Hot Spot on Your Dog? Do This First

What Should You Do First for a Dog Hot Spot?

If your dog has a hot spot, the first thing to do is clip or trim the hair around the sore area, then clean it well with an antiseptic scrub.

A hot spot is also called acute moist dermatitis. It is a bacterial infection of the hair follicles that often appears as a red, oozing, sore, smelly patch of skin.

Hot spots can show up fast.

Your dog goes swimming.

Maybe he gets a small scratch on his face.

Then suddenly, almost within hours or by the next day, he is scratching, rubbing, and you are staring at a red, angry, wet skin sore thinking, “Well, that escalated.”

The good news is that many hot spots respond well to topical treatment at home.

But you need to start correctly.

Clip.

Clean.

Then treat.

That order matters.

Dr. Jones’ Skin Relief Balm for Dogs and Cats

What Is a Hot Spot on a Dog?

A hot spot is a red, moist, inflamed skin infection.

The proper name is:

Acute moist dermatitis

It is often a bacterial infection involving the hair follicles.

A typical hot spot may look like:

• A red oozing patch of skin
• A wet-looking sore
• An inflamed area under the hair
• A tender, painful skin lesion
• A sore that smells bad
• A spot your dog keeps scratching or rubbing

The face is a common area, especially around or under the ear.

Hot spots can also appear on other parts of the body, especially where moisture, scratches, allergies, or irritation are involved.

What Causes Hot Spots in Dogs?

Hot spots often start when the skin is irritated, scratched, wet, or inflamed.

A classic example is a dog that goes for a swim, gets a small scratch, and then begins scratching or rubbing the area.

That moisture and irritation can allow bacteria to grow quickly in the hair follicles.

Common triggers may include:

• Swimming
• Moisture trapped near the skin
• Scratches or small skin injuries
• Matted hair
• Fleas
• Ticks
• Environmental allergies
• Food allergies
• Repeated itching and scratching

Once your dog starts scratching, the area gets more inflamed.

The more inflamed it gets, the more your dog scratches.

A lovely little cycle.

Except no one enjoys it.

Especially your dog.

What Does a Hot Spot Look Like?

A hot spot is usually not just a tiny surface scrape.

It is typically:

• Red
• Oozing
• Inflamed
• Moist
• Sore
• Tender to touch
• Sometimes smelly
• Often rapidly worsening

Your dog may pull away when you touch it because it hurts.

And fair enough.

If someone poked my red, infected skin sore, I would also have opinions.

Is Every Red Skin Infection a Hot Spot?

No.

Not every skin infection that looks like a hot spot is actually a simple hot spot.

Some dogs have deeper infections, especially when the area is on the face or under the ear.

In some cases, there may also be fungi infecting the hair follicles or skin.

These cases may not respond well to topical home remedies.

Some dogs may need:

• Systemic medication
• A systemic antibiotic
• A topical antifungal
• A systemic anti-inflammatory
• Veterinary care

Fortunately, most simple hot spots respond well to topical treatment.

But if it is not improving, do not keep guessing.

Step 1: Clip or Trim the Hair Around the Hot Spot

The first real treatment step is clipping or trimming the hair around the hot spot.

The bacteria are thriving within the hair follicles.

If the hair stays matted, wet, and stuck over the sore, the hot spot can keep spreading.

And yes, the hair will grow back.

Your dog may look slightly patchy for a while.

That is okay.

Patchy is better than infected.

How to Trim the Hair Safely

Use clippers if you have them.

If you do not have clippers, use blunt scissors.

Trim carefully around the entire hot spot.

You want to remove hair until you reach skin that looks:

• Healthy
• Normal
• Not red
• Not inflamed
• Not wet or oozing

Be careful not to cut the skin.

That sounds obvious, but dogs do not exactly sit still and say, “Wonderful technique, carry on.”

Go slowly.

