Severe itch problem

My dog has developed a severe problem with scratching, licking nad chewing on himself. It started out slow earlier this summer and has progressed to infections from severe scratching. I've had him to numerous vets. He has been on 5 different allergy pills similar to benedryl with not even slight results from any of them. I have also tried a few different shampoos from vets and store bought with no results other than a shiny coat.
   
He has been on steriods on and off with antibiotics to help with the infections when he gets them and that is the only time he has relief from the itching. Every vet but one said about the only thing to do is put them on a mild steriod, hoping it is a seasonal allergy.
   
We switched his food as a vet suggested. He now eats Purina One: Sensative Systems but no results from that either. As well as switching foods we switched his daily vitamin to one that is rich in fatty acids.
   
One thing that I find odd, is that almost every year he has a different skin problem. He is only 4 1/2 years old (shepard/husky mix) and when he was 1 he started getting hot spots in the summer only when I took him running in the woods. At 2 he started getting them more regularly and they took a month to disappear verses a week at 1 year old.
   
At 3 years he devolped a sever reaction (not a single hot spot) to something and had dime and penny size spots appear at random spots on his body. Each spot a scab formed in which his hair fell out when the scab came off. He had to be rushed to the vet because his throat started to swell. From the start of the reaction to when it finally reached it's peak was 12 hours. Luckly the swelling in his throat went down shortly after leaving for the vet since it was an 40 minute drive to the nearest vet who could/would take him on a Sunday.
   
Now at 4 years of age, once again no hot spots, thank God no repeated severe reations like the year before. Now it is this constant severe itch. He scratches, licks and chews when ever he gets the opportunity.
   
I am desperate to try anything that may help him without harming him!
   
Has anyone had any luck with....
   
-Allergy tests
   
-Herbal remedies
   
-Things they changed in their home that may have helped
   
-Acupuncture
   
ANY ANY ANY help or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated. My pets are my kids and I can't stand to see one suffering!
   

Hi! My Sammy has a similar problem, he's 8 years old. He's had a severe itch ever since we rescued him about 7 1/2 years ago. He's been to the drs. countless times and to a "dog" dermatologist. Found out he's allergic to everything including "human dander!" Because he has a compromised immune system from the allergies he gets what is called "demodectic mites" that burrow under his skin causing secondary infection, itchyness and sores. When his flares up (mostly in the heat or humidity & heat) he takes "ivermectin" which is prescribed from the vet. It's also used I'm told though in a smaller dose for heartworms. Along with that majority of the time he gets a secondary infection which he get antibiotics for. We try to stay away from "prednisone" because heavy steroids is really bad. He does get something called hydroxizine which is an extremely low dose of steroids, kind've a heavier dose of benedryl. That seems to work if treated when the symptoms start.
   
*Demodectic mites are parasites that are around all of us and everywhere. People/animals who's immune system is NOT compromise slough it off.
   
At the moment Sammy has had a mild summer with the problem but....now has started again with his itching. So the first thing I do is to make sure I'm current with his Frontline Plus to make sure it isn't "flea" related. Now, he's on ivermectin, hydroxazine, and antibiotics. It seems to be a never ending viscious cycle.
   
I'm hoping your Pup doesn't have the same problem or if he does a milder one.
   
I hope this post helps a little.
   
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Thank you for your reply. I've never heard of ivermectin used in itching or allergies. I remember using it a few times to deworm my horses. That is wonderful that it works for your pup! Tucker, my pup, is actually on hydroxyzine right now. He has been on it for 5 days with no results. I had no idea hydroxyzine has a mild steriod in it.
   
When I asked my vet what else I could try besides steriods he mentioned this so I will have to have a little talk with him. I have been checking every single ingredient on anything else I thought of giving him, but assumed I could trust the vet with anything he wanted to try.
   
I will ask him about ivermectin and see what he thinks about trying it. I was sceptical about doing the allergy tests, hearing that they can be diagnosed wrong because the test spots are too close together and contaminate each other making it seem as though the dog is allergic to everthing. Of course I have no personal experience, just what I have read about.
   
Thank you once again for your reply. It has definitely been helpful! I will update on what I find out.