids for protection in summer. If the allergy developed, the animal should stay inside until the inflammation decayed, or only be taken for a walk early in the morning or late in the evening. If the lesions (damages) are not too large, a burn alleviating ointment or aloe vera can be applied. If the animal can reach the area with the tongue, it will shortly lick off the ointment. Therefore it is recommendable to cover the skin where the ointment is rubbed in additionally with some Vaseline. Then the ointment will stick longer.