Step 2: Clean the Hot Spot With an Antiseptic Scrub

After clipping the hair, the next step is cleaning.

You need to scrub away:

• Surface bacteria
• Debris
• Inflammation
• Moist discharge
• White cells
• Crusty material

Cleaning helps topical treatments work much better.

If you put a remedy on top of hair, pus, moisture, and debris, it will not work nearly as well.

Option 1: Chlorhexidine Scrub

One good option is chlorhexidine.

Chlorhexidine is commonly used as a surgical scrub.

It does a good job cleaning the skin and removing surface bacteria.

You can usually pick it up at a pharmacy.

To use it:

1. Apply diluted chlorhexidine to gauze.
2. Gently scrub the clipped hot spot area.
3. Clean the entire surface well.
4. Wipe away debris.
5. Let the area dry.

Use it carefully and avoid getting it into the eyes.

Option 2: DIY Black Tea and Castile Soap Scrub

You can also make your own antiseptic-style scrub.

This uses:

• Concentrated black tea
• Natural castile soap

Black tea can help as part of the cleansing process, and castile soap helps scrub away debris and bacteria.

Castile soap is an oil-based soap often made from coconut oil, olive oil, and other oils.

DIY Hot Spot Scrub Recipe

Ingredient	Amount
Concentrated black tea	1/2 cup
Natural castile soap	Enough to make a gentle scrub

How to Use It

1. Steep black tea until concentrated.
2. Let it cool.
3. Add natural castile soap.
4. Mix well.
5. Apply to gauze.
6. Scrub the hot spot area thoroughly.
7. Rinse or wipe as needed.
8. Let the area dry.

Either chlorhexidine or the black tea and castile soap scrub can work well for cleaning.

Step 3: Choose a Topical Hot Spot Treatment

After clipping and cleaning, you can choose a topical remedy.

For hot spots, I am looking for something that can help:

• Dry up excess moisture
• Reduce bacteria
• Help with possible fungal involvement
• Decrease inflammation
• Reduce itching and scratching

Here are the topical options I would consider.

Quick Guide: Dog Hot Spot Remedies

Remedy	Best For	How Often	How Long
Black tea and aspirin	Many simple hot spots	4 times daily	3 to 5 days
Hypochlorous acid spray	Mild topical hot spot support	4 times daily	5 to 7 days
Propolis spray	Bacterial, fungal, and inflamed hot spots	4 times daily	As needed
Witch hazel with aloe	Moist, inflamed hot spots	4 times daily	As needed
Green tea and apple cider vinegar	More stubborn or recurring hot spots	4 times daily	3 to 5 days
1% hydrocortisone	Itchy, inflamed areas	Small amount, short term	Ideally 2 days, up to 10 days
Oral propolis	Deeper or non-responding hot spots	Daily	14 to 21 days

Remedy 1: Black Tea and Aspirin for Hot Spots

This is one of my standby topical remedies.

Black tea helps because it is:

• Antibacterial
• Anti-inflammatory
• Astringent

That means it can help kill surface bacteria, reduce inflammation, and dry up the excess moisture that feeds the hot spot.

Aspirin adds more topical anti-inflammatory support.

Black Tea and Aspirin Recipe

Ingredient	Amount
Concentrated black tea	1/2 cup
Regular strength aspirin	1 tablet, 325 mg

How to Make It

1. Make 1/2 cup of concentrated black tea.
2. Let it cool.
3. Add one regular strength aspirin, 325 mg.
4. Crush the aspirin thoroughly.
5. Dissolve it well into the tea.
6. Soak gauze in the mixture.
7. Wipe the full hot spot area thoroughly.

How Often to Apply

Apply:

4 times daily

For:

3 to 5 days

I have often found this treatment alone works for at least about 50% of hot spots.

When it works, you should see marked improvement within 3 to 5 days.

Remedy 2: Hypochlorous Acid Spray

Hypochlorous acid is made from ionized salt water.

