Dog Skin & Allergy Treatment
in Huntington Beach

It's the middle of the night, and your eyes pop open to that sound: the rhythmic lick, lick, lick in the dark, or the jingle of tags as your dog shakes their head yet again. You don't have to turn on the light to know what's happening. The itching is back.

For a lot of Huntington Beach families, this is just part of life with their dog. You treat it, it settles down, and a few weeks later you're lying awake to that same sound. After a while, it can feel like the problem will never actually be solved.

Dr. Lewis has a strong clinical interest in dermatology, and skin and allergy problems are some of the most common reasons dogs come to Huntington Beach Pet Hospital. In nearly 23 years of practice, he's seen how much these cases wear on your dog (and you), and how often the real problem is missed. If your dog is itchy, uncomfortable, and not getting better, we can help you get to the bottom of it.
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Why So Many Huntington Beach
 Dogs Have Skin and Allergy Problems

If it feels like every other dog in your neighborhood is dealing with itchy skin, you're not imagining it. Living near the coast is harder on a dog's skin than a lot of pet owners expect.

Most allergies in dogs aren't food related. Around 75 to 80 percent are environmental, a condition called atopic dermatitis: a reaction to the pollen, grasses, dust, and mold spores in the air. The mild climate in Huntington Beach means something is almost always blooming, so there's no real off-season the way there is in colder places. Because so many of us are outside with our dogs constantly, at the beach, on the trails, in the grass, they're exposed to those allergy triggers nearly every day.

Some breeds are affected more than others: Frenchies are especially prone to skin allergies, along with Bulldogs, Retrievers, West Highland White Terriers, German Shepherds, and Cocker Spaniels. If you have one of these breeds, keep an eye out for itchy skin and recurring ear infections. The earlier you catch them, the easier they are to manage. Light blue abstract wavy background shape Subtle, white line drawing of a leafy plant with long, slender leaves on a light gray background. The delicate illustration evokes a calming atmosphere, perfect for a veterinarian's office or vet clinic waiting area. Blue line drawing of a tropical plant with large, elongated leaves, featuring visible veins and detailed shading—an elegant design perfect for a veterinarian’s office or vet clinic, set against a plain white background. A happy Siberian Husky with blue eyes sits on a wooden floor, looking up with its mouth open and tongue out, wearing a blue leash and collar after a visit to the veterinarian. A simple illustration of light blue, branching seaweed or coral, featuring long, thin stems and sparse, delicate fronds on a white background—perfect décor for a veterinarian's office or vet-themed space.

The Signs of a
Skin Allergy in Dogs

One of the most useful things you can do at home is flip your dog's paw over and look at the underside. Hair loss and redness between the paw pads is one of the earliest, most common signs of an allergy, and it's a spot most owners never think to check.

Persistent paw licking is one of the most common signs of an allergy in dogs. The skin on and between the paw pads gets itchy and inflamed, and licking is how a dog tries to relieve it. The trouble is that constant licking keeps the skin damp and damaged, which makes it easy for a secondary yeast or bacterial infection to move in, and that infection makes the licking worse. If your dog is licking their paws constantly, it's worth having Dr. Lewis take a look before the cycle worsens.

Recurring ear infections deserve the same attention, since they're so often tied to allergies. We go deeper on what causes them and how we treat them in our guide to dog ear infections. Allergies show up on the skin and in the ears, and the signs are easy to write off as "just a phase" until they keep coming back. The most common things we see:
  • Constant licking or chewing at the paws
  • Recurring ear infections, or head-shaking and ear scratching
  • Red, inflamed skin, especially on the belly, armpits, and paws
  • Hair loss or thinning
  • Face-rubbing, scooting, or a smell that returns soon after a bath
 Veterinarian examining dog's injured paw with blue gloves

Why Do My Dog's Allergies
Keep Coming Back?

Most dog allergies can't be cured; they're managed, the same way they are in people. It's why the cycle feels so defeating: you treat the bad flare up, your dog gets better, and a few weeks or months later you're right back where you started.

There's a second reason allergies keep returning: when the itching comes back again and again despite medication, it's usually because a secondary skin or ear infection was never fully resolved. Allergies break down the skin's protective barrier, and bacteria and yeast move in behind them. If the medication calms the allergy but the infection underneath is left untreated, the symptoms come right back, no matter how good the allergy drug is.

