Are you in love with a pug, English bulldog, French bulldog, or any wrinkly dog for that matter? If yes, you pawsitively need to know about Skin Fold Dermatitis. As its name suggests, this skin condition impacts skin folds—from facial wrinkles to tail pockets. Wrinkly dogs and brachycephalic breeds with short, flat faces and skin folds are more prone to this condition. Fortunately, this common canine skin disease can be prevented with proper wrinkle cleaning and care.
Before
Signs & Symptoms of Skin Fold Dermatitis
- Skin Irritation, hair loss
- Red or raw-looking skin between creases
- Foul odor
- Secondary skin infection (pyoderma)
- Scratching, licking, or chewing
While wrinkly faces are commonly impacted, so too are folds near tail pockets (tail fold dermatitis), as well as on the belly near private areas in female dogs (vulvar tail fold dermatitis).
What’s Lurking In Between Your Dog’s Wrinkles?
Think of all the things that can get trapped in dog wrinkles throughout a normal day. Every time your dog eats or drinks, tiny particles of food and water can dive between wrinkles and lead to irritation or infection. Not only are wrinkles great at trapping things, but also, your dog’s adorable wrinkles offer the perfect dark, moist, warm, and isolated space for bacteria to thrive.
Fight Back Against Skin Fold Dermatitis
The first step to resolving infected or irritated wrinkles is to clean them out and apply a topical antimicrobial medication. Repeat this process at least once a day even after you see improvements.
If your dog is itching, chewing, or licking the affected area, it only makes the problem worse. A soothing balm made specifically for dogs can help reduce discomfort so your dog stops messing with the area long enough for it to start healing.
Visit your veterinarian if your dog is not getting better or if their condition worsens. In rare and extreme instances, abnormal skin folds may be removed via surgery.
After
Clean Wrinkles are Healthy Wrinkles
To maintain healthy and stink-free wrinkles, clean them often—we’re talking one to two times each day. This will help prevent the buildup of debris, dirt, and bacteria that lead to infection and irritation in the first place.
To clean wrinkles:
- Use a clean moist towel to gently clean out wrinkles and remove debris.
- Go back through using a clean dry towel to remove any moisture left behind.
Moisture increases the risk of irritation and infection, so it’s important to keep wrinkles clean and dry. If your dog tends to splash more water than she consumes, you may need to wipe down her face more often throughout the day. The same goes for messy eaters and dogs who love to roll in the dirt.
How to Naturally Treat & Prevent Skin Fold Dermatitis
Wrinkle Balm was specially formulated to treat Skin Fold Dermatitis. Natural Dog Company’s all-natural balm soothes on contact while offering powerful, yet gentle, anti-fungal properties to battle bacteria, yeast, and crusty buildup. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, Wrinkle Balm improves skin fold condition while preventing future outbreaks. Because dog wrinkles are too doggone cute to stink!
