Culicoides hypersensitivity (sweet itch) causes intense seasonal pruritus in horses, with allergen-specific immunotherapy offering potential disease modification beyond symptom control.
Sweet itch causes intense, chronic seasonal pruritus - affected horses rub their manes and tails raw, create secondary skin infections, and are clearly distressed throughout the midge season. For severely affected horses, the condition dominates their welfare for months each year. Immunotherapy represents the only disease-modifying intervention available, with the potential to reduce disease severity significantly over time rather than simply managing symptoms. The commitment required (regular injections for years) is substantial, but for severely affected horses the welfare benefit justifies this investment.