u/rcss47

EDIT: She is not that big!! This picture was taken ages ago I have posted a more recent in the comments

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and comments.
Last night I used an anti fungal antiseptic medicated shampoo I found at the store. This morning she is not itching which is a huge improvement. She is chewing on her feet but only a little bit. I think it might be fungal or a yeast problem.
I’m going to look for a dog dermatologist for n the area as well.

My 13 year old dog has been dealing with nonstop itching/scratching ever since we moved from Colorado to Florida about 5 years ago. The vet says it’s allergies and originally allergy shots helped a lot — at first she only needed them once a year in spring, then every few months, and now we’re at once a month.

She’s on Advantix flea prevention, none of the other pets in the house have symptoms, and we’ve never seen signs of fleas in the house. I’ve tried multiple shampoos and regular baths help temporarily, but usually only for 12–24 hours before the scratching starts again.

She used to take allergy pills, but after years of trying to hide them in food, she completely refuses them now. At 13, I hate seeing her uncomfortable all the time, but I also don’t love the idea of weekly allergy shots — especially financially.

Has anyone dealt with this after moving to Florida or another humid climate? Did you find anything that actually helped long term? Diet change, medicated shampoo, cytopoint, apoquel alternatives, environmental triggers, anything? I’m honestly at a loss at this point and just want her comfortable. lol

Hi everyone—looking for some guidance because I’m not sure if I should revisit treatment or if I’ve already done what I can.

I first noticed increased shedding after my youngest was born in 2010. I assumed it was normal postpartum shedding, but it never really stopped. By around 2014, I was losing handfuls of hair anytime I ran my fingers through it or brushed it.

In 2016–2017, I saw a dermatologist who diagnosed me with female pattern hair loss (FPHL). He told me there wasn’t much that could be done beyond management. I was prescribed spironolactone and told to try minoxidil.

I did both—minoxidil helped a little bit along my front hairline (mostly around my face), but overall thinning has continued.

I’ve also had bloodwork done multiple times (thyroid, etc.), and I’m always told everything looks normal.

So I’m wondering:

Was that derm right that there’s not much else to do?

Are there newer or better treatment options now?

Has anyone had success after not responding much to minoxidil + spironolactone?

I’d really appreciate hearing what’s worked for others or what I should ask about if I go back to a derm.