how do i use benzyl benzoate for sweet itch?

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hollyflower

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My welshy has just moved to a new yard and for the first time in his 18 years has signs of sweet itch. The vet has given me bb to work into his mane, dock and sheath. He said the bottle should last all year but I have used it tonight and used a quarter of the bottle to coat the roots of his mane, dock and sheath. Something doesn't ad up! Is there a trick to it or am I supposed to be using it as midge repellent or how I have? He also gave me disinfectant to bathe his mane and dock in
 
Eek! Yep, I would have diluted it, fingers crossed your horse doesn't have an allergic reaction to it, I can't use it, or any products containing it since my little lad developed an allergy to it. He was fine the previous year, so I slapped it on willy nilly the next, que one unhappy pony, one very guilty owner + £80 vet bill later, I will never ever make that mistake again!
 
It has directions on it and they don't say dilute, nor did the vet. He just said get a handful and slather it on his mane , dock and sheath, it should last all year ?
 
dont dilute it, just squirt it along the root of the hair and massage it in with your fingers then comb it through, a bottle lasts me over a year.If you overdo it you may find your horse gets very scurfy and you will be brushing it off for hours.
 
hollyflower said:
It has directions on it and they don't say dilute, nor did the vet. He just said get a handful and slather it on his mane , dock and sheath, it should last all year ?
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I never diluted it either hollyflower, your horse will come to no harm.
 
Don't dilute it. My boy has this when he gets itchy and use a little bit on a wash cloth and rub it in. My bottle has lasted well over a year but obviously has not gone off. No need to dilute.
 
I think you can get it in shops but I'm not sure. You may be able to get it in shop. My next door neighbour gave it to me when he saw my boy itching on the fence and its worked wonders for him.
 
I didn't used to dilute but have only started doing that to make it last longer, I only put it on every few days as well, seems to work just as well - I think I got mine from hyperdrug.co.uk or viovet...one of those!
 
I just use it on top of horse's tail. Don't dilute it. You don't need to put it on daily and you just rub in a little bit.

You can get it from the chemist but you have to pretend you have scabies! I just got it from hyperdrug online at the recommendation of my YO. Only thing that has worked. And it does perfectly
 
Don't dilute and you can buy online or from a chemist, they do ask you what you want it for, but saying I need it for my pony usually raises a chuckle as most dispensers have no idea what we use it for.
 
You can get it on line apparently. Thanks for that, I think I was getting obsessed with every root being covered and he has a lot of mane! Poor thing!
 
Fab will have a look on line :). Is it worth putting it in a spray bottle is his easier or is it just as easy putting it on a cloth and rubbing it in? How does it work? Deter the midges or stop the itching? She's also started rubbing her face and has bald patches under her eyes and to the side of them too, guessing this would be to harsh for eye area? Am currently using net tex itch stop which seems to be working but I'm not sure if she's just not doing it when I'm watching!!
 
I'd be moving this pony to a different livery yard pronto! It is a horrible condition to inflict on an animal unneccessarily. But in the meantime, I've bought BB from Boots or local pharmacies in the past (you may have to order it), don't dilute it but apply thinly.
 
We used to mix it with liquid paraffin it seemed to help it adhere to the mane and tail rather than being chalky and flaking off.
 
You can apply it neat I used it many times and its very chalky. I think you are meant to rinse it off but I never did due to rain , rolling, long grass etc etc.

You can buy it from chemists but you need to find a nice one who will order you a huge bottle ie a litre etc. Lloyds chemist has got it for me before but they did have problems getting the larger bottles etc. Or look in internet. Its not POM.
 
LeannePip said:
Fab will have a look on line :). Is it worth putting it in a spray bottle is his easier or is it just as easy putting it on a cloth and rubbing it in? How does it work? Deter the midges or stop the itching? She's also started rubbing her face and has bald patches under her eyes and to the side of them too, guessing this would be to harsh for eye area? Am currently using net tex itch stop which seems to be working but I'm not sure if she's just not doing it when I'm watching!!
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Yes it is quite fumey it smells quite lavendery and I wouldnt get it near her eyes. I use to use my hands but wear some gloves and it may be too thick to spray. You could tip it on a soft brush(body brush) or non absorbant type cloth and slap it on. I use to slap it on and rub it in well to the skin(just like you were putting shampoo on(onto dry hair).I think you will need quite a lot of it for a horse. It smells nice though and makes the skin nice and soft! I think its quite soothing like calamine lotion!
 
The benzyl soothes the skin. It doesn't repel midges that's why I mix it with pig oil. Avon skin so soft bath oil (mixed with water in a spray), Naf Deet, a sweet itch rug and fly mask and my 2 with severe sweet itch are manageable. I've tried everything else and this is what works for them. Marmite sandwiches may have helped a little this year. I started them in Feb
 
Thanks guys :) ball do you Mis all those things together or is it just the BB and the pig oil? But you also use Avon SSS mixed with water and Naf deet? I did try the marmite thing but she wouldn't eat them so am just giving her brewers yeast in her feeds :)
 
I used to mix 50/50 bb with calamine lotion and "sponge" that on with cotton wool on a mare we had with sweet itch - this mixture seemed to work better than bb on its own. The calamine seems to "cool" the area. I got my bb from the local "horse friendly" chemist.
 
I use Deet and skin so soft together daily. I only use pig oil/BB if they have a bad outbreak of itching. Prevention is the key. Once they start itching its a nightmare to stop. Electric fencing, rugs and repellents and I have rideable ponies. If they get itchy I can't do anything with them :(
 
I have a bottle of BB (99.9%) Pure . Pharmaceutical grade . It says dilute with 4 parts vegetable oil to 1 BB . Will this work better neat? - or should I follow instructions? .
 
fernando06 said:
I have a bottle of BB (99.9%) Pure . Pharmaceutical grade . It says dilute with 4 parts vegetable oil to 1 BB . Will this work better neat? - or should I follow instructions? .
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DO NOT USE THIS NEAT! It needs to be made up as per instructions. BB you normally get is already made up into a 25% emulsion.
 
Imperial Leather talc contains BB and is easier to get into the roots of the mane and tail. Or use a bottle with a nozzle, the sort you get with home hair colourants, otherwise it just never gets down to the skin.
 
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