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Is my Shih Tzu's inflamed, flaky skin around her eyes an allergy?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Female | spayed | 10 years and 9 months old

My shih-tzu has inflamed and flaky skin between her eyes and nose and up through her eyebrows. Could this be a food allergy. She's had it for months.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 13th, 2018

Without pictures it is difficult to say for sure what this could be. This may be due to allergies, a skin infection (fungal or bacterial), etc. I would recommend using the below products to start. These can all be found online quite easily or at your local pet store. If there is no improvement, I would recommend having Gracie examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

1. Douxo PS Chlorhexidine combination shampoo and bathe twice weekly until resolved

2. Essential 6 spot on by Dermoscent

4. Malacetic conditioning spray and apply to the area twice daily until resolved

5. Welactin omega 3 fatty acid capsules for dogs.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on April 13th, 2018
She will be able to get her rabies injection. skin allergies are not east to treat, home remedies and shampoos almost never solve the problem. your vet will explain all the options to you after examining her but ultimately a medication called Apoquel usually solves the problem as long as it is taken.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on November 22nd, 2020
Hi and thanks for your request.
I would first of all try to understand the underlying cause of the allergy,
Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics).
In the meantime some eye drops based on anti-inflammatory (steroids) can be relieve effectively the itch, but corneal ulcerations and any eye damage need to be ruled out before applying those.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on August 15th, 2017
You could use either meds for allergy like steroids or Apoquel and give her a bath with mild and neutral shampoo (like oatmeal shampoo or Coatex aloea vera).
The cause of allergy seems seasonal/environmental one, but ideally the underlying cause must be discovered.
Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc).
Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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