seasonal skin care
Spring Skin by Claire Rowlands, BSc(Hons)
As we look forward to Spring, with it comes brighter days and longer turn out. A very welcome change certainly, but we must remember that with it comes a particular type of skin issue, commonly known as Sweet Itch.
Culicoides midge
Sweet Itch typically presents itself firstly as mild itching, usually along the mane and tail. As the condition develops you will see a localised loss of the hair, along with sore, open and broken skin. This is caused by biting midges and a subsequent reaction to their saliva left within the skin surface. In addition to midges, this seasonal itching has a number of other potential triggers, such as black flies, horse flies and pollen, all of which may cause skin irritation. The best way to deal with allergic reactions is to act before they occur, by using an antioxidant based supplement. Natural ingredients such as ginger and omicha berries are highly antioxidant and will flush out any build-up of damaging particles within the system. The inclusion of herbs such as liquorice will help soothe any irritation; great
for those suffering from sweet itch. The inclusion of MSM alongside the antioxidants will strengthen tissue from within and provide the building blocks for skin repair.
If the condition has already started to become apparent then it is best to support the supplement with a topical treatment until it can start working efficiently. There are a number of washes and salves available to support the skin, these contain a number of natural ingredients to boost skin immunity and provide comfort to the irritated skin. When treating specific areas try a water-based salve, rather than one with an oil base, as it soaks into the skin surface better and won’t leave behind a residue. Alongside these strategies there are a number of practical choices you can make to minimise the effects on your horse. Choosing grazing that is exposed, possibly a hill top field, with a lack of tree shelter will mean less midges, and moving your grazing away from water sources such as streams or lakes will also reduce the midge and fly burden as
they generally prefer a humid environment. Keeping horses stabled in the afternoon and evening when the midges are at their worst will give them some relief, especially if you are unable to find more suitable grazing. It is also possible to cover those prone to these reactions in a fly sheet from head to tail, and using a fly repellent alongside this will ensure the horse is kept cool and comfortable. In conclusion using antioxidant based supplements can reduce the chance of a reaction and support healing if a situation does occur, whilst salves and washes can calm the surface of the skin and boost healing. These products alongside suitable management can keep seasonal skin irritation at bay and help make your horse a happier one.
For further details please call the NAF Freephone Nutritional Advice line 0800 373106 or email
info@naf-uk.com.
www.naf-uk.com
Horses and ponies with sweet itch can cause significant damage to skin by scratching and rubbing in an attempt to relieve the constant itching
www.theequinesite.co.uk Equine Page 11
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