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My dog has red, itchy skin and hair loss from Lysol. What's next?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Maltipoo | Male | neutered | 2 years and 6 months old | 14.5 lbs

We used Lysol to disinfect and clean the house and my dog seemed to be showing signs of a contact allergy... excessive itching, licking, redness and hair thinning in chest area. I gave him a bath with dish soap and will now longer be using Lysol in the house. His itching has decreased and the redness is gone. What else should I do?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

Veterinarian

Published on September 20th, 2019

Those spots on Lucky could be related to a contact allergy but several things including allergies, skin mites, flea bites, ringworm (which humans can get) or a bacterial infection will look the same. You can try adding in an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for dogs, this can help improve the skin health. You may also try changing his diet to something like Royal Canin or Nutro as they are aimed at skin health. You can wash the lesions with soap once a day (regular soap) and rinse well (don't wash his whole body, just those spots). Protect the areas from licking or scratching. If they don't start looking better within about a week or if they get worse, have him examined by the veterinarian who may prescribe medications. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on November 8th, 2016
It must be so frustrating to keep having this problem! Scaly patches on dogs can be caused by a couple of things, such as mange, hot spots, allergies, and ringworm among others. If your pup isn't under veterinary care at the moment, I would recommend taking him into the vet for an exam. What you've been giving him hasn't been working, and that's likely because the underlying cause hasn't be diagnosed. In order to successful treat something, the underlying cause has to be diagnosed. I would take him into the vet tomorrow morning for an exam. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, fungal cultures, and other skin diagnostic tests to find out what is causing his skin issues. Once the cause is found, the vet can institute a diagnosis. Giving him an oatmeal bath is a good idea, especially if he is itchy. Hopefully the vet can find a diagnosis so your pup can get some relief.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on November 1st, 2017
Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. From these pictures you have included, it appears as though Griffin has a skin infection. I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at this as Griffin may need an oral antibiotic in addition to topical medication. If you are unable to get to your vet right away I would recommend starting the following:
1. Douxo PS calm shampoo and bathe twice weekly until the infection is resolved
2. Malacetic conditioning spray and apply to the area until resolved
3. Welactin omega 3 fish oil
4. Essential 6 spot on byh dermoscent

If there is no improvement or the skin condition worsens, I would recommend getting him seen by a vet sooner so that additional treatments can be recommended. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via consultation if needed.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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