Nasal dermatitis

Nasal dermatitis simply means a skin disease affecting the nose. In the dog, the nose is used to describe the area that includes the muzzle and face and the rubbery nasal planum where the nostrils are located. Some diseases affect the haired skin, others the rubbery part of the nose and yet others the join between the two.

©Flemming Kristensen

There are many conditions that can affect the skin, and these can also affect the skin on or around the nasal area in dogs but there are some that particularly or only affect this area.

In most dogs the nasal planum is black or dark in color. In some diseases this area can be lighter due to loss of pigment. One such condition is commonly referred to as ‘collie nose’ (although it can occur in any breed), in fact the correct term for this condition is ‘cutaneous lupus’ and it is an autoimmune disease (where the dog’s own immune system attacks the skin of the nose). The first signs noticed will be a loss of pigment of the nasal planum but this can progress to ulcers on the nose and it may spread to the area around the eyes and nails. Treatment often involves the use of drugs to modify the immune response. The condition is often made worse by exposure to sunlight.

It is also possible for dogs to develop a true sensitivity to sunlight (solar dermatitis) although this is not very common. Solar dermatitis starts as a pink, sore nose (like sunburn initially) which can progress to crusting and, if your dog shows a sensitivity to sunlight, it is important to protect them from its harmful effects by using sunscreens. Just like in people, over exposure and repeated sunburn increases the risks of certain types of skin cancer developing.

Another common problem affecting dogs’ noses is ‘nasal hyperkeratosis’ where the skin of the nasal planum becomes very thick and horny. The footpads may also be affected. There are a few possible causes, but it can be quite benign when mild but can be a problem when the skin splits and becomes infected.

Skin diseases can be tricky for vets to deal with as many skin diseases look very similar although caused by very different things. It will almost always be necessary for your veterinarian to take some samples from the skin in order to make a diagnosis. Sometimes samples such as scrapings and swabs taken from the outside layers of the skin will provide an answer, but often skin biopsies of deeper tissues are needed. If your dog needs a skin biopsy to investigate their skin disease, they will probably need to have a general anesthetic – especially if the nose is affected.

Obviously, the treatment for the condition will depend on the underlying cause. Most nasal skin diseases require topical treatments and tablets. Some skin diseases require prolonged treatments or are not curable and so need life-long controls.