urticaria

[FAYEFUDGE]

My boy suffers from this terribly in the summer.
So far, he has had 2 steroid injections and the vet is reluctant to give him any more, for obvious reasons.
Im currently feeding him 60 Piriton a day (on vets advice) and this seems to be helping the situation but I was wondering if anyone had any tips on managing the symtoms (he's very lumpy!)!
We "think" his allergy is grass related, he's as bright as a button and seems very unconcerned by the whole thing.
Thanks

 

[the watcher]

Urticaria lumps and bumps and mast cells respond differently to different antihistamines. Piriton isn't the best but it is pretty much the only one available in large enough quantities to be financially viable. However for a very short spell you could discuss trying a different anti-h with your vet.

Lukewarm water only (not too cold) to sponge off, avoid scratching when grooming - as much as your horse may like it, it just makes the bumps worse, avoid aloe vera, menthol and other things designed to sooth the skin, they will just make it worse. Avoid extremes of temperature and that means not working your horse to the point that it gets hot too.

If you have an open mind to alternative remedies, make up a pint of nettle tea each day and add it to the feed when well infused

 

[Dirtymare]

If you have an open mind to alternative remedies, make up a pint of nettle tea each day and add it to the feed when well infused

Ooo, how very interesting. Does this work for humans too??

 

[narkymare]

poor poor horse - as a human sufferer i fully sympathise - its horrible!!!!!!!
i cant offer any more advice other then trying different medications and doses till you find the right one - good luck and give him a huge cuddle from me xxx

 

[abbieandfiona]

Would the liquid form of priton help as liquid gets into the blood stream quicker?

 

[FAYEFUDGE]

Thanks for all the replies!
I will def give the nettle tea a try!

 

[the watcher]

Ooo, how very interesting. Does this work for humans too??

Can do - tastes a bit like compost but isn't so bad when you get used to it

 

[kaidy]

Oh god!! I didnt realise horse got this too...poor things! I have suffered with it for 6 years now, and been for numerous allergy tests...still cant pinpoint it, but understand the triggers a little better. Fexofenadine once a day works wonders and keeps it at bay...see if they do a horsey version! Best of luck xxx

 

[TheBlack]

antihistimine doesn't work on horses

 

[the watcher]

antihistimine doesn't work on horses

Really?

Don't they have mast cells and plasma and all the other component parts required to demonstrate an allergic skin reaction - oh and a histamine response?

 

[cptrayes]

Do you feed carrots? I have a friend whose horse comes out in lumps if it is fed carrots in summer.

 

[criso]

I used to have problems with mine and Urticaria and someone on here suggested trying Global Herbs.

Combination of Restore and Imunoplus, it didn't completely get rid of them but took down the severity to the point that I didn't need steroid injections. They actually do a product called bumpy skin but I called them and imunoplus has the same active ingredients they said and more generally stocked

My experience was a vet jumping straight to the food allergy diagnosis, the one that came out initially (not my usual vet) was 100% convinced from the distribution and type of lumps it was a reaction to alfalfa.

I spent months on food elimination to no avail. In the end we took him to horsepital to have intradermal skin tests and the lumps vanished overnight. Conclusion - not food related but environmental. They recommended I move him which was fine as I wasn't happy at that yard and half looking. I moved him and touch wood he has been lump free now since last August.

Good luck