My dog has allergies. Is calamine lotion safe for her itchy skin?

That looks horrible. Poor Bear. You need to tell your mom to stop using calamine lotion now. It contains zinc oxide, which can damage a dog's red blood cells – causing them to rupture, then leading to anemia, and even vomiting and diarrhea. It is not safe at all to use on dogs. The only way to know for sure what is going on is to have him seen by a vet. He also has to be seen by a vet to make sure he isn't suffering from anemia from your mom using the calamine lotion. She has to take him into a vet now. If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/ http://www.dogheirs.com/resources-affordable-veterinary-care/

It isn't recommended since the dog would likely lick it off as soon as it was applied. It isn't toxic, but it could cause stomach upset. Ideally, the dog should be physically examined by a veterinarian to diagnose and treat the underlying cause. Place an e-collar (cone) on the dog to prevent licking until he sees the doctor.

Unfortunately, I can't advise you to use any specific products on your dog's skin without seeing her to get an idea of what's wrong - for certain skin conditions, the ingredients in the baby powder could do more harm than good by causing more irritation. There are some over-the-counter anti-itch sprays (usually containing cortisone or some other topical steroid) that are labeled for use in dogs - you can try one of these products if you wish. Aloe and oatmeal pet shampoos can also be soothing for irritated skin. If this doesn't help the itching, I would recommend having your dog examined by a vet - itchy skin and irritation can be caused by a number of different things, including seasonal allergies, external parasites like fleas, a bacterial or fungal infection, or skin mites (mange). Your vet can do a simple test called a skin scrape to check for some of these problems, and prescribe an effective medication for treatment depending on what they find.

I would not put any human prescribed medications on Nala as there may be ingredients or chemicals in them that are harmful to her. If she has dry skin, a soothing aloe or oatmeal shampoo can help with dry skin, as well as supplementing with vitamin E or fish oils to help improve the coat. If you suspect mites or parasites, treating those and getting them under control can help as well. You can also place an Elizabethan (cone) collar or T-shirt on Nala to keep her from licking and scratching to reduce irritation as well.

Most OTC antihistamines can be used in dogs, however you should **never** give any medications to your dog without the advice of your veterinarian. Legally though, we cannot direct you to medicate your pet in the absence of a physical exam and a VCPR (veterinarian-client-patient-relationship). [Allergies](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/canine-allergies) can be frustrating to diagnose since they can have multiple causes ([environmental](https://www.petcoach.co/article/food-allergies-vs-environmental-allergies-whats-the-difference), [food](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/food-allergies), [flea bites](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/flea-allergy), etc.). Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Discuss [food elimination trials](https://www.petcoach.co/article/food-trials-for-allergies-in-pets-what-to-expect) and [allergy testing](https://www.petcoach.co/article/allergy-testing-immunotherapy-in-dogs) and if antihistamine use is indicated, he or she can give you a proper dose, The medication may provide some relief but your task is to try to determine what your dog is allergic to and decrease or eliminate it.

She may experience some vomiting and diarrhea as a result, especially if the lotion contained zinc oxide. A small amount is probably not going to be a problem, but if she gets sick, if she develops blood in her stool, loses her appetite and/or becomes lethargic, get her in to see your vet right away.

Topical spray based on cortisone can be used. Topical ointment, usually based on steroids and antibiotics, can be used as well. Please discuss these options with your local veterinarian as these medications are only on prescription.