Unlikely to be inhalant in your part of the country right now with the exception of molds and house dust (mites). Even though there is no outward sign of stress, different living conditions/routine will produce some stress response in the body.
I'd think more a contact sensitivity or allergy or bacterial dermatitis.
BTW, there is a new drug out that shows promise in treating allergy.
Apoquel, made by Zoetis (formerly Pfizer) and it works a different way than anti-histamines (and much better effect in dogs). This drug will work on food allergies as well as inhalant and contact and precludes the need and use of corticosteroids in many cases.
We've had a few patients started on it (prescribed by dermatologists) and we recently started Jill on it.
For those of you who deal with chronic allergy in your dogs, it might be worth a discussion with your vet.
Doug, DVM
