Mud Fever

Mud fever has many names including cracked heels, scratches, rain rot, greasy heel, dew poisoning. It is a common condition, usually affecting horses lower limbs; especially the back legs, and particularly if they are white, where the underlying skin is more sensitive.It is characterised by inflammation of the skin, and the appearance of crusty scabs, formed from oozing serum.
This is usually caused by the invasion of a bacterium called dermatophilus congolensis, which penetrates the skin following either damage, or softening through exposure to the wet or mud. The bacterium thrives in wet muddy conditions, and our increasingly mild and wet winters are escalating the prevalence of this troublesome condition.When the same condition occurs on the upper body, it is also referred to as Rain Rot or Rain Scald. 

Preventing mud fever in the first place, is certainly preferable, however it can at times be extremely difficult to prevent. Some horses will always be more susceptible than others, and wet muddy fields exacerbate the problem. If susceptible to mud fever, the horse's legs should be protected from the wet and mud as much as possible, and a barrier cream applied. Check the legs regularly, and at first signs of soreness, weeping or scabs, treat immediately with an effective mud fever cream, to prevent the condition worsening.

Mud fever can be a very persistent condition, and once contracted it is always best to seek the advice of your veterinary surgeon about the best treatment in each individual case. However , treatment usually follows a similar pattern --

The skin must be prevented from coming into further contact with the wet or mud, whilst the condition is being treated.

All the scabs must be removed, so that the treatment can reach the skin.

The infection must then be treated with a product that attacks the bacteria.