Dog with a hot spot (acute moist dermatitis)
Hot spots spread fast — clip surrounding fur, gently clean, prevent further licking with a buster collar, and book a vet visit today.
Recognise the signs
- Hot, red, raw, weeping patch of skin, often surrounded by damp fur
- Often appears overnight or within hours
- Strong yeasty or pus-like smell
- Pet licking, chewing, scratching the area aggressively
- Hair loss over the affected area
- Pain when touched
First aid steps
- Carefully clip the fur around the patch with blunt-tipped scissors or clippers — the patch is almost always larger under the fur than it appears.
- Gently clean with cooled boiled water or sterile saline — pat dry, do not rub.
- Fit a buster collar (cone) or recovery suit to prevent further licking.
- Phone the vet for prescription antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment — hot spots rarely resolve without medication.
- Identify and address the underlying cause.
Do NOT
- Do not apply human creams (Sudocrem, hydrocortisone, antiseptic creams) — many are unsafe if licked.
- Do not bandage tightly — the area needs to breathe.
- Do not let the pet keep licking — it doubles in size in hours.
- Do not use hydrogen peroxide.
- Do not assume it will heal on its own.
When to phone the vet immediately
- Rapidly spreading lesion
- Multiple hot spots developing
- Lethargy, off food, fever
- Severe pain
- Hot spot near eye, mouth, or genitals (more sensitive areas)
Common causes
- Self-trauma from itching — fleas, allergies, ear infection, anal gland irritation
- Wet coats not dried fully (after swimming, rain)
- Insect bites or stings
- Pressure points and matted fur
- Bacterial infection of broken skin
What the vet will need to know
- When the hot spot was first noticed
- How quickly it has grown
- Likely underlying cause if known (recent swim, allergy flare, fleas)
- Flea/worm treatment history
- Other current symptoms
Aftercare
- Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medication, sometimes topical sprays or ointments.
- Buster collar continuously until healed (usually 7–10 days).
- Recheck appointment to confirm resolution.
- Address the underlying cause — allergy management, flea control, ear treatment, dry properly after swimming.
- Some dogs prone to hot spots benefit from coat trimming in summer.
Prevention
- Year-round flea control.
- Address allergies promptly.
- Towel-dry thoroughly after swimming, rain, or bathing.
- Trim heavy coats in summer.
- Address ear infections at first signs to prevent spreading scratching damage.
Breed-specific notes
- Thick double-coated breeds: Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, Bernese Mountain Dog.
- Allergic-prone breeds: Labrador, Bulldog, French Bulldog, West Highland White Terrier.
Frequently asked questions
Why do hot spots appear so suddenly?
Self-trauma damages the skin barrier within hours, allowing skin bacteria to multiply rapidly in warm, moist conditions under heavy fur. Once started, the cycle of itching, licking, and infection escalates within hours, which is why prompt clipping and treatment are essential.
Can I treat a hot spot at home with antiseptic spray?
Cleaning at home and preventing licking is helpful first aid, but most hot spots need prescription antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to resolve cleanly. Home treatment alone often leads to a partial response and re-flare.
Will my dog get more hot spots?
Hot spots reflect an underlying issue — fleas, allergies, ear infections, dampness. Recurrence is common until the underlying cause is identified and managed. A diagnostic workup with the vet is worth doing after a second or third hot spot.