Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My pit bull has skin allergies. Any over-the-counter topical cream?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pit Bull Terrier | Female | unspayed | 2 years and 4 months old | 62 lbs

I have a 2 year old female pit bull that has been diagnosed with skin allergies . When she is prescribed an antibiotic and a steroid it takes it away temporarily but the vet we visited basically said she will probably deal with break outs forever . The pitties are notorious for bad skin. My question is , is there anything over the counter that a can use to help keep it under control? Like maybe some sort of topical cream

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 19th, 2018

I'm sorry that Mya has been having problems with continuing skin allergies! Unfortunately it is a life long problem, and there isn't an OTC cream that can help keep it under control. This kind of problem is best managed with a daily oral medication, and I'd recommend speaking to your vet about Apoquel. It's an excellent medication for dogs with allergies that has had great success in giving them relief. This may be a viable option for Mya, but speak with your vet to get their opinion. Good luck!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
What is the best over the counter medication for skin allergies for a pitbull
You have limited options that are effective in dogs over the counter. YOu can certainly try antihistamines (Zyrtec or Benadryl), if your vet gives the ok for them. Daily pet formulated fish oils can also create a natural anti-inflammatory barrier for your pets skin. Go to your local pet store and ask which fish oils are available in your area since they all work pretty much the same. I would also suggest a topical alleviant shampoo. My top pick here for one that is available without a prescription is Duoxo calm shampoo available on Amazon.com. However, since over the counter antihistamines only work for about 30-40% of pets, if you don't see a difference in Tom and Brady's allergies, I woiuild recommend discussing with your vet about pet allergy medication Apoquel or Cytopoint for more effectiveness. I hope that Tom and Brady's allergies resolve soon! Best of luck and take care. : )
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Food & Nutrition
My pit bull has this rash that flares up from time to time. We have caught her licking this area a couple times and so we bought hot spot spray but it doesn’t ever go away. Could this be a serious skin condition? We just noticed that now she has a w
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is pretty classic for good old allergies. Pit bulls are notorious for having environmental allergies. You can start by trying some Benedryl (see link below), omega 3 fatty acids (about 2,000 mg fish oil per day) and Duoxo Calm shampoo. This combo seems to work well for dogs with mild-moderate, occasional allergies. Unfortunately, many of my pitties with allergies end up needing temeril - P, apoquel, cytopoint, or other medications to control their itching. If you’re not seeing improvement in 1 week (or if worsening at any time) head to your vet for more immediate/stronger relief. https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/benadryl/ Best of luck to you and Rosie!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Which is the topical cream for alkergic dermititis?
Topical spray based on cortisone can be used. Topical ointment, usually based on steroids and antibiotics, can be used as well. Please discuss these options with your local veterinarian as these medications are only on prescription.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Two pit bull terriers...they are itching all the time. We've changed food, give them Claritin and Benedryl, they are on full protection so no fleas. My male is the worse, he smells, chews his feet, and has inflamed skin with bumps at times. My blue n
I can sense your frustration! It does sound like they have an underlying allergy. Dogs can be allergic to anything in their environment (pollens, weeds, trees, dust, etc), food proteins, or both. The smelly skin and swollen feet are secondary to that allergy. You need to find the source of the allergy. A food trial is easy but can be costly. However you need to compare it on a daily cost and not monthly. If you can't feed Royal Canin talk to your vet about other over the counter options- there may be something that you could try. You may also want to consider allergy testing with a blood sample. Also costly but every infection you treat is also costing money and testing could save you over time. I recommend wiping your dogs off after going outside to remove some environmental allergens and also omega 3,6,9s to improve the skin barrier. I hope this helps. Good luck and kisses to your furry kids!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
What can I buy over the counter for atopy for a dog?
Some OTC antihistamines (diphenhydramine, loratidine, chlorpheniramine, etc.) may provide relief. Prescription drugs, such as Atopica or Apoquel, may be more effective. These last two would need to be dispensed by your veterinarian. Never medicate your pet without the advice of your vet.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My pitbull been having a rash for a few months now , I shower her mostly everyday and out cream for rashes on her and nothing helps .. She itches herself so much she starts bleeding . . I really don't know what's the problem .. do you have any advice
