Any breed of dog can be affected by hotspots and this uncomfortable skin condition can cause distress to your pet should they be affected. However, with the assistance of home remedies for hotspots on dogs, you can quickly and effectively soothe, as well as heal your dog’s skin.
Causes
There are several different causes of hotspots on dogs and it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause. To fully understand the causes of hotspots, it is important to know what hotspots are.
What is a hotspot exactly?
Hotspots are medically known as ‘pyotramatic or moist dermatitis’, and are a skin condition that will inflame and infect the skin of the affected area.
Hotspots can be caused by several different factors. The most common causes of hotspots are:
The most common causes of hotspots
- Allergies-this includes but is not limited to: fleas, foods, and/or atopy
- Parasitic- scabies and/or Demodex
- Anal gland disease
- Grooming or clippings
- As a result of deep pyoderma
- Constant licking in one area due to stress or boredom
- Insect bites
- Skin wounds
- Dry skin
- Bug bites
While the above list includes some of the most common causes of hotspots on dogs, there are a few other factors that can cause hotspots. A few of the more uncommon causes of hotspots are:
Uncommon causes of hotspots
- Injection site reactions
- Reactions to drugs such as anti-biotics
- Autoimmune disease
- Dermatophytosis
- Panniculitis
- Vasculitis
In the end, no matter what has caused hotspots to appear on your dog, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms in order to properly treat your dog.
Signs and Symptoms
If your dog has hotspots, they will exhibit several signs or symptoms which are associated with this canine skin condition. Hotspots are typically seen behind the ears, on the backside near the rump, near the rectum, and on the feet or legs. No matter where your dog has gotten a hotspot, you can easily identify this skin condition. Signs and symptoms of hotspots on dogs include:
- A non-stop urge to lick the affected area
- Severe itchiness at the affected area
- Redness
- Moist skin
- Hair loss at the infected site
- Non-stop biting or licking in the area
- Heightened sensitivity to pain in the affected area
- Crustiness caused from the discharge associated with hotspots
Overall, hotspots on dogs are easy to identify and even easier to treat. It is vital, however, to seek treatment as soon as you notice signs or symptoms of hotspots on your dog. Hotspots can quickly turn from a small area to an area that spans several inches on the skin.
Treatments
Once you have noticed hotspots forming on your dog’s skin, you should start a treatment regime right away. There are several home remedies that can show you how to treat hotspots on dogs. The great thing about these home remedies is the fact that they are gentle on the skin, yet they are powerful enough to fight the hotspot.
1. Direct Application of Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil is a powerful agent when it comes to fighting a plethora of skin conditions. The naturally occurring anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-microbial, and anti-itch properties found in the tea tree leaves help to soothe and heal any affected skin.
Tea tree oil is highly effective for healing any external skin conditions. It is important to remember that tea tree oil should not be consumed internally. If your pet is affected by hotspots and you wish to use this treatment, you should only use it in areas where your pet cannot lick or bite the area.
Required Ingredients:
- 100% Tea Tree Oil
- Dropper
- Cotton balls
Process:
- Fill the dropper with several drops of the tea tree oil.
- Use the dropper to directly apply the tea tree oil to the hotspots.
- Cover the area with several drops of the tea tree oil and use the cotton ball to gently rub the tea tree oil into the skin.
- Let dry and repeat this treatment two times per day until the hotspots are no longer visible.
2. Direct Application of Lavender Oil
Give your dog lavender oil, the gentle skin soother that will bring instant relief to their dry and itchy coat. The natural astringent property of this beauty ingredient also cleanses the affected area for a healthy complexion!
In addition to the gentleness associated with lavender oil, this remedy is completely safe to use on any area of the body, regardless of whether the dog is licking the area or not. The lavender oil will also provide your dog with a pleasant scent that will initiate a calming sensation when it is inhaled.
Required Ingredients:
- 3-4 drops of lavender oil
- Cotton balls
Process:
- Add the drops of lavender oil to the cotton ball.
- Gently massage the cotton ball directly on the hotspot.
- Leave the lavender oil to absorb into the skin.
- Repeat two to three times each day until the hotspots are healed.
3. Direct Application of Black Tea Bags
Black tea bags are one of the most commonly used herbal remedies due to their ease of use and effectiveness. Black tea bags are highly effective in combating hotspots due to the tannic acids present in black tea. Tannic acids will dry out the infected area and promote gentle healing of the skin.
Required Ingredients:
- Black tea bags of any brand (just be sure to avoid herbal teas)
- Warm water
Process:
- Steep one of the black tea bags for three to four minutes in the warm water.
- Remove the tea bag from the warm water only after it has cooled and place it directly onto the hotspot.
- Let the tea bag remain on the hotspot for five minutes.
- Repeat this treatment five to six times per day until the hotspots have cleared.
4. Direct Application of Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel is a natural astringent that is full of skin healing agents. Witch hazel is gentle enough to soothe any irritated skin, yet it is powerful enough to assist in the healing of a hotspot. Witch Hazel can be used to cleanse the area before using another home remedy or it can be used on its own. Either way, Witch Hazel is an excellent home remedy for hotspots.
Required Ingredients:
- 4-5 drops of Witch Hazel
- Cotton balls
Process:
- Add the Witch Hazel to the cotton ball.
- Gently massage the cotton ball on the hotspot.
- Leave the Witch Hazel to absorb into the skin.
- Repeat 2-3 times per day until the hotspots are no longer present.
5. Applying an Elizabethan Collar
Many times, hotspots are caused and further irritated from constant licking or biting in the same area. An easy and highly effective solution is simply applying an Elizabethan collar to your dog. The collar will prevent your dog from reaching (and therefore not licking or biting) the affected area. This will allow the hotspots to heal faster as they will not be further irritated by the constant contact.
