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Velvet Digest

How do you treat pastern dermatitis?

Author

Emma Martin

Updated on June 28, 2026

Long-term control of immune-mediated equine pastern dermatitis can often be achieved using topical steroids and/or pentoxifylline once the lesions have been controlled.

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Furthermore, how do you treat pastern dermatitis in horses?

In severe cases, however, some horses might need systemic therapy to help clear up the condition, he added. Antibiotic and antifungal medications, immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory therapies, and antiparasitic products are all options for different conditions.

Furthermore, how do you treat a mud rash? If your horse develops scabs, scrub the legs with warm water and a diluted antiseptic such as Hibiscrub, iodine or Malaseb (dog shampoo). Work it into a lather and then leave on for 10-15 minutes to allow contact time for the antiseptic to kill the bacteria. Sometimes you need to soak the leg to loosen the scabs.

Keeping this in consideration, what is the best treatment for scratches in horses?

Ointments that your veterinarian will recommend for scratches include antibiotics, antifungals, steroids and other medications. In more serious cases, systemic antibiotics may be needed. The primary defense to allow healing is a dry, clean environment.

How do you treat scratches?

Follow these steps to deal with a case of scratches:

  1. Clip away the long hair around the affected area.
  2. Gently wash with a shampoo the helps treat fungal and bacterial skin conditions such as Absorbine® Fungasol® Shampoo.
  3. Dry the area with towels, or if your horse will allow it, use a hair dryer.
Related Question Answers

What is pastern dermatitis?

Equine pastern dermatitis is not a single disease but rather a cutaneous reaction pattern in horses. This dermatitis can affect any equine breed but is most common in draft horses. This dermatitis usually affects the caudal aspect of the pasterns but can spread dorsally, with the hindlimbs most commonly affected.

Is Mud fever bacterial or fungal?

Mud fever is caused by an infection of the skin by bacteria, including Dermatophilus congolensis, and often Staphylococcus spp. Dermatophytes (fungal organisms such as Malassezia or Trichophyton) can also contribute, as can chorioptic mange mites. It is in these conditions that mud fever thrives.

What does scratches look like in horses?

Scratches is the common term for pastern dermatitis, an inflammation of the skin that develops between the heels and the fetlocks. Affected areas become scabby and crusty, sometimes oozing clear or yellowish serum.

Are scratches in horses contagious?

A. Scratches is not contagious under normal conditions. However, horses with white feet and/or faces are more susceptible to Scratches being spread through close contact by scratching, grooming, rubbing on fences or on each other, or through shared grooming tools.

What does rain rot look like on a horse?

A: Rain rot is a layman's term for a common equine bacterial skin disease caused by Dermatophilus congolensis. It is characterized by the formation of crusty scabs, which peel off along with clumps of hair, leaving bare spots on the skin. If you run your hand along your horse's coat, you will feel these lumps.

What does greasy heel look like on a horse?

Grease heel appears on lower legs as patches of scurf beneath the hair. The hair itself will start to look thin, matted or staring. Under the scurf, the skin will be itchy, irritated, red, cracked, and oozing a thick, mucous-like or 'greasy' fluid. The pain from the inflamed skin can cause the horse to appear lame.

What causes scratches in horses?

Also called pastern dermatitis, dew poisoning, greasy heel, or mud fever, scratches is not a condition itself; it's a description of a problem commonly seen on a horse's lower limbs. Scratches is caused by a variety of skin conditions including viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections.

Can scratches on horses cause swelling?

Scratches can affect any breed, but is prevalent in draft horses due to long pastern hair (feathers). Clinical signs vary, but initially owners might notice edema (fluid swelling), redness and scaling, rapidly progressing to oozing, hair matting and crusting.

What ointment is good for scratches?

A first aid antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin, Neosporin, Polysporin) can be applied to help prevent infection and keep the wound moist. Continued care to the wound is also important. Three times a day, wash the area gently with soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and re-cover with a bandage.

How long do scratches take to heal?

1 to 2 weeks

How do you heal a scratch on your leg?

Cuts, Scratches and Scrapes - Treatment:
  1. Use direct pressure to stop any bleeding.
  2. Wash the wound with soap and water for 5 minutes.
  3. Caution: Never soak a wound that might need sutures.
  4. Gently scrub out any dirt with a washcloth.
  5. Use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin).

Can humans catch rain rot from horses?

Because rain rot is contagious to humans and other animals, brushes, buckets and blankets that come in contact with an infected horse should be thoroughly cleaned after use and not shared with other horses.

Do wounds heal faster covered or uncovered?

A: Airing out most wounds isn't beneficial because wounds need moisture to heal. Leaving a wound uncovered may dry out new surface cells, which can increase pain or slow the healing process. This keeps new skin and other cells alive. It also helps protect the area from dirt, germs and further injury.

What happens when your horse gets scratched?

Win - Place - Show: If the runner scratches, then the money will be refunded after the race goes official. Exacta: If one or more of your selected horses are scratched, you will receive a refund for the wager(s) involving the scratched horse(s).

What causes dermatitis in horses?

There are many causes of skin inflammation, including external irritants, burns, allergens, trauma, and infection (bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal). Dermatitis may have many signs including any combination of itching, scaling, abnormal redness, thickening of the skin, and hair loss.

What is Banixx made of?

With regard to Banixx ingredients, Banixx has one active ingredient, stabilized hydronium. The inert ingredient is purified water. Banixx is effective on all types of equine wounds, from acute to chronic. It is also potent for various hoof conditions.

Where can I buy Banixx?

Banixx is available at all Tractor Supply stores.

How do you get rid of scabs from mud fever?

Treating Mud Fever Generally, the aim is to gently soak and peel off the scabs and then clean the wounds with a warm, diluted disinfectant such as Hibiscrub (Chlorhexidine gluconate) or Vetasept (Povodine-Iodine).

Is sudocrem good for mud fever?

Mud Fever Care Products A good quality nappy rash cream, such as Sudocrem®, can work just as well and many experienced owners swear by them. Be aware that creams do have the drawback that your horse's legs remain covered in mud when they come in from the field.