It is also naturally found in white blood cells, where it helps kill bacteria.

This makes it a very useful topical skin option.

It is:

• Natural
• Non-irritating
• Mild
• Antibacterial
• Easy to spray on the skin

This is a good option if you want something gentle and simple.

How to Use Hypochlorous Acid

Spray it directly onto the hot spot area.

Use:

4 times daily

For:

5 to 7 days

This can work well for mild topical hot spots.

Remedy 3: Propolis Spray for Hot Spots

Propolis comes from honeybees.

It is also known as bee glue.

Bees make it to help reinforce their hive.

For dogs with hot spots, propolis can be useful because it has:

• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Antibacterial properties
• Antifungal properties

That covers a lot of what we are trying to address in a hot spot.

Important Propolis Caution

Use a non-alcohol-based propolis spray.

Do not use an alcohol-based spray on an oozing open wound.

That will sting.

A lot.

And your dog will remember your betrayal.

How to Use Propolis Spray

Spray the hot spot area.

Use:

4 times daily

Many dogs respond well to topical propolis alone.

It has a pleasant smell, does not sting when non-alcohol-based, and helps target bacteria, inflammation, and possible fungal involvement.

Remedy 4: Witch Hazel With Aloe

Witch hazel is an old topical remedy.

It has been used for skin problems and can be helpful for hot spots because it is an astringent.

That means it can help dry up excess fluid.

Witch hazel may also have anti-inflammatory properties.

When combined with aloe, it becomes a good topical option for inflammation and skin comfort.

Important Witch Hazel Caution

Use water-based witch hazel.

Avoid alcohol-based witch hazel.

Alcohol on an open, oozing hot spot can sting badly.

That is not the kind of drama we are trying to create.

How to Use Witch Hazel With Aloe

1. Soak gauze with witch hazel and aloe.
2. Wipe the hot spot area well.
3. Cover the full affected area.
4. Let it dry.

Use:

4 times daily

This can help many dogs with moist, inflamed hot spots.

Remedy 5: Green Tea and Apple Cider Vinegar for Stubborn Hot Spots

This option is one I would reserve more for a hot spot that is not responding well to a couple of the simpler topical treatments.

If your dog has not responded to black tea and aspirin, then you may be dealing with a more serious infection, possibly resistant bacteria or a secondary fungal infection.

Ideally, see your veterinarian.

But if that is not possible right away, this is one treatment option to consider.

Why Green Tea Helps

Green tea is:

• Antibacterial
• Anti-inflammatory
• A good topical option

Why Apple Cider Vinegar Helps

Apple cider vinegar, or ACV, is:

• Antibacterial
• Antifungal
• Anti-inflammatory

ACV may be especially useful when there is possible fungal involvement or more resistant bacteria.

Green Tea and ACV Recipe

Ingredient	Amount
Concentrated green tea	1 cup
Apple cider vinegar	2 tablespoons

How to Apply It

1. Mix 1 cup of concentrated green tea with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
2. Soak gauze in the mixture.
3. Lightly dab it over the hot spot first.
4. Make sure it is not too sore for your dog.
5. If tolerated, apply it more thoroughly.
6. Repeat 4 times daily.

How Often to Apply

Apply:

4 times daily

For:

3 to 5 days

Often, if this is going to help, you should see marked improvement within 3 to 5 days.

Remedy 6: 1% Hydrocortisone for Itchy, Inflamed Hot Spots

If your dog is not responding because he keeps scratching, rubbing, and irritating the area, then you may consider adding a gentle topical corticosteroid.

One option is:

1% hydrocortisone

This can help reduce surface inflammation and itching.

The goal is to stop your dog from scratching long enough for the hot spot to heal.

How to Use Hydrocortisone

After using one of the topical treatments, you can apply a small amount of 1% hydrocortisone over the area.

Use only a small amount.

Use it for the shortest time needed.

