Clipper Rash - Help!

[minkymoo]

When I bought K he had a nasty clipper rash - probably from dirty clippers

I have been treating it with HibiScrub and Aloe Vera Gel on alternate days. It is getting better, but on the areas where his saddle is (both sides) and on the right side where his girth is it has started getting into one largish raised rash. I am treating this as above too, and I am not riding him but I was wondering if there was anything else I can do. It is sore and starting to get a bit flaky.

Shall I continue as I am or is there anything else? Apologies if I haven't explained it very well, I could try to do pics, but my internet isn't working at home.

Thanks!

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

If you spoke to your vet he may be able to prescribe some steroids for your horse. My horse had a rash and a week of them and she was right as rain.

 

[AmyMay]

Sounds like you may need to get the vet involved to give some kind of anti-inflamatory jab.

Personally I would stop using the hibiscrub, and would be tempted to stop washing the area all together. Remember we do need the natural oils in our body to help us heal, and you are currently washing them all away.

Have you tried applying Sudocreme to a small area to see if that helps and soothes at all??

 

[Maesfen]

Ditto Amy!

By disturbing it so often with washing you're not giving it a chance to heal plus you're taking all the body oils away.

Not pointed at you at all so don't be offended but I sometimes think they did horses a big dis service bringing Hibiscrub onto the public market; people are far too ready thinking it cures all skin problems whereas it sometimes compounds them when it is overused.

 

[minkymoo]

I have been thinking that, I guess it is hard to know what to do when people suggest what they think is the right thing to do. He is my first own horse so I want to make sure I do the right thing by him.

I might well just leave it alone now and try and give it some air. If it doesn't get better in a week I will get the vet out (again! Gah!)

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
I guess it is hard to know what to do when people suggest what they think is the right thing to do

[/ QUOTE ]
I know - too much advice can be sooooo confusing.

When treating my horse for things I quite often think 'what would I do if it were on me?' So essentially, if I had a rash I wouldn't continually wash it - but would try and sooth it.

 

[minkymoo]

What do you think would be best to sooth it? I am currently using Aloe Vera gel...

 

[SSM]

Donkey had an allergy after clipping when I hot towelled her - ended up with the vet out to give a steroid injection - think that might be your best route if this has been going on for several days.

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
What do you think would be best to sooth it? I am currently using Aloe Vera gel...

[/ QUOTE ]
To be honest in your shoes (and we all were once), I would be inclined to get the vet out. As SSM and others have said, perhaps a steroid injection will help clear it up more quickly than anything else. And as it is bound to be irritating, it would be good to get treatment sooner rather than later.

I'm sure that the alo gel will help. But I'd still probably get the vet.

 

[the watcher]

I guess the first question is - what is it that makes you certain that this is a clipper rash? If it is dirty blades as you suggest you would need to be treating a bacterial complaint, however if it is a consequence of allergy or sensitivity anti bacterial products may be too strong and may make the problem worse.

aloe gel is usually great for soothing skin - however one of the exceptions to this CAN be sensitised skin resulting from a an allergic reaction, there is an amount of salicylic acid in aloe vera that can cause the skin to react - if this is an allergy or intolerance reaction, you would be better to keep the horse cool, tepid sponging and gentle drying off if it gets overheated, and not working, anti histamines and steriods might help too.

If it is bacterial, you may need something stronger from the vet, if that is the case I wouldn't be riding this horse until you have identifed the cause - and be ready to change and lauder your numnah and girth every time you use them until it is cleared up.

 

[ColouredFan]

Personally (and I am speaking as an owner with a horse allergic to EVERYTHING!) i would stop using the hibiscrub, its far to harsh, I have found aloe vera helps (my horse is fed it everyday to help with allergies) Also echinacea added to the feed for a month should help (i use the liquid form made by NAF), but ultimatly i suspect the vet need to come and give a steriod injection first, followed by the things ive mentioned above to help. Good luck

 

[pocket]

When Ralph had it on his neck, vet suggested hibi scrub wash and Flamazine cream, which is used for burns and ulcers in humans, worked well and was back to normal within a week. My clippers were clean and he's never reacted before, just one of those things

 

[Shilasdair]

Just to be awkward, I'd suggest that you stop using both Hibiscrub (it isn't meant to be used on damaged skin, really) and Aloe Vera, as some horses can react to it too.
I'd call the vet, and in the meantime, I'd wash the rash off by just pouring saline solution over it (salt water) but without touching or rubbing it. Try to keep rugs/tack etc clean if they are in contact...too.
S

 

[minkymoo]

Thanks for all your advice. I will get the vet out to get a steroid injection. I know it is a clipper rash as it was mentioned by the vet when he had his vetting that it was most likely to have been caused by dirty clippers. (he came from a dealers yard where all the horses were fully clipped).

I do want to point out that I am not riding him at the moment, and will discontinue use of the HibiScrub.

Phew!