Summer eczema or Sweet itch
Causes
Commonly referred to as “Sweet Itch”, Summer Eczema is a complex hypersensitivity reaction of the skin which is not fully understood yet. Clearly however, it can be hereditary or an acquired condition. The recurring skin rash often causes a severe itching reaction in the horse, primarily affecting Arab horses, Ponies, Andalusians, Lusitanos, Friesians, but can afflict other breeds as well. Symptoms are usually seasonal decreasing during the cold season when due to an increase of energy need the higher metabolism is able to discharge allergens at an increased rate.
The cause of the described summer eczema is largely attributed to the insect bite of the Culicoides mosquito. The injected salvia causes a hypersensitivity reaction in the affected animal. Bites are usually concentrated in areas where the hair growth is vertical, such as at the crest of the neck and top of the dock. Insects are especially active during the swarming times during dawn and dusk. As the insect relies on water to breed, ideal habitats are swampy biotopes or areas near water, but also manure piles.
Possible Allergy Causes
Excretion through the intestines: Eighty percent of the active immunologic tissue, including the lymph nodes, are located in the intestine. Thus it is not only an absorption and excretory organ, but it is also the largest area directly exposed to harmful substances. The intestine is consistently “under attack” by potential antigens like microbes, toxic substances, parasites, and allergens. A chronic intestinal disorder weakens the organ’s ability to deal with irritants. The gastrointestinal tract has the potential to become a troubled area and thus can also contribute to chronic illness like Summer Eczema.
Excretion through the skin: When an overloaded metabolism is no longer capable to excrete waste products and toxins through the liver, urine, perspiration or respiration, then it will be discharged through the skin. Genetically predisposed sensitive skin can be particularly affected, reacting in the well-known painful manner.
Emotional disturbances: Negative emotions caused by the owner, care taker, stabled neighbors or stress, can also be a factor in the aetiology of the disease. The negative emotions block up the circulatory energy flow. This in turn attracts the parasitic insects with their allergy inducing salvia.
Consequences
The continual itching of the animals causes open, bloody injuries which may become purulent. The affected areas are usually concentrated in the mane and dock area, but serious cases can display lesions across the entire body. Badly affected horses can loose overall condition. To date, preventive or systematic therapy or healing is not possible.
Preventative Measures and Therapy
Indications are that Sweet Itch is a multifactor disease which has a genetic component as well as a chronic excretion deficit similar in that seen in human neurodermatitis conditions. It is this chronic excretion weakness that can be countered by boosting the immune system and general constitution of the horse. When horses are made fit and prepared early enough for the allergy season (probably March to September) then as a rule, owners can get a better handle on Sweet Itch as compared to suppressive treatments later on.
It is imperative that preventive measures against Sweet Itch be started before the midges begin swarming, which means at the latest in February or March. Supplements like Gladiator PLUS which stimulate the immune system and support the body’s defense mechanism should be given alongside a low protein diet and ample exercise.
Proof that GladiatorPLUS effectively deals with Sweet Itch
During the last years, horse owners time and time again reported positive results after using the immune and energy supplement Gladiator PLUS also in regards to their Sweet Itch problems. The itching symptoms were noticeably reduced, the general health of the infected animals improved, and in some cases symptoms disappeared completely. Based on these observations, a systematic study was conducted to ascertain the effectiveness of Gladiator PLUS, thus warranting recommendation as treatment in Sweet Itch cases.
Study Topics
Summer Eczema or Sweet Itch is a hypersensitive reaction of the skin in Icelandic Ponies (but not limited to them) to the Culicoides mosquito the complex causes of which is not fully understood yet. Symptoms are open, bloody and purulent injuries, predominantly in the mane and top of the dock, in serious cases these injuries can appear also all over the body. General health conditions of affected horses noticeably deteriorate. To date preventative or systematic therapy or healing is not possible.
Gladiator PLUS is an immune enhancing supplement the main ingredients of which, soluble propolis and ginseng ( eleutherococcus setaceous) has been effectively used to enhance the body’s self healing process and increases its performance level naturally.
Concept of the Study:
The study was conducted over a period of twelve months (November 2005 to November 2006) at the “Wiesenhof”in Burbach-Maxwell, which is the largest and best known Icelandic Horse Farm in Germany. Twenty Icelandic Ponies with a history of Sweet Itch underwent a cure during which they were given 25ml of Gladiator PLUS for twenty consecutive days followed by a five day cessation. At the end of the testing period they were assessed and scored.
