Irish Setter Skin Problems: High Atopy Risk, Coat Sensitivities, and Care Tips

Based on peer reviewed veterinary research · For educational purposes only · Updated October 2026 · 8 min read

What Skin Problems Are Common in Irish Setters?

The most common skin problem in Irish Setters is allergic skin disease, mainly canine atopic dermatitis, followed by the bacterial skin and ear infections that develop on top of it. Atopic dermatitis is an inherited tendency to react to environmental allergens such as house dust mites, pollens and molds, and it is estimated to affect around 10% of dogs overall (Hillier and Griffin, 2001).

Breed predisposition lists differ between countries, but Irish Setters are included on several published lists of breeds at increased risk of atopic dermatitis (Jaeger et al., 2010). Signs usually begin between six months and three years of age.

Other problems seen in the breed include superficial bacterial folliculitis, otitis externa in the long, heavy ears, seborrhea with a greasy or flaky coat, acral lick dermatitis on the lower legs, and coat thinning linked to hypothyroidism. Irish Setters are also one of the few breeds known to carry canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD), a genetic defect in white blood cells. Affected puppies have repeated, severe infections of the skin, gums and other tissues, and a DNA test is available to breeders (Kijas et al., 1999).

Why Are Irish Setters Prone to Skin Allergies?

Atopic dermatitis has a strong genetic component. Affected dogs have a weaker skin barrier, which lets allergens penetrate the outer layer of the skin more easily, and an immune system that overreacts to them (Hensel et al., 2015). Itching then damages the barrier further, and the cycle continues.

The Irish Setter coat adds to the problem. The long, silky feathering on the ears, chest, belly, legs and tail collects pollen, grass seeds and dust during field work and walks. When the coat stays damp after rain, swimming or a bath, the skin underneath becomes warm and moist, which favors the overgrowth of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Malassezia yeast. Long, pendulous ears limit airflow into the ear canal for the same reason.

Many owners notice that symptoms change with the seasons. Pollen allergies peak in spring and summer, while dust mite and mold allergies often get worse in autumn and winter, when dogs spend more time indoors with central heating. Food allergy can look identical to atopic dermatitis and can only be confirmed with a strict elimination diet trial. Our guide to canine atopic dermatitis explains the diagnosis in detail.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

Allergic Irish Setters typically lick their paws, rub their face, and scratch their armpits, belly and ears. Look for red skin, brown saliva staining between the toes, a musty odor, hair loss under the feathering and repeated head shaking. Because the coat is long, early changes are easy to miss, so part the hair and check the skin weekly.

The table below helps you tell the most common problems apart.

How to Treat Irish Setter Skin Problems at Home

Home care is appropriate for an Irish Setter with mild itching, a few red bumps or a mild, localized flare who is otherwise bright and eating normally. Home care controls surface bacteria and allergens; it does not replace a diagnosis of the underlying allergy.

1. Brush the coat thoroughly first. Remove mats, burrs and grass seeds from the feathering, especially behind the ears, in the armpits and between the toes, so shampoo can reach the skin.
2. Bathe with a medicated antiseptic shampoo. Wash with a chlorhexidine shampoo, work it down to the skin and leave it on for the contact time on the label before rinsing (Mueller et al., 2012).
3. Rinse and dry completely. Rinse until the water runs clear, then dry the feathering and undercoat to the skin with a cool dryer. Damp feathering is a common trigger for new infections.
4. Wipe paws and coat after walks. During pollen season, wipe the feet, belly and face after outdoor time to reduce the allergen load on the skin.
5. Check and clean the ears weekly. Lift the ear flap, look for redness, odor or discharge, and clean only if needed with a dog-specific ear cleaner.
6. Keep up year-round flea prevention. Flea bites can trigger severe flares in allergic dogs, even in the colder months.
7. Reassess after one to two weeks. With consistent bathing two to three times a week, mild superficial infection typically starts to improve within one to two weeks. If it does not, or if itching is severe, see your veterinarian.

Veterinary Treatment Options for Irish Setter Skin Allergies

Your veterinarian will first rule out fleas, mites and infection using skin scrapings and cytology, then confirm atopic dermatitis by excluding other causes. Current guidelines recommend a multimodal approach: controlling infection, reducing itch with medications such as oclacitinib, lokivetmab, glucocorticoids or ciclosporin, and, for long-term control, allergen-specific immunotherapy based on allergy testing (Olivry et al., 2015). An elimination diet trial of at least eight weeks is used to check for food allergy.

