Research in Dermatology

Allergic skin diseases are among the most common causes of itching and recurrent skin problems in horses. Symptoms range from seasonal or year-round itching to skin inflammation and hair loss, and can significantly impair the well-being and performance of affected horses. In addition to a thorough clinical examination, an intradermal test is often performed to identify relevant allergens. Depending on the diagnosis, various treatment options are used, including management strategies, symptomatic treatments, or allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT).

As part of a doctoral thesis at the Equine Clinic of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, we would like to investigate the long-term course of the disease in horses, particularly those with allergic dermatitis. The aim of the study is to document long-term treatment success as well as the progression of clinical symptoms following diagnosis and, where applicable, immunotherapy.

To this end, we are seeking owners of horses who have been examined at the LMU Munich Equine Clinic due to an allergic skin condition. Your experiences and observations are an important contribution to improving the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases in horses.

Allergic Skin Diseases in Horses (DE) (PDF, 5,165 KB)

Summer eczema, triggered by an allergy to saliva allergens from midges (Culicoides), is one of the most common skin diseases in horses and causes severe itching, which significantly impairs the quality of life of affected horses.

This doctoral thesis investigates whether immunotherapy with recombinant Culicoides saliva allergens can offer a new treatment option.

A study published in 2024 demonstrated good efficacy in 9 horses. The follow-up study will now examine the effect in a larger group over a longer period of time.
You can find the paper here: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/allergy/articles/10.3389/falgy.2024.1467245/full