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Seasonal Recurrent Dermatitis (SSRD), or sweet itch, is a condition known all over the world under many names. Since its symptoms appear every year on the same subjects, generally in a more severe form, this condition is defined as recurrent. In the past, Onchocerca microfilariae were wrongly thought to cause sweet itch which, on the contrary, is due to the hypersensitivity reaction to Culicoides bites.
Culicoides are small, midget-like nematocera flies (about 1-3 mm) with an elongated body. They are most active at sunset, especially between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., but some species are also known to bite during the morning, while others seem to be nocturnal. The duration of these insects’ biological cycle sensibly varies from one species to the other according to region, climate and season.
In Italy, they can be seen from March to the end of September but they are particularly numerous during spring and early summer. Larvae preferably develop in mud or highly damp places, such as rivers, small stretches of stagnant or low-flowing water, brackish environments and dunghills, when the external temperature is above 10°.
The damage caused to the horse’s skin by these insects’ bites is quite severe. Indeed, Culicoides’ big proboscises prevent them from directly reaching capillaries, as mosquitos do. Therefore, these insects cause a small haemorrhage of blood from which they feed (telmophagy).
Not only Culicoides’ bites are annoying and make horses spontaneously look for cover, but they also cause wounds that often lead to bacterial and viral infections: indeed, lab analyses show that over 50 different viruses are transmitted by Culicoides.
During the summer, horses affected by sweet itch are more nervous, anxious and often refuse to be ridden. Moreover, they are so distressed by the itch that they eat less and, therefore, may loose from 10 to 15% of their bodyweight.
NODER is a complementary feed conceived to maintain skin physiological conditions in horses during spring and summer. It may be provided to horses that are particularly sensitive to culicoides‘ bites and to horses that tend to scratch during spring and summer and, therefore, show bald spots in their coats, manes and/or tails as well as skin irritation.
Moreover, NODER is the perfect product for all horses who have been affected by sweet itch the previous year.
Topic NODER is a useful product, for external use only, which can relieve the skin discomfort caused by sweet itch. Topic NODER’s properties are due to its high concentration of pot marigold (Calendula officinalis).
In fact, pot marigold is one of the so-called vulnerary herbs, which exert a healing action on skin wounds.
Moreover, it contains carotenoid substances, resins and mucilages that soften abraded skin and prevent dryness and cracking.
Pot marigold exerts a local vasodilatation action that facilitates wound healing and the formation of granulation tissue (63, 96). Pot marigold’s action on abraded skin is facilitated by the oily formula of Topic NODER.
In fact, oil improves the product’s persistence on injured skin, facilitating its healing.
Scudo is the healing cream for topical use conceived to treat rhagades and skin abrasions. It has been formulated on the basis of an ancient herbal formula and is composed of pure beeswax and well-known plant extracts, such as pot marigold ones.
Thanks to this formula, results will be evident already after few applications. Beeswax softens the skin, thus preventing the formation of hard scabs.
In phytotherapy, pot marigold extract is known as a substance accelerating wound healing, thanks to the carotenoids, resins and mucilages it contains, which exert a local vasodilatation action (63, 96). Moreover, it can increase the production of fibrin, thus accelerating wound healing while simultaneously keeping the horse’s skin hydrated.
Almond oil has soothing and emollient properties and, therefore, keeps the horse’s skin hydrated and improves skin elasticity, which is very important during wound healing.
Tea tree essential oil (Melaleuca alternifolia), which is known in phytotherapy for its local anti-inflammatory properties, greatly stimulates the immune system, which can increase phagocytic defence (47).
Disor is a scented lotion based on the essential oils of lemongrass (Cymbopogon nardus), which is rich in citronellol and citronellal, which are natural substances obtained exclusively from plant extracts and not from chemical, synthetic aromas. In the US, citronella oil has been registered as an insect repellent since 1948.
Disor is also available in ROLL-ON, to reach those areas (eyes, mouth, genital area…) on which spraying Disor should be avoided, and in GEL, which is perfect for all horses that are afraid of the noise of sprays.
BUY DISOR GEL
BUY DISOR ROLL-ON
*please, note that the products sold under Unika trademark are not pharmaceutical nor they are drugs. Such products are only meant as dietary support or non-pharmaceutical products for external use.
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