A cream containing omega‐3‐fatty acids, humectants and emollients as an aid in the treatment of equine Culicoides hypersensitivity

Abstract

Background -Topical application of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has shown satisfactory results in dogs and humans with allergic skin diseases. Urea and glycolic acid act as keratolytics and moisturizers. Culicoides hypersensitivity is the most common equine hypersensitivity disorder and only limited treatment options exist.Objectives -To evaluate the effect of a cream containing topical PUFAs, humectants and emollients on clinical signs of equine Culicoides hypersensitivity.Animals -Privately owned horses (n = 28) with clinical signs of Culicoides hypersensitivity.Methods and materials -For a period of four weeks, one half of the horse's body (left or right) was treated with a cream containing concentrated fish oil and several moisturizing and emollient ingredients in a randomized, single-blinded fashion to evaluate the influence of the treatment on skin lesions. In the subsequent four weeks, the lesional areas of the entire body were treated to assess the treatment effect on pruritus. Additionally, the quality of the hair coat, an overall assessment and adverse effects were recorded.Results -Twenty-one horses completed the study. Skin lesions on the treated side improved significantly between days 0 and 28 (P < 0.0001) in comparison to the untreated side. Neither pruritus scores nor coat quality improved significantly between days 0 and 56. Overall condition improved during the study. Five horses showed adverse effects.Conclusions and clinical importance -The cream improved Culicoides-induced skin lesions in affected horses, but anti-pruritic effects were less prominent.

New Strategies for Prevention and Treatment of Insect Bite Hypersensitivity in Horses

“…Additionally, topical treatments can also alleviate clinical signs of IBH. A cream containing omega-3-fatty acids, humectants, and emollients has been shown to improve clinical lesions of IBH, but did not influence the pruritic score [71].…”

Equine allergic skin diseases: Clinical consensus guidelines of the World Association for Veterinary Dermatology

“…In another study, a cream containing omega‐3‐fatty acids, humectants and emollients was evaluated in a study in which IBH horses were allocated to receive the placebo on one half and active ingredient on the other half of the body so that each horse was its own control 155 . Skin lesions on the treated side improved significantly between days 0 and 28 ( p < 0.0001) in comparison to the untreated side.…”

“…Essential fatty acid products containing the omega 3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, failed to show significant improvement in one study investigating seasonal pruritus 258 . Most evidence for the use of essential fatty acids in allergic horses has focused on horses with IBH 155,157 …”

“…There are currently no published studies on skin barrier repair in atopic horses specifically, although a cream containing omega 3 fatty acids and emollients was useful in Culicoides-allergic horses. 155 Some owners of horses with allergic dermatitis believe that a combination of bathing and use of topical essential oils (Dermoscent Essential 6) is helpful (Fadok, unpublished data, 2017(Fadok, unpublished data, -2019. Barrier defects and their potential treatment should be further investigated in horses to determine whether repair is a viable treatment option.…”

Das Sommerekzem – neue Ansätze in Diagnostik und Therapie

“…Wirkstoffe wie Permethrin oder Citriodiol sind wirksam gegen Culicoides-Insekten und können direkt auf die Haut aufgetragen werden oder in Form von Permethrin-haltigen Fliegen- oder Ekzemerdecken angewendet werden. Zudem ist der Einsatz von Präparaten mit Inhaltsstoffe wie Omega-3/6-Fettsäuren, Weichmachern, Hautpflegeprodukten und juckreizlindernden, antiseborrhöischen oder antimikrobiellen Wirkstoffen beschrieben 62 . Erst kürzlich konnte in einer Studie die Wirksamkeit eines lokal auf die Sommerekzemläsionen aufgetragenen Öl s bestehend aus Kampfer, Zitronengras, Zitronenöl, Pfefferminze und Patchouli bestätigt werden 6 .…”