Other animals may show only mild signs, and treatments for dry skin, skin infections, or fleas may solve most of the problem. Avoidance This can be a very important part of managing atopy. While it may be impossible to completely eliminate all of the offending agents many can be reduced with minimal effort on the part of the owner. For avoidance therapy to have any benefit the offending agents must be identified through intradermal skin testing. Avoidance is rarely a complete treatment in itself but is used in conjunction with other treatments.
Topical therapy consists of shampoos and rinses and topical anti-itch solutions.
Topical therapy offers immediate but short-term relief. I recommend bathing atopic dogs at least once every two weeks with a hypoallergenic shampoo or colloidal oatmeal shampoo. Hydrocortisone shampoos may also be used. Weekly or even twice weekly shampoos may offer increased relief for some dogs. Cats, too, may be bathed.