Cure itchy skin using virgin coconut oil

It’s almost the end of summer in Bangalore. And TailsLife’s Chief Inspiration Officer (CIO), Pepper – a Cocker Spaniel – couldn’t escape the brunt of the prickly heat of the fickle weather. One fine day, he was sulking and scratching his otherwise velvety coat. Upon close inspection, our Chief Executive Officer (err, a warm-blooded human) figured that Pepper had itchy skin that had to be attended to immediately.

Itchy skin in dogs could be caused because of sweltering summer, fleas and ticks, as well as some other reasons, including bad food. Pepper’s was heat-related. The cause diagnosed, we tried to source the best remedy. It turned out to be no medicinal pill or miracle cure, but an everyday substance. Virgin coconut oil.

Natural virgin coconut oil, experts say, is an amazing amalgam of antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiprotozoal qualities. It is believed to reduce yeast and fungus on contact and is also quite soothing – and healing – for irritated skin, hot spots, abrasions and cracked paws. As the virgin coconut oil doesn’t get treated by chemical processes like bleaching or filtering, it is absolutely safe for dogs, cats, and humans to ingest in appropriate amounts.

A medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) – lauric acid – is found in abundance in coconut oil. Lauric acid is most commonly found in the milk of mammals, and one of its primary functions is to boost the immune system. This makes coconut oil a very effective cure for bacterial and viral infections. It worked like a magic on Pepper, we reckon.

We just had to apply the oil on Pepper’s coat with bare hands. Voila, and he regained his erstwhile glow with no trace of dry skin or irritation in a couple of days!