05.21.2008
Calm Coat Revisited
| Over the years I’ve tried to accumulate the most popular questions about Calm Coat All-Natural Lotion/Spray and its uses so I borrowed much of the content from my old website that I thought would be beneficial. Thank you in advance for reading this information. Your diligence in researching this product shows how much you care for your animal. |
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What's in Calm Coat?
We are glad you asked! You should always read the ingredients and instructions before you buy any product. The active ingredients are:
LAVENDER is one of the most widely used, safest and most versatile of all the essential oils. It is known as the NORMALIZING or balancing oil because it has such a calming, soothing effect on almost any condition, from headaches to sleeplessness. In skin treatments, it is widely regarded as THE oil to use for burns of any type. It also stops itching almost immediately. New cell growth is stimulated by the application of lavender and it helps prevents scarring.
EUCALYPTUS is known for its ANTI-INFLAMMATORY properties, almost immediately cooling the skin after application. It is used extensively for any type of respiratory condition, and you can often see it in over-the-counter medications for respiratory problems.
TEA TREE is the most powerful IMMUNE-STIMULANT we have in the aromatherapy field. In addition to WOUND HEALING, it has great promise in suppressing viral conditions. This oil is one of the reasons Calm Coat is so effective on "hot spots" for dogs and healing mange conditions.
All three of these essential oils have antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-fungal and antiviral properties, which, when used together have a synergistic effect. Aromatherapy products work with the body in healing, so you need only A VERY SMALL AMOUNT to be effective.
Few essential oils are used "neat", or undiluted. They are added to a carrier oil. We chose canola oil, just like the quality you cook with, so if you see your dog or cat lick it off, they will be fine. However, if you are using Calm Coat correctly there should be very little on the animal's coat.
Remember to always spot test for sensitivity. Put a few drops in a small area and check in a few hours. Do not mix products. When in doubt always consult with your veterinarian.
What does it do?
Actually, we get calls every week with a new application for Calm Coat, but we originally created it specifically to help horses:
* Stops Itching
* Speeds Healing
* Speeds Hair Regrowth
* Heals Hot Spots
* Soothes Irritations from Insects
Calm Coat generally helps almost any skin condition!
There are many products available but we wanted something that was all-natural, multi-purpose, cost-effective, and something that animals liked. We also felt it important for Calm Coat to accomplish several things at once. Skin irritations are typically cyclical, meaning the irritation starts with a wound or condition - which creates an odor which then attracts insects - which aggravates the skin causing more itching - which exacerbates the wound. Calm Coat works on everything at once so the problem doesn't keep repeating itself.
After the skin has healed, most people continue to use Calm Coat preventatively. A small preventative misty spray is all you need. In Florida, where it rains daily in the summer, we use it for fungus and rain rot. Calm Coat is essentially an all-around first aid lotion that soothes and heals almost any skin irritation in horses. Calm Coat is most effective on the mane and tail, on the face, in the ears, on the girth area, and on thin thoroughbred legs that have been insect-bitten. Remember, you only need a little bit to be effective.
On dogs, cats, bunnies, and goats it is great for hot spots and itchy ears. Just remember you only need a few drops to cover a 3" square area. Be sure to let the lotion to absorb into the skin. Once you apply Calm Coat, it begins working immediately. More is not better in aromatherapy products!
What won't it work on?
We haven't had every condition here at the Ranch, but on any condition that requires a MOISTURIZING agent for healing, it has been effective.
Calm Coat can patch up almost any skin condition, but it will not solve systemic allergy problems. Most animals have a LOCAL reaction to insect bites, or rubbing, but some animals have an overall, or SYSTEMIC reaction. For this problem, you must also treat systemically. When your horse rubs himself raw and you apply products daily and nothing works, chances are you have a systemic reaction. Animals are not like kids that sometimes outgrow allergies. Our experience at Last Chance Ranch is that they only get worse. Calm Coat can help soothe the symptoms of an allergic reaction, but it cannot treat the underlying cause of the reaction. If your horse has a systemic/allergic reaction to any situation, please consult your veterinarian.
What about side effects?
We worked very hard to develop a natural product without side effects; however, there may be an occasional unusual reaction. If you follow the instructions - apply lightly on the first application - then sparingly thereafter, you should have no problems. Also, be sure to spot test for sensitivity first. Put a few drops on a small area and check it in a few hours to see if your animal is having any problems. A few drops will cover a 3" square area.
The only problem we know of is when Calm Coat is over-applied. Some folks use much more than the recommended application. Over-saturation does not allow the skin to breathe, which is necessary for healing. Eventually, scurfing, or peeling will occur.
There may be cases when a small amount of product is applied and you see a little peeling with healthy skin emerging underneath. This is fine. Think of the irritated skin before Calm Coat as similar to sunburned skin. Once the skin has been damaged (as from a wound or rubbing), it cannot be repaired. That damaged skin, like sunburned skin, needs to come off. When you see peeling, check the skin underneath to see if it is healthy and pink. If it is, Calm Coat is working. At this point, you can apply even less of the product for future applications.
To see how little you need, take ONE DROP of Calm Coat and rub it into the back of your hand. ONE DROP will cover the entire back of your hand. When used correctly, Calm Coat is very cost effective! Always use less, rather than more.
What about gnats, noseeums, and culicoides?
Calm Coat has a great track record in helping with irritations from these insects; especially if the horse is itching on mane, tail, face and girth areas.
My horse itches only his tail, what can I do?
If Calm Coat doesn't work in a week, make sure his sheath or her under-parts are clean. This is important. If you don't know how to keep these areas clean, please consult your veterinarian. It is important to have a thorough and regular hygiene program for your horse. We suggest that once you've determined that sheath / under parts are clean, wash the anal area using just a small amount of liquid soap - such as IVORY. Then, apply a small tube of triple antibiotic cream over the entire area under the tail. Sometimes horses get itchy there, or accidentally scratch the area while rubbing the tail. As with any first aid treatment, if you are not experienced in treating your horse or your pet, please consult your veterinarian.
CAUTIONS
Calm Coat is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you have any question about the diagnosis or severity of the problem or appropriate treatment, please contact your veterinarian. If he or she has a question about Calm Coat, I will be happy to speak with them.
Our goal is to be truly helpful to you and your pet. Please remember however, that individual animals may respond differently. Always spot test for sensitivity.
DO NOT MIX PRODUCTS. Many horses are allergic ingredients such as citronella - check the ingredients and instructions of other products you may be using in addition to Calm Coat.