Yorkie With Irritated Skin?

Okay. So does your yorkie have dry, red, itchy skin? Yeah, mine too, and I was sick of taking him to the vet just for them to say "Oh it's allergies. Did you change foods or laundry detergent? Try using oatmeal shampoo." Well you know what, nothing worked! From home remedies like vinegar and benedryl, he would still scratch himself raw. So yesterday, I threw in the towel and decided I was going to concoct my own shampoo and conditioner in one. And sure enough, IT WORKED.

To begin, I located all his problem areas that way I could apply my concoction there first so it can soak while I apply it to the rest of his body. The shampoo consisted of: 

• Two packets of brown sugar oatmeal 

• Baking soda 

• Lemon juice

While the water was brewing in my Keurig, I poured the oatmeal packets into a bowl and disposed of the globs of brown sugar that would usually dissolve with the water for better tasting oatmeal- but we're not eating it. I then added the water, let it cool, added a pinch of backing soda, and three or four squirts of lemon juice (The measurements weren't or don't have to be exact. Just use common sense and guesstimate how much lemon and baking soda you would want use. I only used a tad of each in hopes it didn't make matters worse). After it was made and cool enough to apply, I rinsed my yorkie with slightly warm water (rain temperature is what I call it), then applied the oatmeal to his problem areas, rubbed it in, and let it sit for three minutes. The oatmeal does have to be slightly warm to provide a soothing sensation to the irritated skin and the water has to be a comfortable warm, not hot. WARNING- the oatmeal does look and feel like vomit as you're applying it, but it beats your doggie suffering.

After rinsing him thoroughly, I noticed his hair to be more smooth and shinny, and he had a feeling of "thank you" on his face. The redness was immediately gone and he had stopped scratching for the rest of the day. From that day forward, I kept making the shampoo and applied it as needed. After a while, I went from applying it every other day, to about every three or four days depending on the scratching.

• Since it's summer and every one is cutting their grass, it is me who believes freshly cut or grass in general irritates my yorkie. Therefore, after each time he comes from outside, I simply rinse his paws off with water and paper towels. 

• Since my yorkie was scratching himself raw, I made sure to keep his nails trimmed to a reasonable level so they wouldn't dig into his skin. 

• People laugh or think it's weird that I dress my yorkie, but in reality, keeping a light, cotton shirt on him prevents him from scratching directly on the problem areas. This really saves his skin especially when I'm not around to monitor his scratching. 

• Also be aware of the treats and dog food you feed your yorkie. I did a test to make sure my yorkie wasn't having an allergic reaction to his food by placing him on a table food only diet (consisting of chicken, turkey, hotdog, rice, noodles, etc.). With doing so, I found out that his food wasn't bothering him, but usually foods containing yeast or corn do irritate yorkies' skin.