2.5 year old male Beagle suffering with a skin condition

Question
Hi there, firstly thank you so much for making yourself available to answering these questions it is greatly appreciated especially in times of financial difficulty.  Not been able to run to the vet for everything.

Our beloved Beagle Peyton Merino Driver has been struggling terribly with what appears to be heat related rashes.  We went through hell last year during summer, he started licking and we could not get him to stop.  He licked and licked and then began rubbing himself on the carpet and started to develop big welts and a bright red belly.  We of course took him to a vet who was not sure what it was and thought it may be something to do with what he eats or a grass in the yard etc.  We ourselves were a little bewildered.  The vet treated him with two shots and antibiotics.  This was great for about a month or so and then it all started up again.  We resorted to giving him some benadryl and this seemed to help a little.  Low and behold once winter came he did not struggle again, which got us thinking.  We realized that he did not suffer like this at all when we first got him and then realized that during summer he always used to jump into the swimming pool and wade around on the step periodically during the day.  We figured that this must have cooled him down and that is why he never showed signs of heat rash or a rash.  We sadly lost our home and were forced to leave and luckily managed to find a home down the road but no pool.  This is when it all started.  Peyton now seems to be struggling with what i believe is a heat rash.  We live in Tampa Florida and it is now June and not Summer heat at all yet, however he has already started with a red belly and little welts under his arms, oops his little leg pits, and is also starting to scratch and lick and rub his little tummy and chest on the carpet.  We are beside ourselves and do not want to have to go through this again for his sake and of course ours.  We are looking at buying a little plastic pool with the hopes that he will climb in and cool off.  

I guess this is our non medical opinion and having no knowledge at all to make this assumptions are asking you please for any input and suggestion Please.  We are at our wits end and want to make sure that we do not have to have Peyton endure this agony and frustration again this summer.   Looking forward to your professional opinion.


Sincerely,

Guy and Nadia Driver

Answer
Hello Mr.and Mrs.Driver
You are most welcome, I want to do what I can to help people with financial difficulties and answering questions is just one of the ways. I have lowered all fees at my VET office by 10%. I know its hard and I hope I can help. I am going to admit it is hard to come up with a conclusion. I was first going to say that it sounded like a ingredient in food that is making him do this and then you mentioned he doesn't do this in the winter. Yes, it could very well be heat rash. I would get a child's pool, or before you take him outside run some cold water on him. For his belly and legs take benedryl creme or spray whichever you prefer or maybe Peyton try both and see which one works best, I would think the creme because it will protect it while he outside, and it will be cool on his skin. On the other hand he make lick it which won't hurt him but is still uncomfortable then try the spray. With him on rubbing on the carpet and grass you can tell it is irritating him and he wants it scratched. I have never dealt with heat rash on my beagle Honey because it doesn't get to awful hot where I live and she is a inside dog because she abnormally small and is spoiled and likes the air conditioner. Try those things and if you have more questions throughout the summer please don't hesitate to ask. I will keep you in mind when I go back to work and see what I can come up with. Best wishes to everyone especially Peyton.