Sweet itch, also known as summer eczema or insect bite hypersensitivity, is one of the most irritating skin conditions a horse can face. It causes relentless itching, hair loss, and discomfort—especially during fly season.
What Causes Sweet Itch?
Sweet itch is caused by an allergic reaction to the saliva of biting midges (Culicoides species). When a sensitive horse is bitten, the immune system overreacts, triggering intense itchiness and inflammation.
- Common in warmer, humid climates
- Most often affects manes, tails, withers, and belly lines
- Can worsen season after season if unmanaged
Signs Your Horse Has Sweet Itch
- Constant tail rubbing or mane scratching
- Patchy hair loss and bald spots
- Thickened, crusty, or broken skin
- Agitation during turnout or dusk/dawn hours
How to Help: Soothing Topical Support
Rapid Relief Restorative Cream by Draw It Out® provides gentle but powerful topical support. Formulated with botanical ingredients like calendula, chamomile, and vitamin E, it soothes itching, reduces inflammation, and helps restore damaged skin—without stinging or synthetic chemicals.
It’s safe for daily use and ideal for sensitive horses prone to skin flare-ups during midge season.
How to Apply
Clean the affected area gently and apply Rapid Relief Restorative Cream 1–2 times daily to itchy or damaged skin. Use preventatively on known problem spots during high midge activity.
Additional Management Tips
- Use fly sheets or fly boots during peak midge hours
- Install fans or midge traps in stalls
- Avoid turnout near still water or wooded areas
- Rinse and clean affected areas regularly
Why It Matters
Sweet itch isn’t just a nuisance—it can seriously affect a horse’s comfort, coat condition, and quality of life. With the right daily care and support from products like Rapid Relief Cream, your horse can enjoy the season without the scratch.