If your dog is itchy and scratching, he probably is suffering with one of the dog skin allergies. The symptoms can range from a mild discomfort to a really intense itching and major skin irritation. Left untreated, infections and open wounds can occur.

When the body encounters allergens, it responds by producing histamines that rush to the area affected. The histamines are what causes the itchiness and skin irritations.

Fleas are a major source of skin allergic responses. Their saliva carries an anti-coagulant which mixes with the dog's blood when he is bitten. This anti-coagulant causes the allergic response in many dogs. One bite is enough to cause minor to intense suffering depending on the individual dog's response.

Another common cause of skin allergies is the dog food your dog is eating. Most commonly corn and corn products are the culprit. Some more sensitive dogs have trouble with all grain products, such as wheat, rice or barley. The protein source can also be the root of the problem. There are dog foods containing single source proteins that are good for allergic dogs. There are foods containing fish, bison, turkey and even rabbit. It may help to try smaller bags of each type of food to see which ones your dog can eat without feeling itchy afterwards. The reaction is usually dramatic, occurring within a day or even hours after the feeding.

At the same time as you are dealing with the cause of the problem, you want to relieve your pet's suffering. Your veterinarian can prescribe steroidal medications and make recommendations for ointments and baths. Trips to the beach for swimming or playing at the water's edge will greatly help your dog's skin, eradicate any fleas and ease a lot of the anxiety he may be feeling. Pet stores carry oatmeal bath products which are also quite effective at soothing the itchiness. A massage oil made of sweet orange essential oil and almond oil is a natural repellent when rubbed into the fur.

If your dog's allergy was food based, once you find a good formulation for him, make sure you always have a sufficient amount of that food. A food based allergy will manifest itself almost immediately so it is important never to run out and substitute another food. Mix parts of the old bag with a new bag to ensure that any variety in formulation does not provoke a response.

If fleas are the culprit, they must be eliminated from the house, yard and, of course, your dog. Orange oil products are remarkably effective and totally safe, plus the smell is cheery and quite wonderful. Dogs do not shy away from a massage with orange and almond oils. Take the essential orange oil and drip it onto the dog's collar for protection against any fleas outdoors. Buy borax and sprinkle it around your house. Fleas love carpets. Push the borax into your carpets with a stiff broom, wait a few minutes and then vacuum it up. Then sprinkle lavender and peppermint leaves around. They also repel fleas and make your house smell wonderful.

When your dog has an allergic skin response, you have two tasks. First you want to alleviate his suffering and stop the itching as quickly as possible. Then the source of the irritation must be located and dealt with.