Sweet itch causes intense itching and skin damage in horses sensitive to midge bites. New immunotherapy approaches offer hope beyond traditional management.
Sweet itch is one of the most distressing conditions horses experience, causing relentless pruritus that disrupts sleep, grazing and social behaviour. Severely affected horses may self-traumatise along the mane, tail and belly. Traditional management relies on barrier methods and antihistamines with variable success. Allergen-specific immunotherapy, where available, requires a multi-year commitment but can significantly reduce hypersensitivity, improving welfare substantially for severely affected animals.