I'm not exaggerating when I say that skin problems in dogs seem like an epidemic. Any of you who read my column already know that feeding the right food alleviates skin ailments about a billion percent of the time. I've written about the importance of healthy nutrition quite a lot and hope everyone is taking the time to choose good diets for their furry friends. In this month's column, however, I want to talk about some other things that can cause skin problems.

First of all, I'll address allergies that are not food-related. Dogs generally react to allergies via their skin (ear infections, hair loss, redness, etc.). If your dog is itching, biting and scratching, there's a really good chance that an allergen is responsible.

Everyone knows that most dogs are highly allergic to fleas, so keeping them at bay is very important. Unfortunately, there are no magic bullets where fleas are concerned. Some medications are heavily chemically laden and others are simply ineffective. Your vet can help you decide what works best for you and your pet. In addition to talking to a vet, however, I strongly recommend going online and reading about any medication before deciding to use it. For instance, the Advantix website clearly states that it is "extremely poisonous to cats and could be fatal". Additionally, it states that Advantix "should not be allowed to enter water courses because it is dangerous for fish and aquatic organisms". Advantix is not the only flea medication with toxicity warnings, but I'm using it as an example of why it's critical to fully understand the contraindications and warnings of any drugs that you administer.

Mites are another parasite that can cause discomfort. If your pet is scratching a lot, you might want to ask your vet for a skin scrape to determine if mites are present.

Other common allergens include inhalants like dander, mold, dust mites and pollen. Symptoms can come and go with changes in seasons or surroundings. A simple blood test can determine whether airborne particles are problematic for your dog. Once you know the culprit(s), you can better manage your pet's exposure.

While allergies, particularly food allergies, are at fault for most skin sensitivities, there are other more serious conditions that could be responsible. Hypothyroidism and Cushing's disease are two that might be involved. A vet can diagnose and treat these ailments, but you should also be your pet's advocate. I cannot emphasize that last statement enough: be your pet's advocate!

I'm saying this because skin treatment recommendations often include steroids. Long-term steroid use can cause a lot of health problems. Before you go down that path with your dog, make sure there are no other alternatives. There are some promising and safer options you can discuss with your vet.

It's also important to make sure to pay close attention to the environment. Is your dog walking on surfaces that have been treated with toxic ice-melting chemicals? Is your lawn service using caustic pesticides? If so, you might be able to substitute pet-safe ice melt or nontoxic lawn treatments.

Finally, remember to consider the obvious. If a pet suddenly begins excessively scratching and biting, it's possible that it's a simple reaction to a bur or a mat. It could even be a response to a thorn or a small bit of gravel stuck between the pads of our paws.

In addition to what I've written about, there are many other reasons a dog might have skin problems. The bottom line is that excessive scratching is something to take seriously and address quickly. It's definitely not just a normal part of being a dog!

Albert, a Jack Russell Terrier, is Chairman of the Board of Wylie Wagg, a shop for dogs, cats, and their people, in Middleburg, Fairfax, Falls Church and Arlington.