If you have noticed red, inflamed, moist patches of skin on your dog, they may be dealing with hot spots. Hot spots are one of the most common skin issues in dogs, and while they can develop quickly and look alarming, they are treatable — especially when the underlying cause is identified and addressed.
What Are Hot Spots in Dogs?
Hot spots — medically known as acute moist dermatitis — are areas of inflamed, infected skin caused by a bacterial infection. They develop when something irritates your dog's skin and causes them to scratch, lick, or bite the affected area. This self-trauma breaks the skin barrier, creating conditions for bacteria to proliferate and infection to set in. Hot spots can appear suddenly, spread quickly, and are often red, moist, and painful to the touch.
What Causes Hot Spots in Dogs?
Hot spots are triggered by self-trauma — scratching, licking, or chewing on already irritated skin. Any condition that causes itchy or irritated skin can lead to a dog developing hot spots. Common underlying conditions include parasites, flea allergy dermatitis, food allergies, atopic dermatitis, ear infections, skin infections, anal gland problems, contact irritants, stress, matted or dirty coats, and moisture trapped in the coat after swimming or bathing.
Many of the conditions that trigger hot spots are chronic. If the underlying cause is not identified and managed appropriately, hot spots are likely to become a recurring issue. If you believe your dog is dealing with a chronic skin condition, consult your veterinarian to ensure the root cause is found and an effective treatment plan is established.
How to Treat Hot Spots in Dogs
The first step is to consult your veterinarian to determine whether an underlying skin condition or allergy is causing the irritation. Once the cause is identified, a targeted treatment plan can be developed.
Treatment for hot spots typically involves a combination of approaches. Clipping the hair around the affected area allows air to reach the skin and makes cleaning easier. The area should be cleaned with a gentle antiseptic solution to remove bacteria and debris. Topical treatments — including medicated sprays, creams, or wipes — are applied directly to the affected skin to promote healing. Antibiotics may be prescribed if the bacterial infection is significant. Steroids may be used to control inflammation and reduce itching. An Elizabethan collar (cone) may be placed on the dog to prevent further scratching, licking, or biting while the area heals.
How to Prevent Hot Spots in Dogs
The most effective way to prevent hot spots from recurring is to find and treat the underlying cause. Consistent parasite prevention, treatment of skin infections, and allergy management are key strategies for reducing the scratching, licking, and biting that lead to hot spots.
If your dog is licking, biting, or scratching due to boredom rather than a medical condition, providing more active play time and daily exercise can help redirect the behavior.
Grooming for Hot Spot Prevention
A solid grooming routine is one of the most practical ways to support healthy skin and reduce the risk of hot spots. This includes daily brushing, regular baths, nail trims, and ear cleaning. If your dog swims frequently or is bathed often, ensure the coat is dried completely afterward — trapped moisture in the coat creates the warm, damp conditions where bacteria thrive and hot spots develop.
For dogs prone to allergy-related skin irritation, DermaBliss Advanced Seasonal Allergy Health Chews provide daily allergy and immune support that can help reduce the underlying itchiness that leads to hot spots. For topical skin support, DermaBliss Omega Skin Supplement nourishes the skin barrier with essential fatty acids. Browse the full DermaBliss allergy and skin care collection for shampoos, wipes, sprays, and supplements.
