Sweet itch

The Summer eczema is a partly hereditary skin disease of horses.

Cause

The sweet itch arises as a result of an allergic reaction ( hypersensitivity type I) to the saliva of biting insects such as mosquitoes of the genus Culex, midges or blackflies. Most commonly it occurs in places with vertical hair, so top of the tail, the mane comb and the ventral suture.

Imported Iceland horses are especially vulnerable due to an overreaction of the immune system after the import. Usually 3 of 4 Icelanders in the first year fall ill after import. The occurrence of summer eczema in horses drawn on the continent Iceland corresponds to the other races.

Other Robust breeds, especially Haflinger, Norwegian and imported Criollos are more prone to sweet itch, as well as friezes. In recent years, an increase in diseases also other breeds is observed. The reason for this could be the one that has become increasingly popular welfare loose housing and thus increased contact with the allergy-causing insects, on the other, the increase of negative environmental influences. Wrong, especially abundant feeding and lack of exercise play for the outbreak of the disease also play a role. Therefore, summer eczema is one of the " diseases of affluence " of the horses.

Symptoms

The first signs, small pustules by the insect bite are directly dependent upon nor hardly recognizable. As a rule, first falls on the strong urge to scrub, along with a restlessness of the horse. The constant rubbing first fall from the hair and make it to open, sometimes festers. This attracts even more on insects. This creates a cycle that reinforces itself.

The tail root, mane comb and also the belly and rump as well as the ears and chin are the most commonly affected sites.

Prevention and treatment

Helps prevent sweet itch the protection of horses from insect bites, eg by means of so-called eczema blankets and grazing only to periods during which the insects are less active, eg during the day in dry heat or high winds. By night, the horses should be stabled because the mosquitoes are most active during this period. The treatment of horses with repellents also has a preventive effect, as insect bites are thereby reduced.

With an existing summer eczema treatment consists in further prevention according to the above section. In addition, soothing ointments or in more severe cases, corticosteroids may be used. Any existing secondary infection must also be treated.