PEA is most effective for itchy skins caused by a sensitivity to environmental allergens.
Read how atopy is diagnosed here.
For the results of a clinical trial click on this link:
STEPS TO TAKE FOR THE BEST RESULTS:
1. Before purchasing PEA be sure to rule out fleas, ticks, lice, mites and primary bacterial and yeast infections first.
This is easily done by both you and your vet carrying out a few simple tests. These are listed here:
2. Also, rule out flea bite hypersensitivity, which is still the commonest cause of itching in dogs.
This is not always easy, as a single bite can cause skin irritation and inflammation lasting for weeks, even if a flea jumps on, briefly sucks blood and leaps off again. And finding evidence of the odd flea being present on a pet or in the home can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. The most effective way to do this is described here.
NOTE:
Using chemical spot-ons or tablets to 'protect against' ectoparasites does not prevent itching in pets who are allergic to bites as such products typically take 4 to 12 hours to kill off fleas that land on the skin, which allows plenty of time for them to feed and provoke a reaction first.
3. If atopy has been diagnosed by your vet or you haven't seen itching get better or worse with any changes in diet, then a sensitivity to environmental allergens is the most likely cause of skin issues.
This being the case it's worth trying PEA for 12 weeks to see if it helps, given that this has been shown to significantly reduce itching in around 2 out of 3 atopic dogs.
NOTE:
It can take PEA 12 weeks to achieve peak effect for some dogs, and so it is important to continue supplementation for at least this length of time.
It's also essential not to change a pet's daily routine, diet, skin care regime or any other part of their regime during the trial period, which may affect the skin, so that the effect of introducing PEA can be accurately assessed.
4. Monitor itching / inflammation using the skin progress card supplied as this makes it much easier to see what effect, if any, supplementation with PEA is having. Taking pictures at the start and 12 weeks later will also help.
5. Avoid allergens which are known to cause reactions as much as possible.
Keep off grass and away from areas heavily populated with flowers / shrubs / trees for example, if your pet reacts to pollen or plants.
Reduce contact with dust / dust mites / fungal spores etc if these trigger itching / irritation / eruptions by removing / preventing direct contact with soft furnishings / stuffed toys and bedding etc.
6. Wash all over with clean running water and pat dry with a clean, white cotton sheet after walking / spending any time outside to prevent allergen build up on the skin.
If a visit outside is brief, and the paws are the areas most affected, rinse down the lower limbs with water instead.
NOTE:
If after 12 weeks there is no improvement it's time to conduct food trials if these have not been done.
If itching has reduced, but there is still room for further improvement, adding Immunity to the diet and giving the Insect plus Itch Relief remedy for 12 weeks is the next step.
If further guidance is required at any stage, please get in touch using our contact page.