Pruritus, atopic dermatitis, and other skin issues are some of the most common things veterinarians see in practice.
Most pet owners want the “quick fix” with pharmaceuticals that work rapidly and effectively. (Think Apoquel, Cytopoint, Allergy Shots)
However, these drugs do not come without significant adverse effects.
In a 2014 study a fairly new drug (oclacintinib maleate) that treats allergic skin disease by disrupting the body’s kinases, or JAKs (JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, and TKY2, which are signaling compounds that cells use to communicate with each other), a significant number of side effects occurred.
Oclacintinib suppresses JAKs to alleviate itching. But JAKs are key elements that:
1. Police the body against tumor formation
2. Control body growth and development
3. Form white and red blood cells
4. Ensure that antibody-forming B cells and T cells are functioning properly
5. Regulate the inflammatory response
By suppressing the above functions, you have adverse drug effects that can include increase in tumor / mass formation (including malignancies), systemic infections (skin, urinary, GI), and much more.
In addition to nutrition evaluation, husbandry, chemical exposures, etc., essential oils can play a key part in modulating allergies without the risk of adverse drug reactions (ADE’s).
Some of the top essential oils for dermal health many holistic veterinarians incorporate into their practices include:
** 1. Lavendula angustifolia: antimicrobial, anti fungal, anti-inflammatory, tissue repair, regrowth of hair follicles, relaxation (breaking “itch cycle”), etc.**
** 2. Boswellia carterii (frankincense): anti-inflammatory, tissue regeneration, antimicrobial, antringent, stimulates circulation, tonic to the skin, anti-tumoral, etc.**
** 3. Helichrysum: detoxifier, tissue regeneration, anesthetic, nerve regeneration, etc.**
** 4. Copaiba: pain reliever, strong anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, etc.**
** 5. Manuka: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, natural antibiotic for the skin (i.e. MRSA), pruritus, relaxing**
** 6. Roman chamomile: skin regeneration, anti-inflammatory, anesthetic, detoxifier, calming for extremely pruritic animals.**
** 7. Sandalwood: skin revitalization, immune stimulant, anti-tumoral, repairs scars, etc.**
Of course, there are many other essential oils that can help with skin disorders, but these are my top oils to have on hand.
Bottom line is: before you reach for the pharmaceuticals, examine exactly what is going on with the patient. Is he on a diet that is suited for his species? Is the pet parent using chemicals for cleaning, disinfecting, or scenting the home? Is the pet subjected to frequent or unnecessary vaccines? What is the emotional culture in the home?
Essential oils have amazing abilities to assist with harmony, peace, and homeostasis in the body.
VMAA