Blue Cross blog

Blue Cross supports sweet itch awareness month this March. For horses and their owners the joys of summer can soon turn into a nightmare if sweet itch strikes. Blue Cross education officer Kerry Doyle reveals more about this condition and what you can do to help…

Sweet itch, or summer seasonal recurrent dermatitis, is an allergic reaction to the saliva of biting midges, sand flies and a type of black fly. This common problem is known to affect around three to five per cent of horses in the UK. If left untreated sweet itch can cause a horse extreme discomfort.

Sweet itch season normally runs from April to October although it can occur in earlier and later months during the year.

Symptoms 

• Itching
• Hair loss
• Dandruff
• Weeping sores
• Thickening of skin

Areas affected

Most common areas are along the spine, mane, forelock and tail. Other areas affected in more severe cases are underneath the stomach, saddle area, head, sheath and even legs.

The best way to help a horse suffering from sweet itch is to prevent midges and flies depositing saliva on them.

Control of sweet itch

• Apply an insect repellent regularly, but be careful that your horse does not develop a reaction. (The skin of a horse with sweet itch can be sensitive. Ask your vet if you’re concerned).
• Keeping your horse in the stable during dawn and dusk on mild, humid days will help to minimise biting.
• Graze affected horses in drier, open areas. Midges like woodland, water or decomposing vegetation.
• Special sweet itch rugs can be bought that cover the horse from poll to tail to stop the midges getting to the skin and to protect from rubbing. These can be useful as they can be worn in or out of the stable.

Feed supplements are available to help promote healthy skin and reduce the effect of the reaction. The active ingredient Nicotinamide has been shown to have an effect on the immune system of the skin.

Managing a horse with sweet itch can be difficult but, once a suitable regime has been set in place, keeping on top of the condition can become easier. Working with your vet can help speed up any management problems you are experiencing.

For more information and advice, visit our free equine factsheets.