This is one of the most common things Dr. Lewis sees in dogs whose allergy medication seems to have stopped working. The allergy is being managed, but the infection underneath it isn't. Finding and treating that infection, not just the allergy sitting on top of it, is often what finally breaks the cycle. A large owl wearing glasses sits on a tree branch, reading a red book about becoming a veterinarian. Green leaves and little light blue birds surround the owl against a pale background. A blue silhouette illustration of a palm tree with detailed, textured leaves, set against a plain white background—perfect wall art for a veterinarian or vet clinic waiting room. Five wavy, white, leaf-like shapes with subtle line details are arranged vertically on a light gray background, creating an abstract design that could appeal to a veterinarian or vet with its natural, calming feel. Blue line drawing of a palm tree with multiple fan-shaped leaves extending from long stems, shown on a plain white background—perfect wall art for any veterinarian or vet clinic seeking a calming touch. A close-up of a light brown and white bulldog wearing a teal harness and colorful bowtie, standing on a wooden floor and looking up at the camera with a curious expression, ready for a visit to the vet. Blue line art illustration of a spiky, bushy plant with long, slender leaves radiating outward in all directions, set against a light background—perfect for brightening up any vet or veterinarian's office.

When It Isn't Day Just Allergies

This is why Dr. Lewis takes a step back when a dog isn't responding the way an allergic dog should. Rather than reaching for a stronger allergy medication, he looks at whether something else could be the real reason the skin keeps flaring. Treating the right problem is usually what finally turns a case around. A thorough skin workup isn't only about confirming an allergy. It's about ruling out everything else that can look like one, or potentially make one worse. Plenty of itchy, infection-prone dogs have something else going on underneath, and that's often what's been missing when things never seem to get better.

Hormonal conditions are a common culprit. Hypothyroidism and Cushing's disease can both thin the coat, change the skin, and leave a dog prone to the same recurring infections that allergies cause, but they're driven by the endocrine system, not the skin, and they're diagnosed with bloodwork rather than by looking at the dog. Some breeds also come with genetic skin conditions that mimic allergies or sit alongside them, and parasites like mites can produce nearly identical signs. Each is treated very differently, so getting the diagnosis right is what matters. A happy brown and white dog with a black harness sits on a wooden floor, looking up at the camera with its mouth open, excited after a recent visit to the veterinarian.

Skin cases are detective work, and the history of your pet is just as important as the exam. We start with a lot of questions: what your dog eats (including treats and scraps!), how long the itching has been going on, where it's worst, and whether there's any history of ear infections. 

Next, the physical exam begins. Dr. Lewis pays close attention to the places allergies typically show up first: the tops and bottoms of the paws, the belly, the armpits, and the ears. Sometimes he runs in-house skin and ear cytology, taking a small sample from the skin or ear and looking at it under the microscope to see whether bacteria or yeast are driving the problem. He also might recommend bloodwork to look for underlying medical problems. Treating the wrong problem is often why a dog isn't improving.  Then he builds a plan around what your specific dog needs, not a standard protocol. Some allergy treatments also calm inflammation; others aren't the right fit for a young dog or a particular medical situation. Because Dr. Lewis owns Huntington Beach Pet Hospital, no corporate playbook decides which tests to run or which medication to reach for first. When it makes sense, he'll also talk through complementary and holistic options alongside traditional treatment.

How Dr. Lewis Approaches,
a Skin Case

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A Few Cases
From Our Practice

Allergies and ear infections are some of the most common cases we see at Huntington Beach Pet Hospital. Here are a few that show how Dr. Lewis works through them.

Blue line art illustration of a fluffy dog face

A Golden Retriever whose medication seemed to stop working.

A six-year-old Golden Retriever came in still itching after Cytopoint and Apoquel hadn’t brought relief. When Dr. Lewis examined him, he discovered that the underlying issue was a widespread yeast infection that hadn’t been addressed yet. Once he treated the infection alongside the allergy, the dog got significantly better. The medication wasn’t the problem—the infection underneath it was.

Blue line art icon of a cute dog face

A Schnauzer treated for the wrong condition for two years.

One Schnauzer came in with a chronic skin condition across his back that had been managed as an environmental allergy, then as a food allergy, for more than two years. Because the skin still wasn’t responding, Dr. Lewis ran a skin biopsy. The diagnosis was sebaceous adenitis, an uncommon condition that mimics allergies but isn’t one. With the right treatment, skin that had been treated as “allergic” for two years finally cleared up.

Blue line art illustration of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Mr. Furley, Dr. Lewis’s own puppy.

Dr. Lewis’s Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Mr. Furley, started itching and licking at just twelve weeks old. Because environmental allergies are uncommon that young, Dr. Lewis focused on ruling out mites and treating a possible food allergy. After a careful diet change, Mr. Furley is thriving on a pork and oats formula. It’s the same approach Dr. Lewis would take with any patient, and the one he chose for his own dog.

