Did you know the skin is a horse’s largest organ? It serves the purpose of protecting the rest of the horse’s body, and thus the health of this organ is of utmost importance. Skin health can be affected by both internal and external factors. While the majority of impact on your horse’s skin health lies in their diet and proper body function, we can do things to help maintain the health and function from the outside too.
The Natural Microbiome
The skin is a breeding ground for microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This might sound unhealthy, but this natural microbiome protects by repelling unwelcome substances, or the actually “bad” bacteria. The microbiome plays an important role in wound healing and fighting off infections. On the other hand, an unbalanced microbiome can increase the risk of skin diseases and infections. This is important to remember when treating issues because topical products such as shampoo can affect the natural microbiome essential for healthy skin function and healing.
Why Does pH Matter?
The skin’s pH level plays a large factor in maintaining a healthy microbiome. Many topical products, including shampoo, can disrupt the natural pH level. While these products may help the problem you are treating, they may expose your horse to other issues including dryness or flaking, irritation, or infection. When choosing products, be sure they are intended for use in horses and developed specifically to support the skin’s proper pH levels. Not only will this better assist healing, but also assist in preventing more problems in the future.
Cavalor Derma Wash
Cavalor Derma Wash is a deep-cleaning shampoo that is gentle on the skin. The active ingredient – chlorhexidine – is an effective disinfectant that will not disrupt pH or the skin’s microbiome. The additional ingredients were carefully selected to ensure they do not hinder the effectiveness of the chlorhexidine, as many others do. Because of this careful selection of ingredients, you may notice Derma Wash does not foam as richly as other shampoos. Regardless of foaminess, this shampoo is an excellent choice for washing horses with flaky skin, dull coats, or skin disorders. Reach for Derma Wash to clean wounds and scratches, bathe the barn newcomers, and even disinfect tack.
Cavalor Derma Spray
Unlike some products that can strip the skin of both the “good” and the “bad” bacteria, Cavalor Derma Spray, however, helps repopulate the “good” bacteria and promotes fast healing. This easy-to-apply topical spray can be used as a natural cleansing spray to treat wounds and irritation, prevent infections, and help restore the skin’s natural protection mechanisms. It can be used on horse hooves, skin, coat, or mane and tail, making this spray a must-have in any horse stable.
The Good, The Bad, The Products
So, what does all this mean? Simply put, not all bacteria is bad bacteria. Healthy skin has a natural microbiome that helps protect against those other “bad” microorganisms. Disruptions in the skin’s pH, however, can inhibit these protective mechanisms. Therefore, when treating conditions such as flaking, irritation, or infection, it is important to carefully choose your products. Cavalor’s Derma Wash and Derma Spray are specially formulated with this in mind to ensure efficient healing while promoting better skin health long-term.
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