In cattle, the lesions are most frequent on the udder and teats, and down the inside of the hind legs. Sometimes the skin of the face peels off. Prior to observable signs, milk production drops dramatically. The cattle in Jefferson County had heads swollen twice their normal size and had labored breathing because their nostrils were swollen shut, skin was peeling off, and parts of their skin on the udders were peeling off. Most animals will recover if treatment programs are initiated.
Adequate shade is needed.
Lactating cows should be dried up immediately. This reduces appetite and thus reduces the level of toxin being consumed if left in the pasture and allow diversion of nutrients to repair tissue. This also reduces the level of chlorophyll, reducing the phylloerthrin load on the liver. New Zealand researchers have shown that zinc supplementation may have protective effects against facial eczema. Dosing with zinc salts at the time the animals are exposed to toxic pastures will reduce the liver damage and the number of animals that develop facial eczema.