Hot spots on dogs, also known as acute moist dermatitis or pyotraumatic dermatitis, are a common and distressing skin condition. These red, moist, and often painful lesions can appear suddenly and spread rapidly, causing discomfort to both the dog and their owner. While conventional treatments exist, natural remedies offer a safe and effective way to manage and heal hot spots while addressing their underlying causes.
Understanding Dog Hot Spots
Hot spots are essentially an immune-mediated skin response. They can be triggered by a variety of factors, including insect bites, environmental allergens like grass or pollen, food sensitivities, or even underlying health issues. Breeds with thick or long coats are more susceptible, especially during warmer months when trapped moisture can irritate the skin. Other common culprits include flea infestations, skin infections, and even behavioral issues like boredom or stress, leading to excessive licking and chewing. Flea allergy dermatitis can also cause hot spots.
Recognizing the Signs
A hot spot can start small, resembling a bug bite, but a dog’s instinct to lick, chew, and scratch can cause it to enlarge quickly, sometimes reaching several inches in diameter within hours. As the infection progresses, you might observe hair loss in the affected area, a cherry-red color, raw and oozing skin, or crusty discharge. Fatigue in your dog can also indicate a developing infection.
Acute vs. Chronic Hot Spots
It’s important to distinguish between acute and chronic hot spots. Acute cases are typically short-lived and may be resolved with prompt natural treatment. However, if your dog experiences recurring hot spots, it could signal a deeper, underlying problem. Chronic hot spots might be linked to issues like liver disease, immune system imbalances, or physical pain, such as an achy hip or knee that the dog repeatedly irritates. Liver disease and other chronic conditions require a more thorough investigation, often with the help of a holistic veterinarian.
Natural Management Strategies
Treating hot spots naturally involves a dual approach: external application to soothe and heal the affected skin, and internal support to strengthen the body’s defenses.
External Treatments for Hot Spots
Clean the Area: Begin by gently trimming the hair around the hot spot to improve air circulation and clean away any pus or dead skin. Be very gentle, as the area can be sensitive.
Herbal Hot Spot Rinse: A soothing rinse can help prevent infection and relieve itching. Combine 8 oz of boiled, cooled filtered water with 10 drops of crab apple flower essence, 1/2 tsp Himalayan salt, 20 drops of Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris), and 10 drops of echinacea tincture. For added drying or cooling, you can substitute 4 oz of water with witch hazel or rose water. Mist or flush the area 3-4 times in the first 24 hours.
Healing Powder: Apply a healing powder to promote dryness and healing. A mixture of 1/4 cup powdered bentonite clay and 1/8 cup of powdered echinacea, plantain leaf, or yarrow works well. If herbs aren’t available, bentonite clay alone can be used. Apply for 30-45 minutes, then rinse with tepid water or the herbal wash. Repeat 2-3 times daily. Powdered bentonite clay is a key ingredient.
Herbal Salves and Sprays: For healing hot spots, salves containing calendula or St. John’s wort oil can calm the skin, reduce itching, and lower inflammation. However, avoid calendula if there is significant drainage or scabbing, as it can clog the area. A calendula and goldenseal blend mist (15 drops of each tincture in 1 cup of spring water) can be applied 3-4 times a day for painful, dry, or healing spots.
Calendula Lotion: A simple calendula lotion can be made by combining 1 cup of filtered water, 1/4 tsp table salt, and 20-40 drops of calendula tincture. Use a cotton ball to sponge the lotion onto the hot spot 2-4 times daily. Calendula is known for its skin-calming properties.
Hypericum (St. John’s Wort): This herb, often combined with calendula, is effective for pain and inflammation. A dilution of hypericum and calendula tinctures in warm water can serve as an antibacterial wash.
Black Tea: The tannins in black tea can help dry out moist hot spots and combat bacterial infections. Steep a black tea bag in 8 oz of water, let it cool, and apply with the tea bag or a cotton ball for several minutes, multiple times a day.
Colostrum: Topically applied colostrum can speed skin repair and prevent infections. Mix colostrum powder with distilled water to form a paste, apply to the hot spot, and reapply as needed after wiping off the dried paste. Bovine colostrum is a popular choice.
Apple Cider Vinegar: A diluted solution of 1 part apple cider vinegar to 1 part water can be spritzed or dabbed onto the hot spot to relieve itching.
Internal Support for Healing
Healing from the inside out is crucial for long-term resolution.
Whole Foods and Supplements: Feed your dog a diet rich in fresh, whole foods. Supplement with digestive enzymes, prebiotics, probiotics, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants to support the digestive tract and overall healing. Digestive enzymes and probiotics are vital.
Elimination Organs: Support the liver and kidneys, which play a key role in detoxification. Herbs like milk thistle, dandelion, and St. John’s wort can help cool the system and support liver function. Whole burdock tincture can also aid liver and kidney function. General dosage for tinctures is half a drop per pound of body weight twice daily. Milk thistle is beneficial for liver support.
Lymphatic System: Stimulate the lymphatic system to remove toxins and reduce inflammation. Calendula is suitable for “cool” dogs, while cleavers work best for “warm” or “hot” dogs, often those with underlying immune issues. Dosage is typically one drop of tincture per 10 pounds of body weight.
What to Avoid
Certain common remedies can be counterproductive or even harmful:
- Oral Steroids or Antibiotics: These suppress symptoms without addressing the root cause, potentially leading to recurring issues. Natural antibiotics are a safer alternative if infection is present.
- Neosporin: This antibiotic ointment is not formulated for dogs and can cause adverse side effects.
- Peroxide: It can damage delicate skin and delay healing.
- Benadryl: While it may reduce itching, it suppresses the body’s natural healing response. Consider natural alternatives like quercetin, known as “Nature’s Benadryl.” Quercetin offers antioxidant, antihistamine, and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Coconut Oil: Because hot spots are already moist, applying a moisturizing oil like coconut oil can hinder the drying process necessary for healing.
Elizabethan Collars and General Care
If your dog cannot stop licking or chewing the hot spot, an Elizabethan collar (e-collar) may be necessary to allow the area to heal without further irritation, provided it doesn’t restrict airflow.
Consistent general care is also vital. Ensure your dog receives adequate mental and physical stimulation, maintain good grooming habits to prevent matting and check for fleas, and provide fresh, clean water. Consulting with a homeopathic, herbalist, or holistic veterinarian can provide personalized guidance for chronic or recurring hot spots.
Preventing Future Hot Spots
Prevention is key to long-term skin health. Strategies include:
- Using natural flea and tick control.
- Maintaining clean living and sleeping areas.
- Minimizing exposure to known allergens.
- Feeding a healthy, whole-food diet to support the immune system.
- Reducing exposure to household toxins.
- Practicing regular grooming.
- Avoiding over-vaccination.
- Ensuring adequate exercise for overall health.
By understanding the causes of hot spots and employing natural, holistic approaches, you can effectively manage these uncomfortable skin conditions and promote your dog’s long-term well-being.
