When does seasonal allergy itching end??

[Heather & Brinkley]

I know itching has been the topic of many many discussions here (including mine when I took Brinkley in, he got a Prednisone shot and pills, then started throwing up blood... blah, blah :).  )   But when do seasonal allergies end (approx.  as I know it depends on the climate, area, etc.) since this time of year is known to be the worst for allergy sufferers, canine and human alike.  He found relief for some time, even after the Prednisone treatment ended, but this past week and half he's back to itching, (and I'm back to spraying anti-itch spray on areas before they turn into nasty hot-spots) and the cycle continues. 

Also, does anyone have any suggestions for an oatmeal shampoo that is easy on their skin.  I tried a new oatmeal shampoo yesterday and today he tried to eat a hole through his foot (kidding, but I'm wondering if this shampoo agitated him even more... or maybe certain spots didn't get rinsed well enough, even though I kept going over it again and again.)

I hate seeing him like this and want to know when I should expect the seasonal stuff to subside and if doesn't around that expected timeframe, he may need an allergy specialist trip. 

Here's his latest sock barrier.  The start of the hotspot area is on the backside of this leg.  You can't tell in the pic but I did cut small holes in the sock around he area where agitated area as to allow air flow. 

[Heather & Brinkley]

Thank you-- if this doesn't subside in the next week or so, we will make an appointment.  I'll also reintroduce Evening Primrose today and see how he does with that.  

[Lee Seidman]

We live in South Florida and had a horrible season for allergies. After numerous hotspots we took Billabong to an allergest.  She ran tests and came up with a serum that we inject SQ weekly. Since giving him the shot he has been hot spot free and his itching has totally gone away. We almost never see him scratch or lick an area.  The test was pricey, the serum expensive but Billy does not suffer any longer,

 

The injection is easy to give, he is so used to them that when we take out the serum he goes to his place and waits for the treat we give him with every shot.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's immunotherapy treatment. It has worked very well for Jack. Once the dog is on a maintenance schedule with the shots, costs are usually under $50/month, and there are usually no side-effects.

[Jennett Pulley]

We use Aveeno Oatmeal soothing Baby Wash on the hedgehogs and guinea pigs.  We also used it on our Chocolate Lab who had horrible allergies.