Stress and itchiness?

[PapaverFollis]

Is it possible that a burst of stress could trigger and allergic type itchy skin response?

We've just moved the horses 400 miles, 2 weeks ago. They didn't have an awful journey up, just very long in the end, but they didn't come off the wagon looking fresh as daisies either! So had a bit of stress moving, also the general stress of a new yard to contend with.

Anyway... Granny was straight away quite generally itchy then about a week ago she rubbed her face raw on something. She's done this before so we started the usual treatment and as usual it all seems to have helped. So I'm not asking for help in sorting it out, just musing on possible causes.

Obviously "a new allergen" would be top pick since they've moved such a long way but as I say it has happened before!

Last time it happened we thought she might have had an allergic reaction to a tub trug. Which sounds mad but it was the only thing that really fitted. This time she was getting water from a tub trug in the field for the first time in ages (metal trough at last place)... ah ha! Although I'm highly sceptical that she could be allergic to inert plastic!

So I've been mulling it over. It's definitely not sweet itch, despite the Scottish midges. It's general itchiness but mostly on her face, hence buckets being a possible culprit. Could be pollen but hasn't been consistent in time of year and one year happened late winter before anything could possibly out.

But I did realise there's a general coincidence with just after a yard move.... so my question, well wondering or musing really, is whether the stress of a yard move could trigger an itchy response that looks like an allergic reaction? I think she's had it once when she hadn't moved yards but a horse walker had just been installed outside her stable and was driving my old gelding wild with stress, she could have been affected by that too?

Any thoughts?

 

[Reacher]

What about the grazing? Is there a lot of clover or anything that could bring on an allergic reaction?
When I bought my (now retired) ex racer she self harmed (rubbing face making it bleed) which we eventually put down to stress of the move. I did have her allergy tested and she was positive to one plant (can't remember it's name)

 

[PapaverFollis]

What about the grazing? Is there a lot of clover or anything that could bring on an allergic reaction?
When I bought my (now retired) ex racer she self harmed (rubbing face making it bleed) which we eventually put down to stress of the move. I did have her allergy tested and she was positive to one plant (can't remember it's name)

That's interesting that yours did similar possibly in response to stress... there is clover, buttercups and a couple of other things in the new field but I'm not inclined to think it's something she's eating outside as it has happened on one occasion when she was stabled 24/7. (Although it's possible there was the allergen in the hay at that time I suppose). We had the vet out that time and he suggested it was likely to be a contact allergy rather than some thing she was eating or breathing in, but who knows with allergies really.

I suspect she's generally itchy and allergic to lots of stuff but it stays at a low level until a stressful event or environment happens and then it tips over into the face self harm itching. There's definitely a correlation between her worst itchy episodes and times of stress.

 

[Reacher]

With mine we initially thought lice etc and treated her, still self harmed, vet took skin biopsies for analysis and blood tests, nothing much showed up, gave me fuciderm ( I think) cream for the wound, nothing helped. Eventually she stopped doing it. The wound was above her eye.
Current riding horse is a very itchy horse, rubs tail, mane and nose. Think he is a generally allergic type. I treat him as a sweet itch horse. We also have a lot of buttercup and clover (am trying to get rid of it) which I think may contribute. I try and limit his exposure.
FWIW I've attached a link to the calm healthy horses website which discusses clover. I use their supplements to counteract mineral imbalances, on the advice of my trimmer. Might not be relevant but thought it couldn't do any harm.
http://www.calmhealthyhorses.com/grass/rye_clov.html

Hope if it is stress related things calm down quickly