Why it is important to keep horses' resistance optimal in case of summer eczema.
Itching is caused by inflammatory reactions under the skin. These inflammatory reactions occur because the horse has an allergy to the saliva of midges (Culicoides mosquitoes). The horse's body reacts to this, resulting in small inflammatory reactions throughout the body and at the site of the mosquito bite. These inflammatory reactions cause itching, leading the horse to rub against surfaces, which damages the skin and in turn causes more inflammatory reactions.
Health
Sweet itch
9 August '22 • 1 min reading time
Inflammatory reactions cause waste products in the horse's body
During inflammation in the body, waste products are released. Horses with summer eczema experience many inflammations in their bodies as soon as they are bitten, and thus also have a lot of waste products. These waste products enter the bloodstream, are stored in fat tissue, and "clog" the body. Due to this clogging, the right nutrients can be absorbed less effectively because there is no longer any space for them. This reduced absorption of the right substances leads to a buildup of waste products in the body, and gradually the horse's resistance will decline further.
Clearing waste substances = improving resistance
The better the horse's resistance, the better it can cope with waste substances and inflammatory reactions. For horses with summer eczema, this is therefore a very important step to get and keep summer eczema under control. Liquid nettle tincture is an ideal (mild) cleanser for horses with summer eczema. It has several powerful functions. Liquid nettle tincture is blood-purifying (clears waste substances), it provides a huge boost to the resistance, and supports the gut flora (which is important for resistance). We therefore also recommend giving horses with summer eczema a course of liquid nettle tincture every 2 months during the summer period. Dried nettle can also be used, but it is many times less powerful than the liquid variant.
Optimal resistance helps in the overall approach against summer eczema
Good resistance is important for all horses, as reduced resistance can make ailments more likely to occur. For horses with summer eczema, optimal resistance is even more crucial! This way, the horse can better "fight" against itching and inflammation, supplements for summer eczema can be better absorbed, and nutrients can work more effectively. With these tips, you can support your horse's resistance: Do not give packaged hay/dry forage, always provide unpackaged hay, avoid starch (grains), always feed low in sugars, ensure sufficient vitamins and minerals, regularly give a course of liquid nettle, prevent stress.
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