It's been recommended I try various forms of this, different names depending on where it is sold, but all have 2% to 4% chlorhexidine gluconate ingredient.  It's not available to me in Ontario, Canada but by devious means I managed to obtain a bottle of Stanhexidine which appears to be basically the same thing.

Well this is scary stuff.  It's strictly controlled here and the label warns of skin irritation and to thoroughly rinse.  People here, and other boards, have suggested I try it on my itchy dog, who's allergies we are sure are seasonal and to pollens and grasses, though we don't know specifically which ones.

But HOW do I use it?  Dilute in water, scrub and rinse with more water?  Ratio to dilute to?  Mix with his shampoo, scrub, rinse?  Should it sit on his skin for a few minutes?  How do you apply it and use it?

When we use hibiscrub for bathing we dilute it to a pale pink - we reckon about 1 part hibi to 100 parts water.

So you bathe, don't let it sit, rinse?  Is yours a translucent liquid?  Mine is, but it's blue.

Do you mix it with shampoo so you can see where it is on the dog?  Or does it suds up on it's own?

>>When we use hibiscrub for bathing we dilute it to a pale pink - we reckon about 1 part hibi to 100 parts water.>>

I was talking to the vet nurse about Hibiscrub today she reckons it should be the colour of the Financial Times :-D

Our Hibiscrub is a translucent red, and when it's diluted well enough to be suitable for bathing/sluicing there's no need to rinse it off. If you're scrubbing up before an op you'd have it more concentrated  but you'd rinse it off afterwards. You could put a little shampoo in with it but then you'd definitely have to rinse it off.

Thank you.  Mine is from a hospital, where I'm told they use it to clean surfaces and skin before an operation.   Sounds like I can use it the same way as the vinegar/water rinse.  Which does work to curtail itch but the effect does not last long.

A lot of people are sensitive to it.  It was widely used when I worked at the riding school for cleaning wounds etc on ponies.  I preferred to use salt and water.  Not least because it brings me out in such a rash I have to take antihistamines

Well I tried it yesterday, well diluted and both of us are fine.  I did not wear gloves.  Roxylola, that was my concern, an adverse reaction in my dog.  After all, I already know his skin is itchy from allergies,  I want to be sure not to make him feel worse.  Like a shampoo our breeder uses for sebhorrea (sp?) did.  Oh my, that one made him itch like mad, poor little boy.

I think as long as you don't use it often and dilute it well you chould not be too bad.  I was probably overexposed to it over a longish period.  I would be very dubious about not rinsing but as long as it has worked for you :)

> People here, and other boards, have suggested I try it on my itchy dog, who's allergies we are sure are seasonal and to pollens and grasses, though we don't know specifically which ones.
>
> But HOW do I use it: Dilute in water, scrub and rinse with more water? Ratio to dilute to? Mix with his shampoo, scrub, rinse? Should it sit on his skin for a few minutes? How do you apply it and use it?

The key is to know exactly what you are using it for.  I use it to remove the allergens (which are carried in dust and mud too) from his skin and coat.  I use it as a preventative measure and it isn't used to treat the skin, as such (I have some creams for that when necessary).  However I do choose it knowing its medical use, and trusting it to keep his skin clean and prevent secondary infection.

Additionally, my dog has monthly injections and a daily anti-histamine BUT he has been correctly diagnosed, his allergens have been identified, and I have vet approval for everything I use.

1:10 is the guideline but I generally use it much more dilute than that.  I use a couple of short squirts of Hibiscrub into a bucket of tepid water.  I wash tummy, legs and chin with a liberal amount of this solution and then wipe the rest of him all over with a damp sponge.  If he is very muddy or dusty I hose him off with clean cool water first.  He is washed in this way after every walk.

A couple of extra things to consider: when my dog's skin is in a raised state then he's more likely to be irritated by other things too.  Be careful to dry your dog well - a damp dog can lick or scratch even more, change bedding to natural fibres, check food ingredients and keep things as natural as possible, and finally do ask your vet about testing for specific allergens.  It may be expensive but it will prove cheaper in the long run if you can correctly identify, and treat, the problem.

Thanks Dogs a babe.  I am using the same way as you.  I should have indicated that at first.  Oban has seasonal allergies to pollen, grasses, etc and is on Vet prescribed Atopica to keep his itching under control.  He has NO visible skin problems.  His skin is not broken because we keep the itching under control.  I rinse with just water after a walk but use a scrub if he has been into one particularly stinky and sticky muck hole.