For secondary bacterial folliculitis, topical antiseptic therapy is recommended as the first-line treatment, often on its own for mild cases and alongside systemic antibiotics for widespread infection (Hillier et al., 2014). Chlorhexidine binds to the negatively charged bacterial cell surface and disrupts the cell membrane, and it leaves a residual effect on the skin and hair. Vetified Chlorhexidine Shampoo contains chlorhexidine and is suited to bathing the full coat, while Chlorhexidine Spray treats individual spots, scabs and paws between baths. Both are FDA-registered OTC veterinary drugs listed on DailyMed.

Our pages on dog skin allergies, our guide on treating a bacterial skin infection at home and our article on why atopic dogs get chronic ear infections cover these treatments in more depth.

How Can You Prevent Skin Flares in an Irish Setter?

Atopic dermatitis cannot be cured, but flares can be made less frequent and less severe. The most useful habit is regular bathing: weekly antiseptic or gentle cleansing baths remove allergens and surface bacteria and support the skin barrier, as long as the coat is dried fully afterward.

Brush the feathering several times a week, keep the hair between the toes and under the ears neatly trimmed, and dry the coat after every swim or wet walk. Wash bedding weekly in hot water to reduce dust mites, and vacuum often during the heating season.

Keep a simple diary of flares, seasons and triggers to share with your veterinarian, since patterns help guide allergy testing and immunotherapy. Ask about omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, which may support the skin barrier. If you are buying a puppy, ask the breeder for CLAD DNA test results for both parents. Our guide to how trapped moisture causes infections in long-coated dogs has more grooming tips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Irish Setters prone to skin allergies?

Yes. Irish Setters appear on several published breed lists for canine atopic dermatitis, and allergic dogs often develop secondary bacterial skin and ear infections.

How often should I bathe an Irish Setter with itchy skin?

During a flare, a medicated bath two to three times a week is common, then once a week for maintenance. Always dry the feathering and undercoat to the skin afterward.

Can I use chlorhexidine shampoo on my Irish Setter?

Chlorhexidine shampoo is a commonly used antiseptic for dogs with superficial bacterial skin infections. Follow the label contact time, rinse thoroughly and dry the coat completely.

What is CLAD in Irish Setters?

Canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency is an inherited disorder in which white blood cells cannot reach sites of infection, causing severe recurrent infections in puppies. A DNA test lets breeders avoid producing affected litters.

Sources

1. Hillier A, Griffin CE. The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (I): incidence and prevalence. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology. 2001;81(3-4):147-151. DOI
2. Jaeger K, Linek M, Power HT, et al. Breed and site predispositions of dogs with atopic dermatitis: a comparison of five locations in three continents. Veterinary Dermatology. 2010;21(1):118-122. DOI
3. Hensel P, Santoro D, Favrot C, Hill P, Griffin C. Canine atopic dermatitis: detailed guidelines for diagnosis and allergen identification. BMC Veterinary Research. 2015;11:196. DOI
4. Olivry T, DeBoer DJ, Favrot C, et al. Treatment of canine atopic dermatitis: 2015 updated guidelines from the International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals (ICADA). BMC Veterinary Research. 2015;11:210. DOI
5. Hillier A, Lloyd DH, Weese JS, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy of canine superficial bacterial folliculitis (Antimicrobial Guidelines Working Group of the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases). Veterinary Dermatology. 2014;25(3):163 to e43. DOI
6. Mueller RS, Bergvall K, Bensignor E, Bond R. A review of topical therapy for skin infections with bacteria and yeast. Veterinary Dermatology. 2012;23(4):330-e62. DOI
7. Kijas JM, Bauer TR Jr, Gafvert S, et al. A missense mutation in the beta-2 integrin gene (ITGB2) causes canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency. Genomics. 1999;61(1):101-107. DOI

Related Reading

• Canine Atopic Dermatitis: The Complete Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment
• How to Treat a Bacterial Skin Infection on a Dog at Home
• Dog Ear Infections and Allergies: Why Atopic Dogs Get Chronic Otitis

E. Maddens

Founder of Vetified. Develops topical antifungal and antimicrobial formulations for companion animals. Vetified products are listed on DailyMed and manufactured through FDA-registered facilities in the United States.

Research basis: All Vetified content references peer reviewed research published in journals including Veterinary Dermatology, JAVMA, and Journal of Small Animal Practice.