Page Title

                                      Skin Care Issue

Some Bull Terriers, particularly white Bull Terriers, may suffer from severe skin
problems. Possibly there is a connection between faults with the immune system and
this severe dermatitis. Some dogs respond well to dietary changes to more natural-type
foods with few or no chemical additives. Others may require long-term treatment with
antibiotics and/or steroids. Golden State Bull Terrier Club

The above quote was taken directly from the Health Page of the Golden State Bull
Terrier Club. To understand the skin problems facing Bull Terriers, we must first look at
the function of hair. Fur or pelage is a unique feature of mammals. Follicles are pits in
the skin. Hair grows from these pits. The root is the part of the hair that is buried under
the skin, the shaft the part that we see. Hair follicles lie in close proximity to sebaceous
glands. These glands secrete an oil substance, which lubricates the hair and
conditions it. Have you ever wondered why your hair stands up when you are cold?
Next to the follicle are tiny, involuntary arrector pili muscles, which contract and cause
the hair to stand erect. These muscles also pull back on skin to cause goose bumps.

The hair shaft is made from the protein keratin and has three distinct layers. Cuticular
scales make up the outer layer. They are transparent and dead. Cortex is the next layer
and may carry pigment. The center layer is the medulla. It can be colored and has air
pockets. This arrangement of cuticular scales, cortex, and medulla is unique to
individual species. The color of the hair is determined by a group of proteins called
melanin. Eumelanin is the darkest, pheomelanin, and the lightest. These occur in
alternating bands, called agouti. The color of each hair depends on the distribution of
the hairs of differing banding pattern and the color and size of the bands. White occurs
when there is a lack of Eumelanin and black when Eumelanin is dominant.1

The coat is also made up of guard hairs and undercoat. The guard hair overlays the
undercoat and protects it. The undercoat can consist of wool, which continues to grow
throughout the year, or fur that has a definite growing time. Also included in hair
description is the vibrissae or whiskers which have bases supplied with nerves, which
convey information to animals about their environment. Hair is shed periodically in what
is called a molt. Hair serves several functions. It is used to insulate the animal either
from cold or heat. It is also used as a signal mechanism, as when dogs raise the hair
up on their backs. The pattern of the coat serves as camouflage. 2

Bull Terriers, like most dogs suffer, suffer from
It seems the plugged follicles in the skin of dogs are histologically similar to the acne
vulgaris found in humans. So just what is acne vulgaris and what can we do to help our
“hairless” friends? According to Dr. Julie Harper, Vulgaris is characterized by non-
inflammatory follicular papules (a small, solid, usually inflammatory elevation of the
skin that does not contain pus) or comedones (a plug of keratin and sebum within a
hair follicle that is blackened at the surface, also called blackhead), and by
inflammatory papules, pustules, and nodules in its more severe forms. Acne vulgaris
affects the areas of skin with the densest population of sebaceous (fat producing)
follicles. Open comedomes are blackheads, closed are white heads.

Some factors relating to vulgaris are poor diet, poor hygiene, hormones, stress, and
genetics. Follicular plugging occurs when cells are being shed from the inner lining of
follicle. They stick together, rather than flowing to the surface with sebum. Causes may
include increased cell division and or the cohesiveness of cells lining the follicle. The
cells and the sebum form a plug and block the opening of the hair follicle. If cell/sebum
protrudes from the follicular opening, it turns a dark color and becomes a blackhead.
(The color is the result of changes in the melanin rather than dirt as many owners
think.) Many owners will see an increase in acne around adolescence, this is because
with hormone changes comes an increase in the production of sebum.4

