Demodectic Mange is also called Puppy Mange and is a very common condition in puppies and adolescent dogs of several breeds.  It is caused by a microscopic mite called Demodex canis.  All dogs of every breed have these mites naturally and normally living on their skin and inside their hair follicles.  Mites are transferred from mother to pup through normal contact when nursing or snuggling during the first few days of life.  Normally these tiny mites do not affect the dog and the dog's natural immune system keeps the number of mites under control.  However, during certain growth periods (adolescence) and times of stress, the dog's immune system may be temporarily impaired and the mites can over populate within the hair follicles and cause a skin condition called demodectic mange.  It is important to note that demodex mites are not transferable to humans and demodectic mange is not contagious to humans or other dogs or pets.

There are two forms of demodectic mange localized and generalized.  The localized form usually occurs in dogs under one year of age, during adolescence when hormone changes are occurring or when there has been a temporary illness.  The condition is benign and self limiting, consisting of small circular patches of hair loss with scaly, sometimes reddened skin appearing in various areas on the dog's body.  These bald areas can appear on the legs, face, back or sides.  Most Shar Pei dogs recover spontaneously with or without treatment in three to eight weeks.  Treatment for localized demodectic mange is necessary if it causes severe itching.  And treatment with antibiotics is necessary if a secondary skin infection occurs due to severe scratching.  Some Shar Pei dogs with demodectic mange do not develop any balding areas, but develop severe itchiness instead.  These dogs can be easily misdiagnosed as having an allergy.  Just remember that if a Shar Pei with severe itchiness is treated for an allergy condition with cortisone type medications and the itchiness in NOT relieved almost immediately it is NOT an allergy.  Any type of steroid treatment should be discontinued immediately.  It is important to NOT use cortisone or steroid type medications when dealing with demodectic mange, as this type of medication will tip the immune balance in favor of the mites.  Secondary skin infections can also occur if the dog is scratching areas of the skin raw and antibiotic treatment will be necessary.

Generalized demodectic mange is more of an immune system disorder.  The dog's immune system is unable to control the number of demodex mites.  As the mite population increases the condition becomes wide spread, sometimes with the entire body becoming bald.

Treatment for localized and generalized demodectic mange includes eradication of the mites and antibiotics for bacterial infections.  Generalized demodectic mange usually requires treatment for a much longer period of time.  Eradication of the mites can be accomplished by using an insecticidal dip (Mitaban), or using oral or injectable systemic medication (ivermectin).  Be very careful to closely follow directions when using the Mitaban insecticidal dip to treat your dog.  Mitaban is very toxic to both the dog being treated and the human applying the dip.  Never use Mitaban dip on puppies under 6 months of age and never use Mitaban dip any closer than at two week intervals.  Oral and injectable medications include milbemycin and ivermectin.  Ivermectin is becoming a more popular treatment because it is less toxic to the dog's system.  Treatment with ivermectin may take several weeks and instructions should be followed completely.  Antibiotics for secondary skin infections may also take several weeks of treatment sometimes 8 to 10 weeks for severe cases associated with generalized demodectic mange.

Please take note that many years ago, dogs with demodectic mange were treated by dipping the dog in motor oil.  Just as with myths and legends that never seem to die, you may come across some bonehead who will tell you they used to dip their dog in motor oil and it cured demodectic mange.  NEVER, NEVER dip your Shar Pei dog or any dog in motor oil.  Skin destruction is common, hydrocarbons can be absorbed through the skin, ingestion by licking the coat can cause liver and kidney destruction, and vomit aspiration can cause pneumonia.

Mucin is the substance in the Shar Pei's skin that gives them their characteristic wrinkles.  While in other breeds this excessive amount of mucin is abnormal, it is completely normal for the skin of the Chinese Shar Pei.  Mucin is a clear, jelly-like substance.  In some Shar Pei dogs, the skin can develop blister-like bubbles, usually on the underside of the neck, upper legs, flanks, or hocks.  No treatment is necessary for this condition and the bubbles themselves cause no problems.  These bubbles can be ruptured by scratching, causing the sticky mucin to ooze out.  Keep the area clean and dry using antibacterial solutions or astringents and treat it in the same manner as a hot spot to prevent infections.   Excessive scratching of the area may result in a bacterial skin infection that would require antibiotic treatment.

Sometimes the mucin will collect on the hock area of the Chinese Shar Pei giving them the appearance of socks.  It can appear as if the hocks are swollen, but again, no treatment is necessary for this condition and it causes no problems.  Steroids will decrease the production of mucin and help alleviate the skin bubbles and reduce the size of the hocks.  But steroid therapy can have side effects and is not recommended for this type of benign condition. 

Hot spots can be caused by moisture becoming trapped between folds of skin (acute moist dermatitis) or they can be caused by an irritation to the skin that starts a cycle of itching, scratching and chewing (pyotraumatic dermatitis).