Took my dog to Dr. Lewis for a 2nd opinion on... my dog's allergies and itchiness. It turns out it was a bad ear infection... We're fixing up the infection, and his allergies. Thank you so much Dr. Lewis. Tisha C. He puts a lot of thought into his diagnosis and explanations. I feel like he cares about his patients and tries to figure out the root cause of health issues. He's very willing to try the simplest treatments first... I trust his recommendations and do not feel taken advantage of. Jamie M. Dr. Lewis has been able to help Bree with her allergies. Bree developed a nasty fungal infection, and instead of charging for a lot of tests, he went right with the prescription. Now Bree is improving a lot! Gaby V. “

What Pet Owners Say

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Allergy Medication Is Just One Piece of the Treatment Plan

A lot of owners come in worried about allergy medication, especially Apoquel. They've read about the side effects and aren't sure what's safe. Dr. Lewis will talk through the best option for your dog, whether that’s Apoquel, Cytopoint, Zenrelia, or a short course of steroids for a severe flare. He’ll cover what each one does, what to watch for, and answer any questions you have about potential side effects.

However, medication alone isn’t always the answer. Allergy drugs work best when the underlying problem, including any secondary infection, is treated at the same time. If a medication hasn't worked for your dog before, that's usually a sign something was missed, not a reason to give up on treatment. For a closer look at the specific allergy medications most commonly used, see our guide to dog allergy treatment. A large owl wearing glasses sits on a tree branch, reading a red book about becoming a veterinarian. Green leaves and little light blue birds surround the owl against a pale background. A blue silhouette illustration of a palm tree with detailed, textured leaves, set against a plain white background—perfect wall art for a veterinarian or vet clinic waiting room. Five wavy, white, leaf-like shapes with subtle line details are arranged vertically on a light gray background, creating an abstract design that could appeal to a veterinarian or vet with its natural, calming feel. Blue line drawing of a palm tree with multiple fan-shaped leaves extending from long stems, shown on a plain white background—perfect wall art for any veterinarian or vet clinic seeking a calming touch. Person petting a brindle Staffordshire Bull Terrier indoors Blue line art illustration of a spiky, bushy plant with long, slender leaves radiating outward in all directions, set against a light background—perfect for brightening up any vet or veterinarian's office.

When a dog's allergies are more than seasonal, or aren't responding to treatment, the next step is figuring out exactly what they're reacting to. Huntington Beach Pet Hospital offers allergy testing using VARL, the same test used by board-certified veterinary dermatologists. Based on the results, we can have a custom immunotherapy serum made for your dog, a treatment that works to desensitize them to their specific triggers over time.

For food allergies, blood testing is unreliable. Instead, Dr. Lewis uses a carefully controlled diet trial which is the most accurate way to identify a food trigger.

Allergy Testing and
Long-Term Management

Managing allergies is something that many pet owners need to stay on top of throughout their dog’s life. Most allergic dogs do well on a plan they stay on, and the families who get the best results are the ones who keep up with it, including the small things like routine ear cleaning at home. When an ear infection finally clears up, the urge is to stop any medications or treatments—but the maintenance is what typically helps prevent the next one. Dr. Lewis will build a plan you can commit to, and adjust it as your dog's needs change.

Because allergy care is ongoing, we know cost matters. We publish our pricing online, and if you'd like to spread payments out, we offer financing through Cherry. Light blue abstract wavy background shape Subtle, white line drawing of a leafy plant with long, slender leaves on a light gray background. The delicate illustration evokes a calming atmosphere, perfect for a veterinarian's office or vet clinic waiting area. Blue line drawing of a tropical plant with large, elongated leaves, featuring visible veins and detailed shading—an elegant design perfect for a veterinarian’s office or vet clinic, set against a plain white background. A person’s hand holds a treat in front of a gray and tan dog wearing a harness, who looks up with wide eyes in anticipation—just like at the vet’s office—while standing on a wooden floor. A simple illustration of light blue, branching seaweed or coral, featuring long, thin stems and sparse, delicate fronds on a white background—perfect décor for a veterinarian's office or vet-themed space.

Do You Need a Dog Dermatologist in Huntington Beach?

Many owners start searching for a dog dermatologist once the skin problems have dragged on and nothing has worked. Most skin and allergy cases, though, don't need a specialist. Between a thorough workup, in-house testing, allergy testing, and a long-term plan, the large majority can be managed right here at your regular vet, often by addressing the underlying infection that was holding things back.

