My dog keeps getting white spots or pimples. Should I be concerned?

It sounds like Charlie needs to be examined by the veterinarian. Those spots and the lesions on the muzzle could be several things including ringworm (which humans can get) allergies to something in the environment, food allergy or endocrine disease. Each one of these problems is detected and addressed differently and I recommend to discuss with your veterinarian which one to start hunting down first. Ringworm is diagnosed at the vet's office by examined the hairs. Food allergy is best ruled out with a diet trial using a hydrolyzed protein. Endocrine diseases are detected with blood work. Environmental allergies are a little more difficult to detect but a response to therapy or a blood test can give an indication. Once you figure out and address the underlying cause, the lesions should not come back. There are a couple things you can do at home and they can help but they may not address the underlying cause. You can try adding in an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for dogs, this can help improve the skin health. You may also try changing his diet to something like Royal Canin or Nutro as they are aimed at skin health. Also protect the area from trauma by having Charlie wear an elizabethan collar at all times if he is trying to lick or scratch the lesions. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hello. This may be just a simple skin infection caused by a staph infection. This is very common in puppies. Sometimes bathing twice weekly in an antibacterial shampoo that contains benzoyl peroxide or chlorhexidine can be just as effective as oral antibiotics. If it worsens, or Charlie seems to feel unwell, then do see your veterinarian as soon as convenient. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Charlie is adorable! I can see the bumps on his chin - these may be caused by a skin infection, which can be very uncomfortable and itchy. I recommend having Charlie seen by a vet as soon as possible as Charlie may need antibiotics. In the meantime, you should try to keep the area clean and consider getting Charlie an E-collar or "cone" to keep him from scratching the area.

Hello I wouldn't recommend popping them as that could cause bacteria from the top of his skin to get into the deeper layers and cause further problems. Sometimes a medicated pet shampoo helps clear up this type of lesion. However if more of these spots appear Hero should see his veterinarian as it could indicate a widespread skin infection.

The bald spots and pimples may indicate minor infection or may be a symptom of a broader underlying condition. Skin problems can have a variety of causes, sometimes more than one. It is important to have the condition addressed by your veterinarian to determine if there is a medical cause for your pet’s skin issues and treat accordingly. Young dogs can get skin infections, commonly referred to as 'puppy pyoderma'. This usually occurs on the belly and inside the hind legs. This type of infection usually resolves without treatment as the puppy gets older. [*Staph* infections](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/staphylococcal-pyoderma-1/) are common in dogs of all ages and may requires antibiotic therapy to treat. In pets of all ages, [fleas](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/flea-allergy/), [food allergies](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/food-allergies/) and [environmental allergies](https://www.petcoach.co/article/food-allergies-vs-environmental-allergies-whats-the-difference) (contact or inhaled) can be a cause. Any one of these may not be enough to trigger the breakouts, depending on how sensitive your pet is, but a combination can be enough to start the itch-scratch cycle. Finding out the cause and eliminating it is the best course of action. With flea allergies, if your pet is sensitive enough, a single bite can cause them to break out scratch enough to tear their skin or cause a [hot spot](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/hot-spots/). Diagnosing the cause of allergies may require [allergy testing](https://www.petcoach.co/article/allergy-testing-immunotherapy-in-dogs) and [food elimination trials](https://www.petcoach.co/article/food-trials-for-allergies-in-pets-what-to-expect). [Check for fleas](https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-check-your-pet-for-fleas-and-ticks) with a flea comb. Look for fleas and/or tiny black granules, like coarse black pepper. This is flea feces, consisting of digested, dried blood. You may find tiny white particles, like salt, which are the flea eggs. Applying a good topical monthly flea treatment and aggressively treating your house and yard will help break the flea life cycle. If you use plastic bowls, this is a possible cause for hair loss, though this tends to be on the chin, where their skin touches the bowl while they eat. If you suspect this to be the culprit, try changing the bowls to glass, metal or ceramic. Food allergies are often caused by sensitivity to a [protein in the food](https://www.petcoach.co/article/all-about-protein-in-pet-food). Hill's Science Diet offers some non-prescription options for sensitive skin as well as [prescription hypoallergenic foods](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/dog/dog-food/prescription-dog-food-and-treats) for more severe cases. Royal Canin carries limited protein and [novel protein](https://www.petcoach.co/article/what-is-a-novel-protein-pet-food) diets that may also offer some relief. Your vet can recommend a specific diet that will help.

Thanks for the image. That could be an area of trauma or irritation. It may also be some localized infection (bacterial or fungal) or maybe a papillomatous growth (wart). If he is licking or chewing at the area, place an e-collar (cone) on him and schedule an exam with your veterinarian. If the spot is not bothering him and he is behaving normally otherwise, you can choose to monitor it at home for rapid change or growth, bleeding, discharge or discomfort. Should any of these symptoms develop, an exam with your veterinarian would be required to definitively diagnose the underlying cause. Any treatment will depend on the diagnosis.

Hello. Since Charlie does not seem to be bothered by these areas, I would not be too concerned. They may be insect bites or just very minor areas of focal irritation. As long as Charlie seems unaffected, just monitor for additional occurances & call your vet if he begins to lick, chew or gnaw at any areas excessively. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.