Dr Jones Gets Unusual Skin Disease

Weird Skin Condition: My Personal Journey to Diagnosis

Hello, I’m Dr. Andrew Jones, and today, I’m using myself as an example to walk you through the thought process I’d use when diagnosing a dog or cat with a skin condition. Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve experienced an unusually itchy skin problem, and I’ll show you how I approached the situation to reach a likely diagnosis.

The Itch Begins: Unusual Symptoms

For the past few weeks, I’ve had an itchy sensation on my neck and back, which is odd since I have no history of skin conditions, allergies, eczema, or food reactions. As I scratched, I started to feel small, raised bumps. You can see them on my back—slightly raised red bumps, moderately itchy, and some have elevated to the point of rupturing. I noticed it primarily on my neck and upper back, and now it’s driving me crazy. Naturally, I asked myself, “What’s changed?”

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Gathering History: A Key Diagnostic Tool

As a veterinarian, a thorough history is crucial when diagnosing skin issues in pets. I asked myself the same questions I would if I were treating a patient. For example, “What’s changed in my environment or routine?”

Well, I’ve been wearing this boot for a torn Achilles tendon, but that’s not likely related. My diet hasn’t changed, and I continue to take the same supplements (Omega-3, Vitamin D, Slippery Elm) that I’ve always taken. So, what’s different?

A Possible Clue: The Chlorinated Pool

One change is that I’ve been visiting the pool more frequently, starting out in the hot tub. As you know, pools are filled with chlorine to kill bacteria. About six weeks ago, I started noticing that my skin felt dry after using the pool. Could this dryness from the chlorine be causing these weird, red itchy bumps?

Physical Exam: A Crucial Step in Diagnosis

When diagnosing skin conditions, it’s important to conduct a full physical exam, not just focusing on the skin. In my case, I checked for swollen lymph nodes (there were none) and found myself generally healthy. The only concerning signs were the lesions along my back, now extending to my chest. This raised more questions—was it something I came into contact with? Could it be the pool?

Cold Plunging: Another Key Clue

Another recent change in my routine has been cold plunging in a local lake where the water is slow-moving. There are also ducks, which made me think of a possible condition: swimmer’s itch (or duck itch). This is caused by a parasite with a life cycle involving waterfowl like ducks. The parasite matures in snails, and when it’s ready, it looks for a bird to penetrate through the skin. Occasionally, humans swimming in the same water get hit by these parasites, causing red, itchy lesions—just like the ones I have.

Diagnosis: Swimmer’s Itch

Given my recent cold plunges in a duck-inhabited lake and my classic lesions, I’m quite confident that what I’m dealing with is swimmer’s itch. A friend of mine, who’s also been cold plunging, has experienced similar symptoms, further confirming my suspicion.

Treatment: My Approach to Managing the Itch

For treatment, I’ve been using a homemade anti-inflammatory lotion made of coconut oil, castor oil, and shea butter. This has helped reduce the inflammation and itchiness. While swimmer’s itch is common in the summer, it’s less expected in winter, as most people aren’t swimming in lakes during this time. But the diagnosis fits, and it’s a reminder that even in colder months, these parasites can still be a problem.

Say Goodbye to Itchy Skin and Allergies with Dr. Jones’ Ultimate BioActive Quercetin for Dogs and Cats

Dr. Jones’ Ultimate BioActive Quercetin

Applying My Case to Your Pets

I hope sharing my experience helps you apply these diagnostic steps to your pets. If your dog or cat develops an unusual skin condition, take a thorough history, perform a full physical exam, and consider environmental factors. Thank you for watching this edition of “Veterinary Secrets with Dr. Jones." Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel and click the bell for notifications. You can also get a copy of my new free book by clicking the link below.