My dog has whitehead pimples. What are they and what should I do?

Without seeing a picture it is hard to say what they are. Yorkies can commonly have allergies that can lead to a skin infection and small pustules on the skin. They can also have adenomas that are benign skin growths that occur and appear as small warts about the size of pencil erasers. Pustules can be a sign of an infection and require antibiotics. Adenomas are typically removed if another procedure is needed and they are already under anesthesia. They are not worth anesthesia just for themselves.

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.

This appears to be a pustule (pus-filled bump), which indicates that Sebastian has a pyoderma (bacterial skin infection). You can help remove these and keep them from coming back by cleaning the area with a medicated shampoo (can find this at the pet store) daily. Clean the area for at-least ten minutes at a time using warm water and a cloth. Wipe the skin gently, but do not scrub. Don't be surprised if some of these lesions pop - this is perfectly fine. Continue the daily cleaning until you don't see these bumps anymore. If it's not getting better within two weeks, then it's best to take Sebastian to the vet. He may need stronger medication to clear this problem and they can also ensure that his overall health is OK. I hope that helps and Sebastian gets better soon.

I am sorry to hear that Love isn’t doing well. The picture looks like a possible abscess. If a veterinarian is not a possibility then I would encourage you to warm compress the area several times a day with warm water and Epsom salts if you have them. I would, however, encourage you to have her evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. She likely needs antibiotics and it may get worse if left untreated. Best of luck and I hope she improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

It is likely a condition called [puppy pyoderma](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/staphylococcal-pyoderma-1). It is similar to acne in babies. Pyoderma is usually caused by *Staphylococcus* bacteria (or *Staph* for short). There is nothing to do about it in most cases. Typically, this condition will resolve on its own . If she licks it or if the condition worsens or spreads, have her physically examined by your veterinarian. A small [e-collar](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/all-four-paws-tan-comfy-cone-5000727--1) (cone) can be used to prevent licking until she sees the doctor. Stubborn cases may require a course of antibiotics.

These appear to be little pus-filled bumps that occur due to a bacterial infection (pyoderma). Puppies commonly get this on their bellies and they usually go away with good cleaning. In an adult dog this can happen when they are in contact with something that irritates the skin and sets up an environment for infection. I recommend cleaning the belly with a medicated wipe or shampoo (can get this at the pet store) once a day until the bump(s) are gone. If it seems to get worse, then you'll want to take Calamity Jane into the vet for an exam. Below is a link to an article with more information about pyoderma. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/pyoderma-in-dogs I hope that helps and all is well with Calamity Jane.

Pimple type bumps can be a sign of a bacterial infection of the skin that often require antibiotic therapy to treat. I would recommend setting up an appointment with Bella's vet for an exam and they can prescribe antibiotics if that is what she ends up needing!