hot spots on legs

Question
hi, i have a bichon frise, mollie who is 2 and a half... since autumn started she has had quite a few differant problems which i think are allergy related. first of all she had dermatitis in her paws which my lovely vet gave me special shampoo to wash her feet in, which did work but as soon as the shampoo ran out it came back, she also has hot spots on every leg which i wrap a bandage round and they heal but new ones develop. my vet has gave her injections which are fab temporarily but as soon as they wear off its back. luckily i have had experience in  allergies in dogs as my last dog was ill with them, and i spent alot of time giving him fatty acids, antihistimine and bathing in special shampoos so i know really thats all you can do... however i would like to know if here is anything else i can do that will help my little friend... i dont want to spend 50 pounds takin her to see my vet every month for a temporary fix... she also has ear infections and scoots round the floor on her bottom but has been treated for worms and anal sacs... also, im not sure if you have heard of thornit but i use that on her ears and it helps a great deal, please can you advise me how i can help mollie and if there is anything else i can do for her. what anti histimine is best to give her, i gave my last dog piriton but ive heard benydryl is better. hope you can give me a little more advise thank you kindly emmax p.s we have a cat who is inside the house alot in autumn/winter could he be the problem.

Answer
Ask your vet to get your dog an oral steroid to give every other or every third day.  With the allergy shots of steroids, they do wear off after a time and the allergies are back.  Giving pills seems to level out the effect of the steroids and allows the skin to remain calm.  If steroids are causing your dog any side effects, then there is another drug called Atopica (cyclosporine) that can be tried oralaly.