Dividing your dogs acne into one of three categories and then assigning it a level is
helpful in determining just what treatment may be best for your dog. Comedonal acne
consists mainly of white/black heads and has few inflamed areas. These are treated
best with keratolytic agents, which decrease the adhesiveness of follicular cells. Some
agents used to treat this type of acne are salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and tretinoin
(of course, all of these products are for humans and should be researched before
applying them to your Hairless. There have, however, been clinical trials using tretinoin
on Chinese Crested, which have produced good results). The second type of acne is
inflammatory acne. Inflammatory acne includes the above, plus papules and pustules.
It should be treated with topical ointments such as the ones listed above and
antibiotics. Nodulocystic acne combines all of the above with nodules and cysts or
abscesses. Topical ointments are not effective in this treatment. Antibiotic treatment is
recommended for this type of acne, with further medical treatment necessary if the skin
problems do not subside. When a single agent proves ineffectual in treating acne a
combination therapy may be helpful. A combination of tretinoin plus benzoyl peroxide
may be used to treat Comedonal acne. As with any treatment, there are dangers of
acerbating the problem with long term usage of antibiotics and corticosteroid therapy,
so please discuss these issues with your veterinarian. The aftereffects of vulgaris can
range from skin discoloration to scaring. This results from an increase in melain
granules that can lead to dark pigment, blotchiness and spots. 5

Canine adolescence can be one factor leading to Hairless skin problems. If this is the
case, then one should see a marked improvement when this phase of development
ends.
Stress, seasons, yearly vaccinations, and even food allergies can contribute to the
sudden onset acne. Fortunately, in most cases these problems clear up quickly once
the irritant is removed. However, some specimens seem prone to this condition and it
is an ongoing battle.

Many Chinese Crested owners use medicated shampoos to treat this condition.
Keratolux, Pyoben, Malaseb, as well as shampoos containing Benzoyl Peroxide may be
effective in treating mild cases of acne. One may also want to use a mild scrub such as
St. Ives Apricot Scrub or Mary Kay 3-in-1 cleanser. After bathing, apply a mild astringent
such as Witchhazel. Never apply a lotion that contains lanolin, as some dogs are
allergic to it. You may also want to use moisturizers such as Aveeno, Mary Kay
hydrating body lotion. You should apply antiseptic creams at night for best results. Don’
t forget sunscreen. Some owners apply vitamin E oil or Tea Tree oil, which has anti-
bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties.   Discoloration of the skin may be a result
of acne vulgaris; this comes about because of the darkening of the pigment. Products
used on humans to alleviate age spots may be helpful but be aware that many of these
products take off the top layer of skin and therefore leave the exposed cells more
sensitive to sunlight. Vitamin supplements may prove beneficial as well. Vitamin B
plays a pivotal role in producing healthy skin. Check with your veterinarian before giving
any supplement and thoroughly research the product. Remember, you may have to try
several product combinations until you find the one that best suits you and your pet.

If your dog’s acne is due to the onslaught of adolescence, you are in luck. The problem
will gradually get better. First you will notice a cessation of the inflammatory stage.
Later blackheads will appear darker, rather than having an opaque patina. Never try to
remove a blackhead with an opaque patina, it is not ready to come out and you can
cause skin damage, which leads to scarring if you try to remove them. When the
blackhead is clearly at the surface, it is easily rubbed away. Whiteheads are harder to
deal with as they are below the skin’s surface, but a good regiment of bathing,
freshening, and moisturizing should produce results.

In conclusion, skin is an organ, in fact, the largest organ in the body. Many things affect
it, from genetics to environment to diet. Good hygiene is essential for healthy skin, but
poor hygiene in not the primary factor, which produces acne vulgaris. Hormones,
stress, allergies, and even vaccination reaction can bring on outbreaks. Healthy,
beautiful Hairless skin does not happen overnight. It takes patience and perseverance
to produce healthy skin. Remember the mantra for healthy skin, cleanse, freshen, and
moisturizer and you are well on your way to a flawless skin.

Healthy Skin is also a product of diet. We will explore the dog food industry, nutrition,
vitamin supplements, and the new (old) alternatives to conventional diets in a future
issue.

Debra Ball