Skin fold hot spots occur when moisture collects or becomes trapped between the skin folds.  More common in dogs with loose skin such as the Chinese Shar Pei, St Bernard, and Bulldog, these types of hot spots typically appear in the summer when the conditions are hot and humid and moisture on the skin does not dry properly.  Typical for a hot spot is rapid onset, areas of hair loss, and reddened skin that is moist and oozing.  Sometimes the skin will be crusty and scabbed, and there can be intense itching.  A common place on the Shar Pei to watch carefully in the summer months is the top of the head, above the eyes and between the ears.  This brow area tends to retain wrinkle in adult Chinese Shar Pei and during the hot and humid months can become irritated from retained moisture.  Antibacterial solutions (chlorhexidine) or drying solutions, and astringents will dry the area, combat infection and decrease itchiness.  If caught in the early stages, when the skin is moist and has just begun to become red and irritated, a medicated powder (Gold Bond) rubbed into the skin and between the wrinkles can also be used to dry the area and prevent infection.  It is important to use a medicated powder that will dry the area and not a cream or ointment that will simply trap more moisture.  Think of it as being similar to human feet that sweat in the summer with moisture being trapped by socks and shoes.  If caught in the early stages, a medicated powder rubbed on the feet and between the toes will dry the skin and prevent infection.  If the hot spot condition persists, or if not caught and treated in the early stages, a secondary bacterial skin infection can develop and must be treated with oral antibiotics. 

Hot spots can also be caused by something that irritates the skin and starts an itch, scratch cycle.  The most common irritants are fleas, bug bites, burrs or contact allergens.  In severe cases the skin can become extremely irritated and itchy, causing intense scratching that must be stopped to prevent self-mutilation from occurring.  Just like with humans who have a mosquito bite that they continue to scratch until the area is raw, bleeding and very painful, severe hot spots can cause your dog to scratch even when it hurts.  Such intense itching and scratching must sometimes be treated with a cortisone type injection or short term steroid type oral medications to relieve the itching so the area can heal.  Remember that any type of steroid treatment will cause increased thirst and increased urination.  Make sure your dog has sufficient water and increase the number of trips outside to help prevent accidents in the house.

Very important to note:  if steroids or cortisone type medications do not stop the itching and scratching almost immediately, you are NOT dealing with an allergen or hot spot type condition.  Demodectic mange (as discussed above) in some cases can also cause intense itching and scratching that will not be relieved by steroid medications and must be treated differently.

Just as allergies can occur in humans, Chinese Shar Pei can also have allergies.  Most symptoms occur due to: inhalant or airborne particle allergies, contact allergies, bug bite allergies, or food allergies.

More commonly seasonal in nature, Chinese Shar Pei can have inhalant allergies depending on which pollen is floating through the air during the spring and summer months just like hay fever in humans.  While humans usually have respiratory problems associated with inhalant allergies, Chinese Shar Pei usually show symptoms through their skin (itching), but can also have watery eyes.  The important distinction here is that the symptoms of itching, scratching and watery eyes is seasonal and coincides with higher concentrations of certain pollens in the air.  Antihistamines such as Benedryl provide relief from the symptoms, but can also cause drowsiness just as with humans.  So don't be alarmed if your dog sleeps more and seems a little sluggish.  One regular Benedryl capsule (pink and white) can be given every 12 hours.

Contact allergies are caused by your Chinese Shar Pei coming into contact with something that irritates their skin.  Most of this is common sense.  If something irritates your skin, it will most likely also irritate the skin of your Shar Pei.  Fairly common in the early spring is itching caused by dead grass, and mold and mildew on the ground.  Just as your skin becomes irritated if you lay in dead, dry grass, your dog's skin can also become irritated.  Pine trees and their dead needles on the ground can irritate the skin.  Of course any poisonous plants such as poison ivy or poison oak can cause skin irritation.  And one item that many people do not think about is fabric.  Some types of synthetic fabric and fake fur can cause skin reactions.  Be careful of fabric softeners added to the wash or any type of perfume.  If your dog seems to display symptoms of rashes, itching, and watery eyes after sleeping in their bed (especially if the symptoms are alleviated when away from their bed), then switch to cotton bedding, wash it in fragrance free detergent and do not use fabric softeners in the wash or in the dryer.  Same as you would do if you had a young child or baby.

Bug bite allergies are also found in some Chinese Shar Pei.  Flea bite dermatitis is probably the most common type of allergy for all breeds of dogs.  There are highly effective and safe topical treatments for fleas such as Frontline and Biospot.  But the fleas must also be removed from the dog's bedding and living area.  Spider bites, bee stings and wasp stings can cause severe reactions in some Chinese Shar Pei just as they do in humans.  Severe swelling in the bite area can result.  Benedryl should be given immediately if your Shar Pei should develop massive swelling on their face, and you should consult with your veterinarian.  Make sure you tell your veterinarian that you have given the dog Benedryl and how much.  Chinese Shar Pei can also develop small welts on their body from mosquito bites just like humans.  You've probably already noticed how similar the Chinese Shar Pei's reactions can be to human reactions from the same allergens.  And other than in severe cases, treatments are also similar with antihistamines.

Food allergies are discussed in a different area of this website, in the section labeled Feeding.