For the smaller number of cases that do need a board-certified veterinary dermatologist, Dr. Lewis will tell you directly and help coordinate that referral. You won't be pushed onto a specialist's path you don't need, and you won't be left without one when it's genuinely the right move. A large owl wearing glasses sits on a tree branch, reading a red book about becoming a veterinarian. Green leaves and little light blue birds surround the owl against a pale background. A blue silhouette illustration of a palm tree with detailed, textured leaves, set against a plain white background—perfect wall art for a veterinarian or vet clinic waiting room. Five wavy, white, leaf-like shapes with subtle line details are arranged vertically on a light gray background, creating an abstract design that could appeal to a veterinarian or vet with its natural, calming feel. Blue line drawing of a palm tree with multiple fan-shaped leaves extending from long stems, shown on a plain white background—perfect wall art for any veterinarian or vet clinic seeking a calming touch. Tiny Chihuahua in green harness held at pet hospital Blue line art illustration of a spiky, bushy plant with long, slender leaves radiating outward in all directions, set against a light background—perfect for brightening up any vet or veterinarian's office.

Frequently Asked Questions

There’s no single answer for every dog. Over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl help only a small percentage of allergic dogs, and they don’t address what’s actually driving the itch. The right treatment depends on what’s causing the allergy and whether a secondary infection is involved, which is why an exam matters before you medicate. Dr. Lewis can tell you what’s safe to give at home and what your dog actually needs.

The most common signs are constant itching, licking or chewing at the paws, recurring ear infections, red or inflamed skin, and hair loss, often on the belly, paws, and armpits. Allergies frequently start as seasonal and become year-round over time. If you’re seeing these signs, especially if they keep coming back, it’s worth booking an exam for Dr. Lewis to take a look.

No. French Bulldogs aren’t hypoallergenic, and they’re one of the breeds most prone to skin allergies and recurring ear infections. If you have a Frenchie in Huntington Beach, it’s worth treating the early signs of itchy skin and starting a plan before it turns chronic.

The most common cause of paw licking is an allergy. Allergic skin gets itchy and inflamed on and between the paw pads, and licking is how a dog tries to relieve it. The catch is that constant licking keeps the skin damp and damaged, which lets a secondary yeast or bacterial infection set in, and that infection makes the licking worse. If your dog is licking their paws constantly, have Dr. Lewis check for underlying infection before things get worse.

Recurring ear infections are one of the most common signs of an underlying allergy, not just an ear problem. Allergic skin inside the ear canal gets inflamed and traps moisture, which lets yeast and bacteria grow. Treating the infection alone isn’t enough, which is why so many owners see it come right back. Getting ahead of recurring ear infections usually means treating the allergy underneath them, which is what Dr. Lewis looks for.

For most dogs, Apoquel is well tolerated and widely used. Like any medication it has potential side effects, which Dr. Lewis will talk about with you before starting it. Whether it’s the right choice depends on your dog’s age, health, and what’s driving the allergy.

Not usually. Unlike some older allergy medications such as antihistamines, Apoquel doesn’t typically cause drowsiness. If your dog seems unusually tired after starting any new medication, let Dr. Lewis know so he can check whether something else is going on.

The most commonly reported side effects are mild, things like vomiting or diarrhea, and many dogs have none at all. Because Apoquel affects the immune system, longer-term use needs a vet keeping an eye on it, which is why Dr. Lewis reviews your dog’s bloodwork and history before and during treatment. If you’ve read something online that worries you, bring it to your appointment and he’ll walk you through what actually applies to your dog.

Zenrelia is a newer once-daily allergy medication for dogs, in the same general family as Apoquel. It works on similar pathways to calm the itch, with its own dosing and monitoring profile. Whether Apoquel, Zenrelia, Cytopoint, or another approach fits your dog depends on their specific situation, and Dr. Lewis can compare the options with you.

Most aren’t curable, but they’re very manageable. The goal isn’t a one-time fix, it’s a plan that keeps your dog comfortable long term. For some dogs, allergy testing and custom immunotherapy can lower how reactive they are to their triggers over time, which gets ahead of the problem instead of chasing flares.

They often do without treatment. You may notice the itching spread, the skin darken or thicken (sometimes described as “elephant skin”), and infections show up more often. The earlier an allergy is managed well, the easier it is to keep your dog comfortable and avoid those changes.

Skin and Allergy Care for Dogs Across Orange County

Huntington Beach Pet Hospital treats dogs with skin and allergy problems from Huntington Beach and the surrounding communities, including Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, and Westminster.

If your dog is itching, licking, or fighting one more ear infection, you don’t have to keep guessing. Call us or request an appointment, and Dr. Lewis will help you find out what’s actually going on, and build a plan to get your dog comfortable again.