What is Black Skin Disease or Alopecia X in Dogs? What Should I Do?

Black Skin Disease can be distressing to watch in your dog. 

Black Skin Disease or Alopecia X is a skin condition, which will leave your dog with hair loss and often black skin / spots on their back, legs or tummy. It is understood to be triggered by a hormone imbalance.

Alopecia X (also known as Black Skin Disease) is the progressive thinning and, if left untreated, eventual balding of your dog’s coat. Where hair loss occurs, the underlying skin often turns dark or black (called hyperpigmented skin), hence the name ‘black skin disease’.

It can leave your dog looking very moth-eaten, unhappy and down.

Early signs of Alopecia X or Black Skin Disease are:

• Gradual loss of hair’s colour and lushness
• Gradual and symmetrical loss of the guard hairs
• Increasingly cottony undercoat that is dry
• Symmetrical baldness, hair loss typically but not always starts on the rear end and may extend to the back, sides and neck
• Hyper-pigmentation (darkening) of the skin
• Generally, but not in every case, your dog will otherwise be in good health, with normal apdogite and energy levels

Alopecia X is most commonly seen in Pomeranians, Chow Chows, Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, Elkhounds, Toy Poodles and Miniature Poodles.

Next Steps You Need To Do

You need to get your dog quickly on a treatment plan. Visit your vet for a confirmed diagnosis.

Your vet might do a skin test to rule out Cushings, allergies or similar. 

Look to purchase a cream or lotion. You might need to put this lotion on for many months, so look for an organic brand so your dog won’t have side effects. The brand Dermagic is the most popular choice, developed by a lady who had a dog with Black Skin Disease.

Read more about Alopecia X / Black Skin Disease Causes, Prevention and How to Help at Home https://zoomadog.co.uk/collections/black-skin-alopecia

Find Treatment Creams and Lotions for Alopecia X / Black Skin Disease (Dermagic)  here https://zoomadog.co.uk/collections/dermagic