• Symptoms

  • Persistent itching, licking, chewing, or scratching

  • Red, inflamed skin (feet, armpits, groin, belly, face)

  • Chronic paw licking or saliva staining

  • Recurrent ear infections (often bilateral)

  • Hair loss and skin thickening over time

  • Hot spots and secondary bacterial or yeast infections

  • Anal gland issues (commonly overlooked but allergy-related)

  Symptoms often wax and wane, leading owners to underestimate severity.

Treatment

There is no cure for allergies — management is lifelong and multi-layered.

Management options

• Identify the allergy type

  • Environmental (atopy)

  • Food (via strict elimination diet)

  • Contact (bedding, cleaning products, grasses)

• Medical control

  • Antihistamines (limited effect in many Corsos)

  • Apoquel or Cytopoint for itch control

  • Short-term steroids (flare control only)

• Skin barrier support

  • Medicated shampoos

  • Regular bathing and moisturising

• Secondary infection control

  • Antibiotics or antifungals when required

⚠️ Treating infections without controlling the allergy leads to constant relapse.

Prevention

• Responsible breeding:
  Do not breed dogs with chronic or severe allergies.

• Early intervention:
  Address itching early—waiting allows immune escalation.

• Consistent diet:
  Avoid frequent food changes; use controlled protein sources.

• Environmental management:
  Wash bedding regularly, rinse paws after outdoor exposure.

• Routine parasite control:
  Flea allergy dermatitis can dramatic