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My dog has hot spots. Bathing makes them worse. What can I do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has hot spots , bathing her does not help. I have been using Exploring on her spots.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Paula Simons

Veterinarian

Published on December 9th, 2014

The key to combating hot spots is to keep the area clean and dry. Hot spots usually worsen when a dog starts licking the affected areas. You can try putting a cone or shirt on your dog to prevent licking/chewing at the area. You can also try cutting or clipping the hair around the hot spot to help dry the area out. I would stop bathing your dog as moisture can often make a hot spot worse. Severe hot spots need to be addressed by a veterinarian who will give your dog medication to help heal the sores.

10Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Lauren Jones VMD
Veterinarian
Published on October 9th, 2017
Poor Brooklyn Riley! If you have not yet done so, try to use clippers to clip the hair over and around the hot spot to allow for better air flow to the area. You can keep the hot spot clean with a diluted chlorhexidine solution or betadine solution, taking care to rinse and dry the area thoroughly afterwards. If you cannot find either of these antiseptic solutions, this shampoo is a good alternative: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27981 . If she is licking or scratching at the area, be sure to keep an e-collar (cone) in place until the hot spot has resolved. Some dogs with hot spots also require oral antibiotics and anti-itch medications, so if this issue persists or worsens, Brooklyn Riley may need to make a trip to her vet. I hope this helps and that all goes well!
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 6th, 2018
Hot spots can occur secondary to food or environmental allergies or can also be related to co tact hypersensitivity (such as contact with a shampoo). I would recommend having a veterinarian examine Blue - most of the time oral medications are needed to help the hot spot resolve. You can also discuss the possibility of allergies.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on May 2nd, 2019
Antibiotics (systemic) and a combination between local disinfection (betadine or hibiscrub solution ) and anti-inflammatory/antibiotic ointment are usually enough to resolve efficiently the problem.
I would strongly recommend an immediate check up to have all these prescribed.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

What should I do if my dog has a hot spot? How can I treat it at home?

I like to trim the hair around the hot spot to open up the skin to the air. Then wash it with antibacterial soap to remove the discharge. After drying it then apply thin film of antibacterial ointment on it. You can also apply some cortisone cream on it to reduce the itch. It's best to use a restraint collar to prevent licking and scratching so it will heal. Make sure there are no fleas or ear infection as these can cause itching resulting in hot spots. If they are severe and you are unable to get them to heal then I would bring Princess to your veterinarian for treatment. They may give an injection to prevent scratching and an oral antibiotic to heal the skin infection. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Princess.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My dog has recurring hot spots. How can I heal and prevent them?

Continued hotspots are generally a sign of an underlying allergy. This allergy could be related to flea bites, a food allergy or an environmental allergy. Hypothyroidism is uncommon in a young dog but is possible as well and will result in hotspots. Until you determine the underlying cause, it will be impossible to stop the hotspots. You can rule out flea allergy by using an oral flea preventative and such as Simparica or Nexgard. Food allergy is often rolled out with a prescription hydrolyzed diet. Environmental allergy can be tested with a blood sample or a response to therapy. Thyroid conditions are detected with a blood test. I recommend to call your veterinarian to discuss which option is the best one to start with. At home providing quality food and an omega-3 fatty acid supplement for pets can help maintain skin health which can provide some protection. Royal Canin and Nutro are both good diet. Keeping him dry and drying him off quickly when he gets wet can also help. Lastly, make sure to protect any hotspots from licking or scratching. He may need to wear an elizabethan collar. I hope this helps.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

What to do for my dog's severe hot spot he won't stop licking?

The best thing to do for Elmer is to take him to your veterinarian. Here they can shave the hotspot and clean it up. Antibiotics are usually prescribed for a hotspot and sometimes a topical ointment or spray. Until you can bring Elmer to your veterinarian I do recommend an Elizabethan collar to prevent him from licking. Licking a hotspot will make it worse very quickly. I hope Elmer feels better soon and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has a hotspot. How can I treat and clean it safely at home?

A definite NO on the hydrogen peroxide! 1. It is best to shave the hair around the affected area if at all possible. If you don't have clippers you can use scissors to shorten the hair - just be careful you don't cut him. If you can't shave or trim the hair don't stress too much about it. 2. You can clean and treat all in one step with these medicated pads. Twice a day. ( https://www.chewy.com/pet-md-chlorhexidine-antiseptic-dog/dp/146635 ) 3. If he is really itching you can also apply this topical hydrocortisone spray after the wound is dry from the using the pads. Once a day should be enough. ( https://www.chewy.com/zymox-enzymatic-topical-spray/dp/125742 ) If no improvement after about 5-7 days then you should have your vet check him out. Sometimes oral antibiotics are needed to clear these up if they are bad enough. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why are my dog's hot spots worse after using special shampoo?

A lot of skin conditions can look like hot spots, bacterial skin infection, ringworm, even mite infections, and allergies, flea bites and other itchy lesions. each on of these is treated with a different medication or avoidance of allergens, etc. Therefore it is very important to have a correct diagnosis, ie know what is causing the hot spot so the proper treatment can be initiated. I strongly recommend you schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for an exam of the hot spots. Your vet may want to do a skin scraping or a take a swab or brush sample to help determine the cause and then specifically address the problem.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Can I bathe my dog with a hotspot using anti-bacterial shampoo?

It should be fine to wash him bit he may be sensitive in that area so take care. Make sure the area is well rinsed and dried. If the hot spot is bad it would be good to have it examined in case treatment is required.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

How do I treat my dog's hot spots? Should I take him to the vet?

Hot spots are most commonly treated by clipping the hair from the affected area, cleaning it thoroughly, and giving prescription medication including antibiotics and/or steroids to treat the underlying problem - usually allergies, fleas, or skin mites (mange) with a secondary skin infection. I would recommend taking Max to the vet for an exam to get the necessary medication to treat his hot spots.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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