Flea allergy dermatitis is the most common skin disease in dogs globally, caused by an allergic reaction to flea saliva that causes intense pruritus from minimal flea exposure.
Flea allergy dermatitis causes intense, maddening pruritus from what may be invisible flea exposure - owners with no visible flea infestation cannot understand why their dog is scratching. The constant itch drives dogs to scratch, bite and rub their skin until it is raw and infected. Secondary skin infections cause additional pain and systemic illness. The condition is entirely preventable with consistent effective flea control, making most flea allergy suffering preventable. The trap of inadequate or inconsistent prevention leads to cycles of flares, treatment and brief improvement followed by return of the problem when prevention lapses.