Malassezia dermatitis in dogs typically presents as intensely itchy, red, and inflamed skin, often with a greasy, waxy, or flaky discharge. Affected skin often develops a "musty" or "sour milk" odor. Chronic cases result in "elephant skin" (thickened, leathery, and dark black/gray) and, in some cases, alopecia (hair loss).

How to get rid of Malassezia yeast on dogs?

Topical treatment.

Many dogs with greasy or oily skin will require an initial 'degreasing' cleansing with a shampoo containing selenium sulfide or benzoyl peroxide. After the initial bathing is complete, bathing with an anti-fungal shampoo containing chlorhexidine, miconazole, or ketoconazole is performed.

What does Malassezia dermatitis look like on dogs?

In dogs, Malassezia dermatitis lesions can be localized or generalized. They are typically characterized by erythema, scaling, and/or greasy exudation. In chronic cases, lichenification and hyperpigmentation also develop. Pruritus is often present and may lead to traumatic alopecia and excoriations.

How does a dog get Malassezia?

Malassezia dermatitis in dogs is usually a secondary problem due to an underlying skin disease such as allergic disease (including canine atopic dermatitis and flea allergy dermatitis), recurrent bacterial pyoderma, and endocrine diseases (especially hypothyroidism) (2).

What kills Malassezia permanently?

Pyrithione zinc kills Malassezia and all other fungi, and is highly effective against the Malassezia species actually found on scalp. Reduction in fungi reduces free fatty acids, thereby reducing scalp flaking and itch.

Top 3 Steps to Stop the Itching caused by Yeast

What happens if Malassezia is untreated?

If Malassezia dermatitis goes untreated, the skin can undergo significant changes. You might notice that the affected areas become thickened, wrinkled, and leathery. Additionally, the skin may darken in color.

What foods feed Malassezia yeast?

Sugary Foods: Diets high in sugar can provoke the overgrowth of yeast, including Malassezia, potentially worsening dandruff. Sugar can cause spikes in insulin levels, leading to inflammation and an imbalance in the skin's microbiome.

What can I feed my dog with Malassezia?

Here's why these ingredients are important in your homemade dog food to help with yeast overgrowth.

• Bone meal: supplies essential minerals and nutrients.
• Kale & broccoli: great sources of antioxidants that also support the immune system.
• ACV: can help support the normal detoxification of yeast.

What is the root cause of Malassezia?

Pityrosporum (Malassezia) folliculitis happens when yeast that occurs as part of your skin's natural flora multiplies and infects the hair follicles. The condition causes itchy pimples to form on your face, scalp and upper body.

What foods trigger eczema in dogs?

Often in dogs with food sensitivities, proteins from animal or plant-based ingredients in the diet are the cause. Beef, corn, dairy, and wheat are some of the most problematic ingredients. It may seem counterintuitive, but it can take a long time for symptoms of food allergies to become apparent.

How do I know if my dog's rash is fungal?

Fungal infections in dogs can cause many symptoms, including itchy skin, skin sores, hair loss, fever, and cough. If your dog gets a fungal infection, it can affect their skin or organs if it spreads.

What does Malassezia smell like?

Overgrowth of Malassezia produces a strong and distinctive odor, often described as similar to "toasted corn" or "rancid cheese."

How to destroy Malassezia yeast?

Options for topical therapy include azoles, selenium sulfide once a day for 3 days and then once a week, and propylene glycol 50% twice a day. Oral antifungal medications used to treat Malassezia folliculitis include itraconazole 100 to 200 mg/d for 1 to 4 weeks, and fluconazole 100 to 200 mg/d for 1 to 4 weeks.

What food kills yeast in dogs?

The Best Food Choices for Dogs With Yeast Infections

• Dehydrated Grain Free Fish.
• Dehydrated Limited Ingredient Duck.
• Dehydrated Limited Ingredient Fish.
• Functional Pour Overs: Skin & Coat Salmon Stew.
• Instant Goat's Milk With Probiotics.

Can Malassezia pass from dogs to humans?

Although rare, cases of life-threatening fungemia in people have been attributed to Malassezia pachydermatis, for which dogs are a natural host. Zoonotic transfer has been documented from dogs to immunocompromised patients by healthcare workers who own dogs.

Can Malassezia go away?

Malassezia (Pityrosporum) folliculitis is a fungal acneiform condition commonly misdiagnosed as acne vulgaris. Although often associated with common acne, this condition may persist for years without complete resolution with typical acne medications.

What shampoo removes Malassezia?

When there's an overgrowth of Malassezia, like with dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis, you may need an antifungal medicine to help get rid of some of it. Nizoral and other ketoconazole shampoos do this by weakening its cells, which ultimately gets rid of the excess malassezia that's causing your symptoms.

What increases Malassezia yeast?

The role of fungus in dandruff

Like every organism, Malassezia thrives when it is fed, and one of its favourite foods is the saturated fatty acids found in sebum. A greasy scalp, therefore, offers the perfect condition for the amount of Malassezia to increase.

What not to feed a dog with a fungal infection?

Examine your dog's diet.

Yeast loves sugar so avoid foods and treats loaded with refined carbohydrates like potatoes, corn, wheat, rice, honey, and high-fructose corn syrup should be cut out of your dog's diet. You should also avoid giving your dog any table food.

What is the best dry dog food for dogs with yeast infections?

While most dry foods rely on high-glycemic fillers like rice, corn, or potatoes, Spot & Tango avoids all of that—making it an ideal choice for dogs prone to yeast issues.

Will feeding my dog yogurt help yeast infection?

Yes, plain, unsweetened yogurt with live cultures can help dogs with yeast issues by providing probiotics that support gut health and boost the immune system, crowding out bad bacteria and yeast, but it might not be a cure and some sources suggest high-quality supplements are better to ensure therapeutic levels of probiotics and avoid sugar in dairy, according to The Honest Kitchen. It's best to use Greek yogurt for more concentrated probiotics and always check for no added sugars, but consult your vet for serious infections as yogurt alone may not be enough. 

What to avoid with Malassezia?

Ingredients to Avoid

Malassezia feeds on certain oils and fatty acids. Avoid skincare products containing: Olive oil, coconut oil, and most plant oils. Fatty acids (stearic, palmitic, oleic acids)

What light kills Malassezia yeast?

LED irradiation with 380 ± 2 and 392.5 ± 1 nm wavelengths proved to have antifungal effect against Malassezia species and no impact on NHEKs under 5 J/cm2. The findings suggest that LED might be an adjunctive therapeutic light tool against Malassezia yeasts related cutaneous diseases.

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