Summer eczema is the most common allergic skin condition in horses
Overview of Summer Eczema in Horses
Summer eczema is the most common allergic skin disease in horses. It is known by many names: sweet itch, summer itch, Queensland itch, Kasen disease, Seasonal dermatitis, Insect Bite Hypersensitivity. In this condition, the horse is hypersensitive to saliva transmitted through insect bites. The most common allergen-causing insects are biting midges of the genus Culicoides.
Summer eczema causes intense itching, which leads to rubbing and often to skin inflammation and open sores. It is a skin disease that can be extremely distressing for the horse and significantly impair quality of life. In severe cases, the horse may even become apathetic. Horses suffering from summer eczema are often restless, show constant tail swishing, rolling behavior, and actively seek grooming or physical contact with both humans and herd mates in an attempt to relieve itching.
With appropriate, regular, and comprehensive management, the condition can be kept under control when amount of environmental insects is not excessive.
When Does Summer Eczema Develop?
Summer eczema typically develops when the horse is a few years old. In general, the younger the horse is at disease onset, the more severe the symptoms tend to be. In many horses, the condition worsens over time, especially if treatment is insufficient or inconsistent.
Summer eczema may also develop later in life, most commonly in connection with a change of stable or environment, where the local biting midge population and exposure differ. A predisposition to summer eczema is hereditary.
The severity and extent of symptoms vary between individuals, and the disease may present as:
Mild
Moderate
Severe
The number of symptoms, their intensity, and the extent of affected skin areas vary from horse to horse.
Diagnosis and the Role of the Veterinarian
Accurate diagnosis is essential, as identifying the cause and understanding the overall clinical picture helps determine the correct treatment strategy. Not all seasonal itching is summer eczema.
A veterinarian can assist by:
Identifying what the horse is allergic to
Assessing skin condition and the level of inflammation
Recommending medication
In acute cases, the horse may require glucocorticoids (cortisone). The use of corticosteroids must always be supervised by a veterinarian.
Treatment Goals for Summer Eczema
Because summer eczema is a chronic allergic skin disease, and the allergen—biting midges—exposes the horse continuously throughout the insect season, treatment aims to:
Relieve symptoms and improve the horse’s comfort
Increase the skin’s tolerance to rubbing and mechanical stress
Prevent secondary conditions, such as secondary infections
The skin structure of horses with allergic summer eczema is characterized by a weakened skin barrier, which predisposes them to additional skin problems, especially if left untreated.
When Does a Horse Have Summer Eczema?
Most horses react to insect bites to some extent. By late summer, nearly all horses rub their mane or tail. However, the difference between summer eczema and a normal insect bite reaction lies in the severity and duration of symptoms.
A horse with summer eczema requires regular treatment throughout the insect season, often on a daily basis. Other horses benefit from similar care, but their need for treatment is usually significantly lower.
The Allergen: Biting Midges (Culicoides)
Biting midges are small flying, biting insects that thrive in moist environments and near standing water, such as ditches. They are poor flyers and do not move in darkness. Midges are most active during early morning and evening twilight.
There are several species of Culicoides, and different species are found in different regions. This partly explains why the same horse may show varying symptom severity in different locations. Individual differences also influence a horse’s hypersensitivity to specific midge species.
When planning management, consider that:
If the horse is stabled overnight, the stable should be kept dark
For grazing or turnout, choose open and windy areas
Avoid locations near wetlands, standing water, or forests
Biting midges can be repelled using certain scents designed to interfere with their ability to detect carbon dioxide emitted by the horse. Summer eczema rugs must be tightly woven to prevent midges from biting through the fabric, and multiple rugs are required.
Commonly Affected Areas in Horses with Summer Eczema
Rubbing can lead to secondary injuries and skin inflammation, particularly on the head, ears, and along the dorsal midline extending to the tail. The mane crest and tail dock are typically the most severely affected areas.
Chronic rubbing results in so-called elephant skin, characterized by thickened, hardened tissue. Skin damage is common, and the skin often feels warm, swollen, and has lost its elasticity.
Other commonly affected areas include:
Axillary regions, armpits
Pasterns
Ventral abdomen, underbelly
The ears are a typical area affected, and their care is often neglected.
Principles of Caring for Allergic Skin in Horses
Avoid the Allergen
The primary goal in managing allergic skin in horses is to avoid exposure to the allergen. Practically, this involves controlling the environment, using summer eczema rugs, and applying insect repellents. Be aware that some insecticides can be too strong and irritating for allergic horses. A well-planned environment can significantly reduce exposure to biting midges, minimizing allergic reactions and improving the horse’s comfort.
Skin Care and Moisture Balance in Summer Eczema
Proper skin care is essential for horses with summer eczema. Maintaining clean skin is essential for horses with summer eczema. Often, rinsing with water alone is sufficient, avoiding unnecessary stress from harsh cleansers or excessive chemicals. Supporting the skin’s moisture balance with well-absorbed fatty acid-rich creams is recommended. Regular cleaning and applying topical products help maintain the skin’s natural protective barrier, reduce itching, and lower the risk of sores caused by rubbing.