How Long to Use It

A small amount for up to:

10 days

Can be okay.

But even 2 days may be helpful.

The shorter the time you can use steroids, the better.

Topical steroids can be absorbed and have systemic effects. They may also increase the risk of bacterial growth.

So this is not something I would use casually or forever.

Remedy 7: Oral Propolis for Deeper or Non-Responding Hot Spots

If your dog is not responding to topical treatment, or you suspect a deeper infection, oral propolis may be worth considering.

Propolis is also known as bee glue.

It has antibacterial properties and is generally very safe, with few side effects reported.

This is not my first step.

My first step is always:

Clip.

Clean.

Disinfect.

Topical treatment.

But for a dog not responding topically, oral propolis may be a useful bonus option.

Oral Propolis Dose

Give:

100 mg per 10 lbs of body weight daily

For large dogs around 80 lbs, I would be inclined to give:

One 500 mg capsule twice daily

Use for:

14 to 21 days

Hot Spot Remedy Dosage and Use Table

Remedy	Amount	Frequency	Duration
Black tea and aspirin	1/2 cup black tea plus 325 mg aspirin	4 times daily	3 to 5 days
Hypochlorous acid spray	Spray affected area	4 times daily	5 to 7 days
Propolis spray	Spray affected area	4 times daily	As needed
Witch hazel with aloe	Apply with soaked gauze	4 times daily	As needed
Green tea and ACV	1 cup green tea plus 2 tbsp ACV	4 times daily	3 to 5 days
Hydrocortisone	Small amount of 1% cream	Short term	Ideally 2 days, up to 10 days
Oral propolis	100 mg per 10 lbs	Daily	14 to 21 days
Oral propolis for 80 lb dog	500 mg capsule	Twice daily	14 to 21 days

Which Hot Spot Remedy Should You Choose First?

If I were dealing with a simple hot spot, I would start with the basics.

Best First Steps

1. Clip or trim the hair.
2. Clean the area well.
3. Use chlorhexidine or a DIY scrub.
4. Start with black tea and aspirin, hypochlorous acid, propolis spray, or witch hazel with aloe.
5. Apply consistently.

For many dogs, that is enough.

If the hot spot is more stubborn, then I would consider green tea with apple cider vinegar.

If scratching is preventing healing, a short course of 1% hydrocortisone may help calm the inflammation.

If the hot spot is deeper or not responding, oral propolis may be considered, but I would also be thinking strongly about veterinary care.

How Can You Prevent Recurring Hot Spots?

If your dog gets recurring hot spots, prevention is where the real work begins.

1. Groom Your Dog Regularly

Regular grooming helps prevent mats and trapped moisture.

Comb your dog often, especially during summer.

This also gives you a chance to find small skin lesions before they become big infected hot spots.

2. Check for Fleas and Ticks

External parasites can trigger itching and scratching.

During grooming, check for:

• Fleas
• Ticks
• Small scratches
• Matted hair
• Early skin irritation

A daily check is especially helpful in summer.

It is also a great time to catch ticks early, before they have been attached long enough to spread disease organisms.

3. Dry Your Dog After Swimming

If your dog swims, dry him thoroughly afterward.

Do not let moisture sit on the skin for a long time.

Moisture trapped near the skin can trigger hot spots, especially if your dog has thick hair or mats.

Labs, I love you.

But you are often wet.

And proud of it.

4. Look for Underlying Causes

Recurring hot spots usually have a reason.

Possible underlying causes include:

• Fleas
• Ticks
• Environmental allergies
• Food allergies
• Ongoing itching
• Moisture trapped in the coat

If your dog has repeated itching and scratching, you need to look deeper.

5. Consider a Food Trial

If food allergy may be involved, consider a proper food trial.

That means feeding a unique protein your dog has never had before for at least:

8 weeks

One example mentioned is:

Fish and sweet potato

During the trial, avoid extra treats or other proteins.

