Step 0: Temporarily Increase Skin Supplements

Goal

Support the skin and a normal inflammatory response during a short-term flare-up and help the body return to baseline comfort.

Flare-up, the skin may benefit from more support than during everyday maintenance.

A short-term increase helps the skin cope with increased irritation and may help limit escalation.

How supplements may be used

Baseline reference

• Continue the same supplements used in the Maintenance routine
  

During an acute flare-up

• Temporarily increase the daily amount
• Commonly increased to twice the maintenance amount, and in some cases up to four times the maintenance amount, for a limited period
  

Once skin comfort improves, the amount is reduced back to the regular maintenance level.

BSAVA principle: Adaptive support during periods of increased physiological demand.

Short-term increases in supportive inputs may help the body manage temporary overload and support a return to balance.

Discover Skin Supplements

Step 1: Reduce Skin Stress Immediately

Goal

Limit further irritation so the skin can begin to settle during an acute flare-up.

Remove Avoidable Irritation for a Short Period

When the skin is flaring, even normal exposure can worsen discomfort. The priority during this phase is to temporarily reduce anything that adds extra stress to the skin, without trying to eliminate all triggers.

Helpful habits

• Shorten walks during peak exposure times such as high pollen, heat, or humidity
• Avoid muddy, dusty, or heavily vegetated areas where possible
• Pause swimming or bathing if the skin is already irritated
• Reduce rubbing from harnesses, collars, or clothing in sensitive areas
• Keep routines calm and avoid stress

Reducing skin stress early helps prevent flare-ups from escalating further.

BSAVA principle: Short-term reduction of aggravating factors.

Limiting additional irritation during acute phases supports skin comfort and allows recovery-focused care to be more effective.

Step 2: Soothe and Protect Sensitive Skin

Goal

Calm irritated skin and reduce self-trauma while the flare-up settles.

Use Gentle, Protective Skin Care

During acute phases, the skin barrier is more vulnerable. Gentle, protective care helps limit further irritation and supports the skin while it recovers.

Helpful habits

• Rinse exposed areas such as paws or belly with clean, lukewarm water after walks if needed
• Consider adding a gentle, anti-itching shampoo up to once weekly. Avoid overwashing.
• Pat the skin dry carefully, especially between toes and in skin folds
• Apply a skin balm to irritated or high-contact areas to reduce friction and dryness
• Keep nails trimmed to limit damage from scratching
• Discourage excessive licking or rubbing by redirecting calmly when possible
  

Soothing and protecting the skin helps reduce ongoing irritation and supports a smoother recovery.

BSAVA principle: Barrier protection during acute skin stress.

Supporting the skin barrier during flare-ups helps limit secondary irritation and allows the skin to regain balance more effectively.

Step 3: Monitor the Flare-Up Day by Day

Goal

Track whether the flare-up is settling and guide timely adjustments to care.

Habit: Compare Today to Yesterday, Not to Normal

During acute phases, improvement is usually gradual. Small daily changes matter more than expecting an immediate return to normal. Monitoring trends helps you know whether current support is sufficient or needs adjustment.

Helpful habits

• Check whether itching, licking, or redness is less intense than the day before
• Notice whether your dog settles more easily after rest or walks
• Observe whether affected areas look calmer or less irritated over time
• Keep a simple mental or written note of daily changes
• Avoid changing multiple things at once, so responses are easier to interpret
  

Steady improvement over several days usually indicates that the flare-up is resolving.

BSAVA principle: Ongoing assessment during acute support.

Regular observation helps ensure that supportive measures remain appropriate and allows timely escalation if improvement does not occur.

Step 4: Gradually Return to the Maintenance Routine

Goal

Reintroduce normal care and routines once the flare-up begins to settle.

Habit: Scale Back Acute Measures Slowly

As skin comfort improves, acute adjustments should be reduced gradually rather than stopped all at once. This helps the skin adapt smoothly and reduces the risk of rebound irritation.

Helpful habits

• Reduce supplement amounts step by step back to the regular maintenance level
• Resume normal walk length and exposure gradually
• Return to usual grooming and care routines once the skin looks calmer
• Continue gentle skin protection during the transition
  

A gradual return supports stability and helps maintain long-term comfort.

BSAVA principle: Gradual rebalancing after acute stress.

Slowly returning to baseline routines allows the skin barrier to adapt without renewed irritation.

Step 6: Consider Stress as a Contributing Factor

Goal

Acknowledge and address stress as a factor that can influence allergy flare-ups.

Habit: Recognise the Role of Stress During Flare-Ups

Stress does not cause allergies, but it often contributes to flare-ups. Increased arousal, routine changes, or reduced ability to settle can lead to more licking, scratching, or rubbing, which may aggravate already sensitive skin and prolong recovery.

During flare-ups, supporting emotional balance alongside skin care can help reduce compounding factors that influence skin comfort.

For dogs where stress appears to play a role, refer to our Stress & Calm Support protocols for dogs for practical, step-by-step guidance.

BSAVA principle: Interaction between stress, behaviour, and skin health.

Behavioural and emotional factors can influence self-directed behaviours that worsen skin irritation during allergy flare-ups.

Step 6: Know When to Seek Veterinary Guidance

Goal

Ensure appropriate professional care when a flare-up does not resolve as expected.

Habit: Ask for Veterinary Input When Improvement Is Limited

While many flare-ups settle with short-term support, some require veterinary assessment to identify underlying factors or secondary issues.

Contact your veterinarian if:

• Itching or discomfort remains intense or does not improve after several days
• Redness worsens or spreads
• Hotspots, open wounds, or signs of infection appear
• Ear problems become painful or recurrent
• Your dog seems increasingly uncomfortable or unwell
  

Veterinary guidance helps ensure that appropriate care is in place and that ongoing support remains safe and effective.

BSAVA principle: Appropriate escalation and clinical assessment.

Timely veterinary involvement supports accurate evaluation and coordinated care when flare-ups do not resolve with supportive measures.