Corticosteroids in Treating Allergic Inflammation
The most effective treatment for allergic inflammation is corticosteroids. These anti-inflammatory medications reduce allergic reactions and relieve severe itching. However, corticosteroids carry potential side effects and should always be administered under veterinary supervision.
Some herbal compounds also have mild anti-inflammatory effects, supporting skin health in allergic horses.
Immunotherapy may be considered, but its use is limited due to the variety of biting midge species.
Antihistamines and Alternative Treatments for Summer Eczema
Antihistamines can be used, although their effectiveness in treating equine summer eczema is not fully supported by scientific evidence. Some homeopathic remedies may also provide relief for certain horses.
Summer Eczema Rugs Alone Are Not Enough
Maintaining healthy skin often requires a holistic approach. Optimal results are achieved by combining strategies: environmental management to reduce midge exposure, proper skin care, and medication when necessary.
Product Safety Considerations
When selecting skin care products for horses, it is essential to understand their safety. This is especially important for horses with sensitive skin prone to summer eczema. Choose products with transparently disclosed ingredients and avoid unnecessary chemical additives to prevent overloading the skin. For more information on the safety of equine skin care products, click here.
Symptomatic areas on a horse with a summer eczema.
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Video instructions
Equine Summer Eczema Care – Step-by-Step Instructions Using SOLHEDS Products
Begin treating summer eczema at the earliest signs of symptoms. Early and consistent care strengthens the skin’s resistance to biting midges, helping to control allergic reactions and reducing the risk of sudden, severe flare-ups.
If your horse has not been washed over the winter, bathe it as soon as weather permits using Derma4 Gentle Shampoo. If typically affected areas are already warm or flaking, treat these areas with Derma1 Skin Care Shampoo.
During the active biting midge season, horses with summer eczema should receive daily care. At the start and end of the season, treatment frequency can be reduced to approximately 3–4 times per week. Symptomatic skin should be washed as needed, on average 1–8 times per month, using Derma1 Skin Care Shampoo. Washing frequency should increase as symptoms intensify, particularly when the skin is broken from rubbing and the risk of inflammation rises.
Maintaining Clean Skin and Washing Horses with Summer Eczema
The goals of washing and cleaning affected skin are to:
Remove potential allergens from the skin
Reduce microbial load, which can cause infections
Soothe and care for skin that reacts allergically
For sensitive or allergic skin, frequent washing is often not necessary; a simple rinse with water is usually sufficient, protecting the skin from excessive stress caused by detergents or chemicals.
Often, carefully brushing the affected areas until clean is enough before applying targeted treatments, such as Derma2 Calming Serum or spraying Derma11 Anti-Itch Spray.
Washing the Affected Areas of a Summer Eczema Horse with Derma1 Skin Care Shampoo
First, rinse off any loose dirt and thoroughly wet the area to be treated with water. Gently massage the antiseptic Derma1 Skin Care Shampoo into the affected skin and allow it to work for approximately 3 minutes. Afterward, rinse the shampoo thoroughly. Derma1 Shampoo softens crusts, cools the skin, and by itself provides a protective treatment for allergic skin while reducing microbial load.
The frequency of washing depends on the severity of the symptoms and the condition of the skin. Note that only a small amount of shampoo is needed for effective treatment.
Topical Care for a Summer Eczema Horse After Washing
Skin Moisturizing and Daily Care for Summer Eczema Horses
After washing, allow the skin to dry completely and then moisturise using:
To fully expose the skin, create a part along the mane and tail area.
For affected ears, gently brush with a soft brush and apply Derma2 Serum inside the ear.
For additional support, apply Derma5 Germ Fighting Cream to the affected areas. This antimicrobial cream is especially suitable for “elephant skin,” such as heavily rubbed areas of the mane and tail, where broken skin increases the risk of infection.
For consistent daily care, Derma2 Calming Serum or Derma11 Anti-Itch Spray are the most effective. These products help relieve itching and strengthen the skin barrier and support skin and hair regeneration. Over time, a flaking layer may appear on the skin, which is normal and indicates skin regeneration. Gently brush off flakes and continue regular care – this helps maintain skin moisture and resilience.
Apply Derma3 cream with a sponge or spray against the direction of hair growth, a few centimeters away from the affected skin areas. The product is applied to the hair, not directly onto the skin. For best results, use Derma3 products under a rug or blanket.
Acute summer eczema and veterinary care
Severe symptoms and wound management
If allergic reactions suddenly worsen and the horse has rubbed the skin until broken, a veterinarian should be called to assess the needed care and for potential corticosteroid treatment.
