Scratches and Hives Oh My! with Dr Julia Miller

In this episode of StallSide, our host, Dr. Peter Morresey, interviews dermatologist Dr. Julia Miller, who specializes in diagnosing and treating skin conditions. Dr. Miller sheds light on two common issues that horse owners may face: scratches and hives.
Scratches are a skin condition usually affecting horses’ lower legs but can be present in other areas of the body. Dr. Miller explains the causes of scratches using the three P’s- predisposing,
primary, and perpetuating factors. She also discusses the benefit of tissue biopsies and prevention and treatment options, such as topical ointments and antibiotics.
Hives, on the other hand, are allergic reactions that can occur in horses due to various triggers, including Food, insect bites, and medications. Dr. Miller explains the symptoms of hives,
which include raised bumps on the skin and itching and emphasizes the importance of identifying and removing the trigger. She also discusses when to call your veterinarian and treatment options, such as antihistamines and corticosteroids.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Miller provides valuable insights and practical advice for horse owners on recognizing, preventing, and treating these common skin conditions. Tune in to this episode
of StallSide to learn more about how to keep your horse's skin healthy and happy!

[@SaddamHussain-ln1us]

Amazing with easy explanation

[@daniel_moretti]

Thank you so much!
I've had success with dealing with scratches:
1. Apply SSD, wrap with plastic wrap and leave on for a few hours up to around 24 hours.
2. Apply slightly diluted antimicrobial (like ketoconazole) shampoo and leave on for at least 10 mins ;) then gently remove the softened scabs, rinse and dry very well (I use a microfiber rag and sometimes a hairdryer).
3. Cover the pasterns with polo wraps (you can cut them if they're too long) to protect the skin from dirt in the environment. I found that the horse grinding its rear pasterns into the ground when getting up from lying down embeds dirt into the pastern skin. This is why wrapping is so important.
This protocol has cured a horse who had scratches for literally five years and everyone including the vet had given up on, and his stall was very clean. He's been scratches free for one year now!
Hope this helps!