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Could an Inclusion Cyst Cause Itching All Over?

by Janice

Reader Question
I have a one and half year old German Shepherd from a reputable breeder, my 5th dog from them. Never had a problem of any kind, German heritage. Within 2 months of getting her, she was scratching, vet said she had allergies. At the same time she developed a lump right on the top of her head. It was aspirated, was benign, had surgery this week on the inclusion cyst. It was sent out for biopsy. My question- could this cyst have triggered the body's response to treat it as a foreign object and put out histamines- hence causing the allergic reaction? This entire year and a half I have immersed myself in researching, reading, trying everything-changing foods (she has been on raw since birth), adding fish oil, coconut oil, supplements, vitamin C all to boost what I thought might be a underdeveloped immune system. She scratches all over, not her paws though. Also nibbles on her skin and bites by her tail. Hair on backs of her ears fall out and blister, get infected. The rest of her coat is gorgeous, shiny, healthy looking. Next step will be a dermatologist I guess. Vet said it is unusual for a young dog like this to have an inclusion cyst. Any thoughts? I am at my wit's end.... Thank you.


Answer from Our Team

It's very unlikely. An inclusion cyst (also called an epidermal or follicular cyst) is a small sac in the skin filled with keratin. It's a local problem.

It can get inflamed if it ruptures under the skin, but that causes a sore, red lump in that one spot, not itching all over the body. So removing the cyst is a good idea, but we wouldn't expect it to fix the scratching.

Itching that started young and involves the whole body is much more often caused by allergies, either to things in the environment (pollen, dust mites) or to food, and German Shepherds are one of the breeds prone to both. The only reliable way to test for a food allergy is a strict diet trial of at least 8 weeks using a prescription hydrolyzed or novel-protein diet, with nothing else by mouth. Raw diets and extra supplements, even helpful-sounding ones, add ingredients and make a trial impossible to read. See dog allergies and food allergy symptoms in dogs.

The hair loss and sores on the backs of her ears are worth mentioning specifically to your vet. Itchy ear edges are a classic sign of sarcoptic mange (scabies), which is very itchy, often doesn't show up on skin scrapings, and is usually checked by giving a trial of anti-parasite treatment. Skin and ear infections that develop on top of allergies also need their own treatment.

Seeing a veterinary dermatologist is a very good next step after a year and a half of trying things. Bring a list of everything she has eaten and every product you've tried. See cysts on dogs and itchy skin in dogs.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.

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