Required Ingredients:
- 1 Elizabethan collar suited for your dog’s size
- An actual dog collar (to attach to the Elizabethan collar)
Process:
- Have your dog sit or lay down to place the Elizabethan collar on them.
- Attach the Elizabethan collar to the dog’s actual collar.
- Make sure the Elizabethan collar is secured in place as well as ensuring that the dog cannot reach outside the boundaries of the Elizabethan collar. (If your dog can reach outside the boundaries made by the Elizabethan collar, you will need a larger size).
- Leave the Elizabethan collar on your dog for several days or until the hotspots are cleared.
6. Giving Your Dog a Trim
Dogs that have long, thick coats are more susceptible to developing hotspots. Although it is more commonly seen in dogs with more fur, any dog can have hotspots. When you notice a hotspot forming on your dog, it is important to give the hotspot access to air. Letting the hotspot ‘breathe’ will allow the skin to dry out which in turn will help the skin heal faster.
If you do not want to give your dog a full trim, at least remove or shorten the hair around the hotspot areas.
Giving your dog a haircut, especially regularly, will also help to prevent hotspots from forming in the first place.
Required Ingredients:
- Grooming scissors
Process:
- Gently remove the hair surrounding the hotspot by trimming the hair as short as possible.
- Make sure you do not cut the skin while you are trimming the fur.
- Keep the hair trimmed short while your dog is affected by hotspots.
7. Direct Application of Betadine
Betadine is a strong and fast-acting anti-septic that will cleanse the hotspot as well as promote healing of the skin. It is important to keep any areas affected by hotspots clean so the infection will heal faster and to keep the area free from irritation.
Depending on the sensitivity of the hotspot on your dog, directly applying Betadine can be slightly painful for them. If your dog does not have a high pain tolerance or if they are suffering from severe hotspots, it is best to dilute this disinfectant before you apply it to the hotspot.
Required Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of Betadine (this can be found at any drug store or pharmacy as well as most grocery stores)
- Warm water (to dilute the Betadine)
- Cotton balls
Process:
- Directly apply three to four drops of slightly diluted Betadine to the hotspot.
- Gently massage the hotspot with the cotton ball to allow the Betadine to absorb into the skin.
- Repeat this process two times per day, depending on the size and severity of the hotspot.
- Continue this treatment until the hotspots have disappeared.
8. Direct Application of a Salt Water Solution
Saltwater solutions are a great way to cleanse the skin gently while allowing the skin to heal. A simple mixture of salt and warm water is enough to keep your dog’s hotspots clean which will promote further healing and reduce irritation.
Required Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- ½ cup of warm water
- Small bowl
- Cotton balls
Process:
- Combine the salt and the water in the small bowl and gently stir.
- Let the mixture cool slightly before applying it to the hotspots.
- Directly apply the salt water solution the hotspots and use a cotton ball to gently massage the solution over the affected area.
- Repeat two to three times per day to keep the area clean.
- Continue this treatment until the hotspots have disappeared.
9. Direct Application of Baby Shampoo
It is no secret that baby shampoos provide a gentle cleansing effect. The mildness of the baby shampoo will soothe the irritated skin and prevent further scratching and damage to the area.
Required Ingredients:
- Any brand of baby shampoo.
- Cotton balls.
Process:
- Squeeze a small amount of the baby shampoo directly onto the hotspots.
- Use the cotton ball to gently massage the shampoo into the skin.
- Leave the baby shampoo on the hotspot to fully absorb into the skin.
- Apply baby shampoo up to twice daily until the hotspots have healed.
Read more: Top 5 of the Best Dog Shampoos that Keep Your Dog Fresh and Clean
10. Direct Application of Calendula Oil
Calendula oil is a very powerful agent for nearly every type of skin condition, including hotspots. Calendula plants contain high amounts of flavonoids which are fast-acting for healing the skin and providing anti-inflammatory action to any affected area. Calendula oil helps heal skin conditions faster due to the soothing properties and anti-bacterial agents found in the plant.
In fact, according to a study performed by the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, calendula plants and oils have shown to be antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral, all of which assist in eliminating germs and healing the skin. Calendula stimulates white blood cells to destroy harmful microbes. They also found that calendula tincture to be as effective as bleach in killing germs.
Required Ingredients:
- 1 bottle or tincture of Calendula oil
- Cotton balls
Process:
- Directly apply three to five drops of Calendula oil to the hotspots.
- Gently massage the area with the cotton ball to ensure the Calendula oil will fully absorb into the skin.
- Leave the Calendula oil to dry on the skin.
- Repeat two to three times per day until the hotspots have fully healed.
Infographic
How to Prevent Hotspots from Happening!
Hotspots on dogs are easily cured when they are promptly attended to and cared for throughout the cycle of the condition. There are several things you can do to prevent hotspots from happening. This includes:
- Shampooing and grooming your dog regularly.
- Keep your pet as stress-free as possible.
- Keep your pet engaged and interacted to prevent boredom.
- Seek treatment or advice for any allergy symptoms you may notice and try to find the cause.
In the end, hotspots are a common skin condition amongst all breeds of dogs. If you find that your dog has suddenly become stricken with hotspots, you can ease their irritation and heal their skin with the help of these natural home remedies.
Bella Medhurst V
An Australian Registered Veterinary Surgeon and Practitioner, Bella Medhurst V earned her Bachelor of Animal Science at Adelaide University before going on to study Veterinary Medicine at Melbourne University, from which she graduated in 2017.She has collaborated on honours and PhD projects, and she is working to complete a publication for the Veterinary and Agricultural Faculty of the University of Melbourne.Email: [email protected]