The evaluation of the study and its rate of success was defined as primary variable. Definitions were either “free of eczema ” or noticeable improvement of the general condition. The typical Sweet Itch symptoms of welts, itching, rubbing, weeping blisters and scabs were evaluated separately. Checks were done on a daily basis by care takers; blood analysis were performed every three months. The results were compared to those of the untreated Wiesenhof horses.
Study Results
Almost all of the treated horses showed significant improvements after receiving Gladiator PLUS: In ten animals all symptoms were completely alleviated with a further nineteen animals displaying a marked reduction in itching. This was a marked contrast to the untreated ponies. The untreated ponies displayed obvious eczema reactions, exacerbated by unfavorable weather conditions and the high population of biting insects during the summer months of 2006.
Due to the blood analysis that were performed on a regular three months basis, Gladiator PLUS could be adjusted individually to the needs of the eczema inflicted horses: Significant negative information resulting in illness were decoded and substituted with in vitro positive information that activated the body’s self defensive and healing process.
There no known negative side effects in connection with the treatment during the study. In some of the cases the treatment lead to a temporary worsening of the conditions, something not unusual in homoeopathic treatments, followed by fast improvement.
Selected Cases in Detail
Freya, mare, foaled in 1998, imported in 2000, severe case of eczema
Condition prior to the study: Poor general condition due in part to poor feed conversion, dull coat, nearly all of the long hair excoriated, leaving large open areas at the crest of the mane, the rump and the belly bottom.
Condition after the Study: Noticeably improved general condition, normalized food conversion and eagerness to perform. The mare Freya no longer displayed eczema symptoms and the wounds were healing. For the first time since September 2006, it was not necessary for the mare to wear a Sweet Itch blanket. Additional dermatitis treatments were no longer necessary.
Korund, mare, foaled 1996, imported in 1997, with a severe case of Sweet Itch
Condition prior to the study: Generally poor condition with distinctive eczema symptoms.
Condition after the study: Due to a hind splint bone fracture the horse is stabled - without a Sweet Itch blanket. Eczema symptoms were noticeably reduced. The mare is obviously in better condition than the year before, but as a precaution is still receiving skin treatments.
Gloi, gelding, foaled in 1986, imported 1992, suffering from severe eczema
Condition prior to the study: Poor general condition with large open skin lesions in the croup area.
Condition after the study: ´Glois’s general condition has improved, the open injuries have healed. In order to prevent a relapse, the gelding still wears a Sweet Itch blanket during the critical months and receives skin treatments.
Djakni, gelding, foaled in 1993, imported 2005, inclination for Sweet Itch
Condition prior to the study: General good condition with a slight inclination for rubbing.
Condition after the study: Continued general good condition, Djakni displayed no eczema symptoms.
Gustur, gelding, foaled in 1988, imported in 1998, displaying moderately severe Sweet Itch
Condition prior to the study: General poor condition with distinct Sweet Itch symptoms.
Condition after the study: A noticeably reduced inclination for rubbing, coat and skin normal, wounds healing. Gustur rarely rubs himself anymore, however as a precautionary measure he continues to receive daily skin treatment.
Hildur, mare, foaled in 1986, imported 1993, severe eczema
Condition prior to the study: Poor general poor condition displaying distinct Sweet Itch symptoms.
Condition after the study: Noticeably improved general condition and improvement of eczema symptoms. The mare Hildur is pastured with rug and receives daily skin treatment.
Djarfur, gelding, foaled in 1992, imported in 2005, moderately severe eczema
Condition prior to the study: Poor general condition displaying distinctive Sweet Itch symptoms.
Condition after the study: General health conditioned worsened in spite of treatment with Gladiator PLUS. After special treatment based on a blood analysis a slow healing process followed, Djafur does not wear a Sweet Itch blanket and in spite of adverse weather condition rarely ever rubs himself anymore.
Bylgia, foaled in 1992, imported in 1995, severe case of eczema
Condition prior to the study: Poor general condition with distinctive Sweet Itch symptoms.
Condition after the study: The mare does not rub herself in spite of adverse weather condition. Skin and coat considerably improved. Since September 2006 Bylgia no longer wears a protective Sweet Itch blanket.
Study Summery:
Tolerance and effectiveness of Gladiator PLUS was primarily judged positive by veterinarians and Icelandic Horse owners involved in the study. Through the active ingredients contained in Gladiator PLUS which directly support the immune system, noticeable improvements were achieved in the treated horses‘ general condition. These are vital to achieve the most favorable precondition for a successful prevention and treatment of Sweet Itch. Additional studies should further corroborate the results of the Wiesenhof results.
