Naturally Heal Your Dog’s Hot Spots
Hot spots, clinically known as acute moist dermatitis, pyotraumatic dermatitis, or pyoderma, are skin lesions that can show up anywhere on your dog. They’re ouchy, red spots that are irritated, moist, and sometimes crusty or oozy.
They start out looking like a bug bite but can grow up to 6 inches in diameter within a few hours. You’ll find them on your dog’s face, neck and chest usually, but also on their belly, legs, tail, or paws.
Most of the time they’re acute, meaning they’re infrequent and come and go quickly.
But your dog can get hot spots for a few reasons that we’ll explain below. Fortunately, there are natural treatment options to help stop their quick spread!
What Causes Hot Spots?
Any dog can get hot spots because they’re an immune-mediated skin response, but thick-haired and long-haired breeds are most prone to them. Allergic reactions, insect bites, poor grooming routine, or underlying disease can cause the immune system to produce them. But they can also stem from boredom or stress.
Dogs lick, chew, and scratch hot spots because they’re uncomfortable, and that speeds up the spread and makes them worse.
For Acute Hot Spots, Consider These 8 Factors:
Insect Bites – Could your dog have been bitten by an insect? What about fleas? Fleas can be sneaky! Check your dog’s belly closely because allergy dermatitis can cause hot spots.
Skin and Coat Health – Thick or double-coated dogs in the summer are at risk for hot spots, especially if they have matted fur or the skin beneath their coat isn’t getting enough air circulation.
Food Sensitivities – Has your dog eaten anything unusual or out of their normal diet? (Looking at all the adorable trash eaters, here!) If so, allergic reactions are a consideration.
Environmental Allergens – Exposure to grass, pollen, and mold, or swimming in scummy pond/lake water could be the culprit.
Injury – Are there any sore spots, such as an achy hip or knee, that your dog has been incessantly licking or chewing?
Skin Infection – Has your dog been excessively scratching or chewing? If your dog is prone to skin issues, that behavior can cause a hot spot.
Physical And Mental Exercise – Boredom, not enough exercise, and lack of mental stimulation can cause hot spots.
Anxiety – Does being home alone stress your dog out? What about leaving your dog when you’re on vacation? Is there any other other change in your dog’s home situation that could have caused stress? Think: New puppy, babies, a new roommate, moving, a big life event.
How Serious Are Hot Spots?
While hot spots aren’t uncommon and they can clear up quickly, if your dog gets them regularly and has a hard time kicking them, they could be a sign of an underlying health problem. Liver disease or unbalance, immune disease, a muscular injury, pain, or tension can be causes of chronic hot spots.
Reminder: We always recommend speaking with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s health!
How to Naturally Treat Them
Clean the area around the hot spot. Trim the hair around it and gently remove any pus or dead skin. You actually don’t want the hot spot to scab. You do want to avoid bacteria overgrowth in the area.
Aloe vera is a medicinal plant, traditionally used to improve skin integrity. Aloe vera is known for its anti-inflammatory, skin protection, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antiseptic, and wound healing properties.
Chamomile has been used since for centuries, and dates back to the Egyptian era. Commonly used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, astringent, and medicine. It is among the most widely used, and safest, natural remedies for dogs and cats.
Benzoin is often confused with the pharmaceutical benzonatate, but benzoin is a sap that comes from trees belonging to the Styrax family. Benzoin can be used to help heal cuts and abrasions and to fight off germs. It can also be effective, to some degree, at reducing swelling.
Lavender oil can be one of the best natural at-home remedies for hot spots. It naturally soothes inflamed skin and its antibacterial properties help reduce infection in wounds and skin infections.
Once the hot spot is cleaned up, our favorite healing mist is Unfiltered Dog’s Hot Spot Spray. It’s made with organic ingredients including aloe, lavender, benzoin, and chamomile. Unfiltered Hot Spot Spray can be sprayed directly on the hot spot 1-2 times a day.