Changes

In normal animals, the skin has an important barrier function. The integrity of the epithelium may be impaired in atopic animals, facilitating further exposure to allergens. Finding ways to help improve the barrier function of the epidermis can contribute towards the effective management of atopy.

In normal animals, the skin has an important barrier function. The integrity of the epithelium may be impaired in atopic animals, facilitating further exposure to allergens. Finding ways to help improve the barrier function of the epidermis can contribute towards the effective management of atopy.

====Diet and the skin====

Food trials are often used during the course of a work-up for atopic dermatitis to eliminate food allergy as a cause of pruritus. Many atopic animals non-specifically improve during food trials on prescription hypoallergenic diets, which may be attributable to several of their components. The inclusion of zinc and long-chain omega essential fatty acids is thought to reduce inflammation, and substances such as inositol, choline, histidine, pantothenate and nicotinamide may help improve epidermal lipid barrier⁴.

Many atopic animals non-specifically improve

following food trials, probably because high quality,

sensitivity control and hydrolyzed hypoallergenic

diets affect the skin barrier and/or skin immune

system. Nutrients believed to be important include:

•Zinc – decreases inflammation.

•Long chain omega (n-3) EFAs – alter eicosanoids

and decrease inflammation.

•Inositol, choline, histidine, pantothenate,

nicotinamide – improve epidermal lipid barrier

signs in atopic dogs.

====Topical therapy====

====Topical therapy====