Yeast infections cause itchy, crusty and smelly skin. Skin may become darkly pigmented and thickened, often being described as \u201celephant skin.\u201d Although yeast prefers the moist warm places on your dog\u2019s body, such as the neck, armpits, groin, ears and between their toes, it can spread all over the body. Yeast infections also cause your dog to frantically lick, chew, bite, scratch and rub, further traumatizing damaged skin.<\/p>\n
Compared to bacterial skin infections, yeast infections tend to cause more skin greasiness, redness, thickening and smelliness. But the only way to tell if a skin infection is due to bacteria, yeast or both is to look at skin debris using a microscope and a dye specific for diagnosing yeast and bacterial infections. This is important because it guides your veterinarian\u2019s treatment plan. Antibiotics that work well in treating bacterial infections aren\u2019t effective against yeast.<\/p>\n
![\"Dog](\"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/dog-skin-infection-cause-guide-030817.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Bacterial skin infection (pyoderma)<\/h3>\n
Pyoderma, the medical term for bacterial skin infection, is an uncomfortable, potentially painful, condition caused by bacteria that are normally found on your dog\u2019s skin. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius,<\/em> one of those common skin bacteria, is usually the primary culprit.<\/p>\n Allergies are the most common underlying health issue that compromise the skin barrier or immune system and predispose dogs to bacterial skin infections. Liver disease, kidney disease, cancer and endocrine diseases such as Cushing\u2019s disease (overproduction of cortisol) and hypothyroidism also increase a dog\u2019s susceptibility to bacterial skin infections. Any conditions in which the skin is excessively moist can set the stage for pyoderma. Dogs also have a higher risk of developing bacterial skin infections when they have yeast skin infections.<\/p>\n The classic lesion seen in canine bacterial skin infections is a circular sore, usually with a center bald spot and ringed with reddened, flaky or crusty skin. Bacterial infections also cause patches of dry, flaky skin; oozing, crusty skin; and hair loss. You may find small, pimple-like bumps on your dog\u2019s skin or pus-filled hair follicles. Like yeast infections, pyoderma can make your dog\u2019s skin itchy and irritated, causing them to scratch, lick or chew excessively at their skin.<\/p>\n Treatment of your canine companion\u2019s skin infection will depend not only on its cause \u2014 yeast or bacteria \u2014 but also on its severity.<\/p>\n Mild yeast infections are often treated with topical products such as medicated shampoos or ointments (for small areas). More severe yeast infection cases may require an oral anti-fungal medication in addition to topical treatment.<\/p>\n Most bacterial skin infections are treated with a combination of oral antibiotics and topical products, such as medicated shampoos, antiseptic sprays or wipes, and antibacterial creams or ointments (for very small areas).<\/p>\n In addition to treating the skin infection, your veterinarian will recommend treating or managing the underlying health issue that enabled infection in the first place. If your dog has allergies, they may need a special food<\/a>. If a disease such as Cushing\u2019s disease or hypothyroidism is present, your veterinarian will prescribe an appropriate medication to manage that condition. If there\u2019s a concurrent bacterial skin infection, an antibiotic may be necessary.<\/p>\nSkin infection treatment varies<\/h3>\n