Have you ever seen or dealt with a horse rubbing his neck on or between fence posts, even as he destroys his mane, tail, or hair coat in the process? He might be dealing with sweet itch.
Have you ever seen or dealt with a horse rubbing his neck on or between fence posts, on a tree, or other rough objects even as they destroy their mane, tail, or hair coat in the process? It’s frustrating and confusing for you and uncomfortable for them. The likely culprit? Sweet itch.
In short, sweet itch, or pruritus, is itchiness and results from stimulation of special nerve endings and receptors in the skin. Typically caused by insect bites, primarily midges and gnats, sweet itch also can develop with a combination of bites or conditions. With insect bites, it’s usually not the bite itself that causes the problem but rather an allergic reaction to the saliva.
Rule Out the Culprit
Because treatment depends on getting to the root cause, it’s important to investigate the source of your horse’s sweet itch before testing the solution. It’s also common for more than one problem to be present, which takes coordinating care. First, notice the distribution and nature of the sore areas, for example, are they on the neck and mane, the top of the tail, or the back? Your vet likely will be able to figure out which parasites or insects are responsible simply by looking at the lesions. Skin scrapings can be useful, too, and allow your vet to check for lice and other skin parasites, like mange mites. Finally, your vet can complete a full dermatology exam, including a skin biopsy.
Ouch Relief
Once you’ve confirmed that your horse has sweet itch, treatment can include a combination of methods to treat the topical irritation and improve skin health from the inside out. Some effective ways to manage include cold hosing and ice packs, which can soothe the inflammation. Medicated shampoos can help with inflammation and irritation. Increase and retain moisture in the skin to manage irritation, as well as hair loss and flaking. Products include emollient shampoos, sprays, and solutions that are water-based and increase hydration, and humectant shampoos, sprays, and solutions that are oil-based and coat the skin to reduce water loss. Topical barrier treatments can be useful as well.
Finally, feed your horse skincare and insect-repellant supplements, which may reduce the likelihood of bites or irritation if it does happen.
Bug Bite Prevention
- Use insect and midge repellents.
- Use fly sheets on the body, neck, and head.
- Avoid overnight or early morning and late-night turnout when bugs are more active.
- Avoid turnout near standing water sources.
- In stalls and barns, circulate air and strong fans to keep midges away.