I don't recommend bathing her everyday as it will dry out her skin. Bathing her once a week with a shampoo, like Epi-soothe, may help. It could be that she has allergies, fleas, mites, and/or a skin infection so she may need prescription medications to help treat. You could have your vet take a look at her to determine the cause and then determine the best way to treat. She may need an antibiotic, anti-histamine, and/or a corticosteroid to help. You could also add Free Form Snip Tips to her diet to help keep her skin and coat healthy.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My one year old pitbull is having a skin problem. I'm not sure what it is. I do know he has allergies. Can you help me figure out what may be wrong and what medicated shampoo and rise should I use?
Allergies can be frustrating to diagnose since they can have multiple causes (inhaled, food, contact, fleas). Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Tyson may require antibiotics. Your vet can also prescribe a short course of steroids if Tyson is itchy, then can dispense or recommend an antihistamine to prevent the itchiness from returning. Some antihistamines work better than others in different dogs, so you will need to find the one that works best. A pet approved colloidal oatmeal bath can also soothe irritated skin. Consider adding an essential fatty acid supplement (usually a fish oil) to the diet to promote healthy skin. EFAs may also decrease inflammation. Search www.petco.com for fish oil supplements or ask your vet about products such as DermCaps or EicosaCaps. Once allergies are diagnosed, your task is to try to determine what Tyson is allergic to and decrease or eliminate it. Discuss food elimination trials, hydrolyzed diets and allergy testing with your vet.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Can I use over the counter cortisone cream on my pregnant yorkie who has an allergy breakout on her back?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Short answer is yes. However, it is important to note that without treating the underlying allergy component, this will continue to occur. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then yo
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My pitbull has a rash in her ...armpit? right side front, and it's been there for weeks. She's constantly scratching, and I think it is also under her fur, and maybe her back leg - it's red, but I can't be sure if it's the same thing. I tried giving
Those spots on Rey could be several things including fleas, allergies, skin mites, bacterial infection, ringworm (which humans can get) or endocrine disease. There are a couple things you can do at home and they can help but they may not address the underlying cause. You can try adding in an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for dogs, this can help improve the skin health. You may also try changing her diet to something like Royal Canin or Nutro as they are aimed at skin health. You can wash the lesions once a day (not her whole body, just the lesions). Also protect the area from trauma by having your pup wear an elizabethan collar at all times. If the lesions do not start improving within a week or if they are getting worse, have her examined by the veterinarian. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 5 month old female pitbull had a rash that is spreading on her belly it is very hot and I can feel the heat.I have given her a benadryl once a day ,plus put 3way ointment, wound cream , sprayed itch spray for dogs on her and it getting worse
Hello, and thank you for your question. Poor Skye. My guess is this is a severe allergic reaction as well as secondary bacterial infection of the skin. If ointments and benadryl are not helping, she will require stronger, oral medications, to control the inflammation and treat the infection. This will require a visit to the veterinarian. I would recommend this visit within the next 12-24 hours, given how uncomfortable this looks for Skye. In the meantime, you could try giving Skye a bath with a gentle aloe and oatmeal type of shampoo, just to give her some temporary relief, and hope to wash off any surface allergens that may be irritating her skin. Rinse off the shampoo thoroughly with lukewarm water afterwards, and pat dry (don't rub). I hope this helps, and your little girl is feeling better soon.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Prescription Allergy Medicine for Dogs Prescription Shampoo for Dogs Allergy & Itch Relief Dog Shampoos Antifungal Medication for Dogs Dog Asthma Medication Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Dog Thyroid Medication & Hormone Care Cat Allergy & Itch Relief Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds OxyMed Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Pawtitas Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Remedy+Recovery Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief PetArmor Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Vet's Best Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief JustFoodForDogs Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Temaril-P Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Atopica Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Prednisone Prescription Allergy Medicine for Dogs Natural Remedies Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored