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Veterinary dermatologists
Hot spots are a common skin disorder. However, not all red and bald areas are hot spots. Learn how to recognise hot spots and when to call your vet.
DOUXO® S3 - 20+ years of expertise
Key Points
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Common signs
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An inflamed, wet area of skin caused by excessive licking or scratching, due to und...
An inflamed, wet area of skin caused by excessive licking or scratching, due to underlying itching or pain. These red patches often produce sticky discharge and can become crusty. They are prone to infection.
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Numerous causes
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Identifying underlying conditions that may lead to itching, along with regular moni...
Identifying underlying conditions that may lead to itching, along with regular monitoring of your dog's skin and coat, can reduce common triggers.
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What to do
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Put an old t-shirt on your dog to cover the area and reduce the damage caused by th...
Put an old t-shirt on your dog to cover the area and reduce the damage caused by their licking/scratching and schedule a vet appointment immediately as these are very painful. Change the shirt twice a day to prevent additional infection.
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Treatment and prevention
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If there is no infection, use DOUXO® S3 CALM Pads. If there is infection present, o...
If there is no infection, use DOUXO® S3 CALM Pads. If there is infection present, opt for DOUXO® S3 PYO Pads to keep the area disinfected. Clip the fur wider than the spot if your dog will tolerate it. Work with your vet to manage underlying causes of itching.
Is your dog licking, scratching or chewing at a spot on their skin more than usual? Have you seen a red, wet, angry patch of skin on your dog? They may be suffering from a hot spot! Learn more about what they are, how they can be treated and how we can try to stop them from happening in the first place.
What is a hot spot and what does it look like?
The medical term for a hot spot is ‘acute moist dermatitis’. Simply put, hot spots are skin complaints caused by self-trauma (excessive licking, chewing or scratching at the area) as a way to relieve itchy skin or to alleviate pain. These hot spots are localised areas of inflamed skin and can appear anywhere on the body, although typically, they appear near the area of the underlying cause. They are usually acutely itchy, can become extremely sore and often become infected.
Go to the next picture for illustration of the disorder(s)
Dr Chiara Noli, Hot spot on the back of a dog with flea bite allergy
Hot spots typically appear suddenly as red, wet, hot and angry areas of skin, usually in less than 36 hours. They are often very itchy and painful and dogs can lick or scratch them until they bleed. Hotspots produce a sticky discharge which then form a crust over the affected area. Hotspots can be smelly and are usually obvious but can be more difficult to spot if hidden under matted thick fur. The area of damaged skin often extends 2-3cm under the fur, wider than what you can see.
Hot spots often start very small and near the area of the underlying cause and can be mistaken for a pimple or insect bite, but get larger rapidly, especially if the dog is not given something to reduce the irritation and pain. Hot spots range in size from a few millimetres across to huge sores taking up large areas of skin if left untreated.
When hot spots become infected, you will often notice tiny, raised bumps on the skin and pustules (small white bumps containing pus) might around the edge of the hot spot.
What causes hot spots?
Hot spots can affect any dog at any time. They are also more common in the warmer months, due to the heat and humidity providing the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
There are a variety of causes: anything which causes intense itching can lead to licking, chewing, scratching and therefore to damage to the skin.
Common causes include:
Flea allergic dermatitis (FAD) - an allergy to flea saliva
Otitis externa (outer ear infection)
Stress or boredom licking
Injuries and grazes that do not heal properly, often due to licking and chewing
Contact irritants such as nettle stings or harsh chemicals
Anal sac impactions or infections
Musculo-skeletal conditions that are causing the dog pain
Hot spots are uncomfortable, hot, itchy and sore for your dog. Dogs then chew and scratch at the area, which makes it worse as the skin becomes more inflamed and more bacteria are introduced. Unless this cycle is stopped, the hotspot will get larger and deeper.
What should you do?
Hot spots quickly progress from small red spots to large areas of infected, sore skin. Early intervention is essential. If you think your dog has a hot spot, seek advice from your veterinary surgeon. Whilst waiting to see your vet, try and stop your dog from chewing or scratching the area.
How to treat and prevent hot spots?
How to treat hot spots in dogs?
Clipping:
Clipping hair away from the hotspot allows light and air in, and also makes cleaning and medicating the area easier. Clip 2-3cm wider than the size of the hot spot that you can see.
Cleaning & healing:
Once your vet has examined your dog, they may prescribe some treatment to reduce pain and itching. Not all hot spots require antibiotics and your vet might recommend trying to manage the area with anti-itching medications and antiseptics rather than antibiotics. The hot spot will need to be cleaned daily to remove dirt and saliva and to reduce the number of bacteria.
A product such as DOUXO® S3 CALM Pads would be a good choice to clean the area if there is no obvious infection.
Where infection is present, DOUXO® S3 PYO Pads containing chlorhexidine 3% can be used to disinfect the area instead of antibiotics.
Products from the DOUXO® S3 range all contain Ophytrium, which is proven to soothe the skin, strengthen the damaged skin barrier and makes it difficult for bacteria to clump together.
Support healing:
Hot spots take time to heal, but if your dog continues to chew or scratch at them then the healing process will be much slower, and the medications may be less effective. A body suit or a buster collar may be given to you for this purpose and must be worn at all times until the area has healed.
Can hot spots be prevented?
Consistent coat maintenance, keeping the fur free from mats and and tangles will reduce the risk of areas of rubbing from causing damage to the skin that can then turn into a hot spot.
It is also important to use effective flea control, especially in spring and summer, to reduce the risk of flea bite allergies causing a hot spot.
Using skin care that reduces inflammation and strengthens the skin barrier, especially in dogs with itchy skin, will really help to reduce the risk of hot spots developing.
Rule out underlying causes:
Hot spots are more common in dogs with an underlying skin condition. If allergic skin disease is suspected (atopy/seasonal allergies/food allergies/contact allergies), ruling this in or out and treating appropriately should reduce the overall level of ‘itchiness’ which can help to reduce flare ups and therefore reduce hot spot formation, and improve your dog’s overall skin health.
For dogs with suspected allergies, the DOUXO® S3 CALM range can help to maintain a healthy skin barrier and decrease the itch and irritation in dogs with sensitive skin. If your dog licks or scratches more than you might think is normal behaviour, seek advice from your veterinary surgeon.
Maintain optimal skin and coat health
Depending on breed, keep the coat appropriately managed, cut or groomed, especially in the hotter months. Long and dense coats may need extra attention. Make sure your pet dries off properly after swimming or bathing so that the skin doesn’t remain moist for long periods of time.
Dogs who are prone to itchy or irritated skin may benefit from regular bathing or a leave-in mousse application with a product such as DOUXO® S3 CALM , which can help soothe the skin and reduce the tendency for excessive scratching.
Manage behavioural causes:
Rarely, some dogs may develop a habit of excessive licking, chewing or scratching at times of stress or boredom. It can help to increase mental and physical stimulation through appropriate exercise, play and environmental enrichment, and by providing them with a ‘safe space’ if they are prone to anxiety. Speak to a veterinary behaviourist if you feel this may be a concern with your pet.
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If you notice your dog incessantly biting and scratching, accompanied by red and moist areas on his body, he might be suffering from acute moist dermatitis, commonly known as hot spots. This condition makes your furry friend’s skin sore and itchy, with various potential causes. It's crucial to have it examined by a veterinarian who can prescribe a hot spot treatment plan. Depending on your dog’s skin condition, the veterinarian might recommend complementing the plan with DOUXO® S3 PYO or DOUXO® S3 CALM products. The PYO line is specially developed to treat hot spots on dogs, using high-quality ingredients for maximum efficiency and safety. This routine targets bacterial overgrowth to efficiently reduce overgrowth. On the other hand, DOUXO® S3 CALM works to soothe the skin and significantly reduce itching and irritations. Trust DOUXO® S3 to help your dog overcome hot spots and recover a healthy and comfortable skin.