Open, wounds should be treated according to wound care guidelines:
Clean with water
Apply antimicrobial Derma6 Wound Oil to the area
Typical reactive areas for insect bites in so called healthy horses
Careful and regular maintenance is crucial in managing a horse with summer eczema. This approach helps maintain the skin’s natural resilience against biting midges, preventing the skin barrier from breaking or becoming inflamed. Treatment should be proactive, not just reactive to acute flare-ups.
Common Care Mistakes in Managing Summer Eczema in Horses
1. Care is not consistent or started early enough
Many horse owners only start treating their horse once clear symptoms appear. Proper management of chronic allergies requires regular, often daily, preventive care. It is recommended to establish a care routine to ensure continuity of daily treatment.
2. Not all affected areas are treated
Affected areas such as the mane and tail base, ears, armpits, fetlocks, and ventral abdomen require careful attention. Care often focuses only on visible hair loss, even though the skin along the entire mane, for example, may be hot, swollen, and hardened, and therefore in need of treatment.
3. Treatment does not reach the skin adequately
Care often remains on the hair or mane without reaching the skin itself. The composition of some products can limit skin penetration; for example, thick ointments in open jars are difficult to apply effectively to the skin.
4. Poor hygiene
Insufficient hygiene, dirty skin, or thick layers of old ointment can prevent the skin from functioning properly and prevent the treatment products from reaching the skin.
5. Treatment does not address allergic inflammation
Some products only moisturise or lubricate the skin, leaving the underlying allergic reaction untreated.
Torn rugs are a clear sign that the horse is itchy and requires additional care.
Provide your horse with periods without blankets outdoors, for example, during the middle of the day when biting midges are less active. Summer eczema is an allergic disease, not a character trait. Preventing rubbing alone does not reduce the allergic reaction or relieve the horse’s itching ; in fact, limiting rubbing can lead to apathy.
When caring for a horse with summer eczema, always examine the skin both visually and by palpation. Healthy skin should feel elastic and soft and should not feel hot.
Summer Eczema Care: Special Considerations for Allergic Skin
Allergic horse skin is extremely sensitive and cannot tolerate harsh mechanical or chemical stress. Never apply anything to a horse’s skin that you would not use on your own. Avoid greasy or dirt-attracting creams and oils, as these can clog the skin, impair its natural function, and increase the risk of inflammation.
Skin-Friendly Products for Summer Eczema
Managing summer eczema requires careful attention to the horse’s allergic sensitivity in all treatments. Care products, including shampoos, coat sprays, and detanglers, should be as gentle and skin-friendly as possible.
Common risk factors in skin care products include:
Harsh cleansing agents, such as sulfate-based shampoos
Strong preservatives
High concentrations of active ingredients
SOLHEDS Derma products are specifically formulated to minimize chemical irritation. Here you can find detailed instructions for skin-friendly washing and mane and tail care.
Risks of Care Products for Allergic Skin
Although many natural ingredients contain beneficial compounds, they can also trigger oversensitivity reactions. The risk increases if the raw material is impure or used at high concentrations, as harmful components may outweigh the benefits of beneficial compounds.
Special attention should be paid to:
High resin content in pine-based products, a common allergen
Tar and pitch oils, which contain carcinogenic PAHs
Benzyl benzoate, banned in the EU for over-the-counter use, which may irritate or even damage the skin
Even generally health-promoting natural ingredients can contain both beneficial and irritating compounds. Therefore, always choose products from manufacturers with industry expertise and a thorough understanding of the raw materials used and their effects on the skin.
Using and Dosing Derma Products
SOLHEDS Derma products are specifically formulated for sensitive and allergic skin, providing an eco-friendly solution for natural animal skin care. They minimize chemical irritation and are safe for regular use. Their use is enhanced by the precision nozzle, which allows for controlled and economical dosing. Only a small amount is needed to achieve optimal care.
Summer eczema is the most common allergic skin condition in horses, caused by biting and flying insects such as midges. It typically leads to intense itching, which can result in rubbing, skin inflammation, and sometimes open sores.
The primary goal in treating summer eczema is to reduce the horse’s exposure to insects, such as biting midges. Skin care can be supported in the following ways:
Keep affected areas clean using antiseptic Derma1 Skin Care Shampoo, suitable for sensitive and irritated skin.
Strengthen the skin’s natural barrier and relieve itching with topical care, such as SOLHEDS Derma2 Calming Serum or Derma11 Anti-itch, which support the skin barrier and soothe irritated skin.
Regular care helps reduce rubbing and prevents secondary infections.
For allergic skin, a gentle, neutral wash that does not dry out the skin is recommended.
Antiseptic Derma1 Skin Care Shampoo cleans the skin in affected areas without drying it out.
Skin-friendly Derma4 Gentle Shampoo effectively cleans the entire horse without drying the skin.
A good cream absorbs well, strengthens the skin barrier, relieves itching, and supports skin regeneration.
Derma2 Calming Serum and Derma11 Anti-itch Spray provide effective relief for summer eczema by reducing itching, reinforcing the skin barrier, and supporting skin renewal.