Contact Dermatitis/sun sensitivity.....HELP!!!!!

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SharonBirt

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Hi, I am getting desperate as my mare has been having issues with her white fetlock and I'm fighting and losing a battle.
Unfortunately I have the added issue that she is feeding her foal, which is 6 weeks old so vets unlikely to use anything that's going to indirectly affect the filly.
I have Fusiderm which doesn't seem to be making any difference, even if I hibiscrub the scabs off, it still scabs over and it is spreading around her fetlock and causing quite a bit of inflammation
I have googled it and have been over the past few weeks using Sudocrem ( I'm now on my third pot) this seems to be just holding it at bay but not improving the situation.
Any topical creams or otherwise that can be suggested that have shown success please tell me! I'm getting rather desperate.
We are going to a show in 3 weeks, I realise that it's something that I can white over with the cream, but it would be lovely if I could semi clear it up by then.
Please don't suggest I keep her in, I realise that the sun has a huge responsibility in causing this, but no can do with foal.
She was at a vet to be AI'd for a week (unsuccessful) thought these 5 days indoors would help, but seems not :-((((
 
I would not be using hibiscrub as it really is harsh and may make things worse, I use Gold Label Wonder Gel on most skin issues and it seems to work better than creams as it allows the air to get in rather than create a total block as sudocrem does.
If it is photosensitivity consider giving her a liver support, not sure which would be safe for a lactating mare but have used Global Herbs restore with success, milk thistle should be safe and is available from Hilton herbs, they are very helpful if you contact them.

http://www.hiltonherbs.com/products/milk-thistle-seed-tincture/178
 
Ditch the Hibiscrub in favour of mild soap/baby soap, do not over wash. Aloe gelly is excellent at soothing and they also make a great sun cream/sun spray with factor 40 as well as all the qualities of aloe.
 
martlin said:
Ditch the Hibiscrub in favour of mild soap/baby soap, do not over wash. Aloe gelly is excellent at soothing and they also make a great sun cream/sun spray with factor 40 as well as all the qualities of aloe.
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Hi thanks for above, I have only used hibiscrub twice in the 10 wks she's had it and very dilute.
I have used Filtabac cream from vets which has a very good sunblock in it as well as anti bac, but even this has failed to resolve issue.
So wish that Dermobian was still available.
 
Years ago with an arab with similar issues who we had on loan we had some cream from Mike Hayes (his vet not ours) called Arthur Wason heel cream which worked really well! I don't know what was in it to make up some myself but definitely had some Sulphur in it - and I am now a big fan of sudocreme and sulphur for Frank's random scabbiness.

However, if your mare's current issue isn't bacterial and has become more of an autoimmune inflammation type problem then this won't really help (neither will hibiscrubbing/filtabac etc) and I'd also be inclined to go the aloe vera route. I might also be tempted to cover it for a while once you have the aloe on. Am presuming steroids are a no with a foal?
 
Please don't try lots of different creams and lotions and potions, you could set up a huge problem. Things which are harsh and should be avoided IMO include oil based creams like Sudocreme, Hibiscrub, any aqueous based cream, sulphur or any commercial preparation where you aren'[t certain of the base or all the ingredients.

I would use steroids as soon as the foal is off the mare, but in the meantime I would use leg wraps as suggested to keep the legs out of the sun. To soothe the leg, Aloe Gel or Olve Oil.
 
Definitely stop using Hibiscrub. Instead try Nizoral, you can buy it from the chemist. Dilute in hand hot water lather up well and wash all around as well to prevent further spread.

If you are feeding anything with Lucerne (Alfalfa) in it stop straight away as some horses can be photosensitive when fed Lucerne. Also check Clover levels in your grass. If Lucerne is the culprit the skin should heal really fast.
 
WellyBaggins said:
Not read all responses but flamazine is the best for this problem and then sun/fly leg wraps
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Thanks everyone for your replies, yes realise clover can be a culprit and we do have a lot. What is puzzling is I bought this mare last July so had similar exposure to everything and she was fine. I do think the buttercups started it though.
I have been using fuciderm and first time didn't budge it, although after a spell of Sudocrem to soften scabs it seems that it is at last penetrating! Although now I have run out as we all know how big a tube of fuciderm is!!
I also have an out of date tube of flamazine which I may try if it flares up again.
I do feel regardless of the sun sensitivity possibility that it could be fungal or bacterial related as it has been moving around the Pastern as if I am actually spreading it by moving the cream around.
Today is the first day in weeks that the whole pasturn/fetlock doesn't look swollen.
So keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that this fuciderm is working.
I am so aware that putting things on left right and centre is not ideal, but then neither is leaving it, I intend to use aloe to soothe, once I have conquered this infection/ dermatitis / burn!!
Thanks so much for your help :-)
 
be positive said:
I would not be using hibiscrub as it really is harsh and may make things worse, I use Gold Label Wonder Gel on most skin issues and it seems to work better than creams as it allows the air to get in rather than create a total block as sudocrem does.
If it is photosensitivity consider giving her a liver support, not sure which would be safe for a lactating mare but have used Global Herbs restore with success, milk thistle should be safe and is available from Hilton herbs, they are very helpful if you contact them.

http://www.hiltonherbs.com/products/milk-thistle-seed-tincture/178
Click to expand...

Agree with this wonder gel is great stuff I use it for most skin conditions, Another good product is Hypocare heals everything really fast and its very kind on the skin.
 
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