The whole point is to keep the diet simple enough to know whether food is contributing.

Supplements for Dogs With Recurring Hot Spots

For dogs with recurring hot spots, especially those linked to allergies, I would start with two key supplements:

• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Bioactive quercetin

These may help reduce inflammation and support healthier skin.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Skin and Hot Spot Prevention

A good quality omega-3 fatty acid supplement can be very helpful for skin disease and may help prevent recurring hot spots.

Omega-3s help support healthier skin and reduce inflammation.

If the skin is healthier and less inflamed, your dog may be less likely to scratch himself into another hot spot.

Omega-3 Dose

Give:

500 mg per 25 lbs of body weight daily

For larger dogs like Angus and Murdoch, around 80 lbs, I would be looking at:

750 to 1,000 mg of omega-3s daily

You want high enough doses to make a difference.

Bioactive Quercetin for Environmental Allergies

Bioactive quercetin is a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory.

Quercetin is a flavonoid found in foods such as:

• Kale
• Apple
• Onion
• Black tea
• Green tea

In supplement form, it can provide allergy-protective properties.

The bioactive form discussed comes from a whole plant extract from the flower of the Sophora japonica plant.

It can be especially helpful for dogs with environmental allergies, including those allergies that lead to recurrent hot spots.

Bioactive Quercetin Dose

Give:

50 mg per 15 lbs of body weight daily

For larger dogs like Angus and Murdoch, I would consider:

About 150 mg twice daily

Especially if allergies are leading to recurrent hot spots.

Prevention Support Dosage Table

Support Option	Dose Mentioned	Best Used For
Omega-3 fatty acids	500 mg per 25 lbs daily	Skin disease, inflammation, recurring hot spots
Omega-3s for 80 lb dog	750 to 1,000 mg daily	Larger dogs needing higher skin support
Bioactive quercetin	50 mg per 15 lbs daily	Environmental allergies and recurring hot spots
Bioactive quercetin for large dogs	About 150 mg twice daily	Allergy-related hot spots
Food trial	Unique protein for 8 weeks	Suspected food allergy
Oral propolis	100 mg per 10 lbs daily	Deeper or non-responding hot spots

Step-by-Step: What I Would Do for a Dog Hot Spot

Step 1: Confirm It Looks Like a Hot Spot

Look for:

• Red skin
• Oozing
• Moisture
• Tenderness
• Odor
• Scratching or rubbing

If it looks deep, severe, or unusual, call your veterinarian.

Step 2: Clip the Hair

Trim the hair around the hot spot.

Clip until the surrounding skin looks healthy and normal.

Do not leave matted or wet hair covering the sore.

Step 3: Clean the Area

Use chlorhexidine or a black tea and castile soap scrub.

Clean thoroughly.

Remove debris, bacteria, moisture, and discharge.

Step 4: Choose One Topical Treatment

Pick one:

• Black tea and aspirin
• Hypochlorous acid spray
• Non-alcohol propolis spray
• Water-based witch hazel with aloe
• Green tea and apple cider vinegar for more stubborn cases

Use consistently.

Step 5: Stop the Scratching

If your dog keeps scratching, consider a small amount of 1% hydrocortisone for the shortest time needed.

Stopping the scratching can help the skin finally heal.

Step 6: Watch for Improvement

Many simple hot spots should show marked improvement within:

3 to 5 days

If there is no improvement, reassess.

Step 7: Prevent the Next One

For recurring hot spots, look at:

• Grooming
• Drying after swimming
• Flea and tick control
• Environmental allergies
• Food allergies
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Bioactive quercetin

The best hot spot treatment is the one you do not need because you prevented the next flare-up.

Some veterinarians report that up to 25 to 30% of these cases may be deeper infections that require systemic treatment.

That can include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication, or other care.

So yes, try the sensible topical steps when appropriate.

But do not ignore a hot spot that is not improving.

Final Thoughts

If your dog has a hot spot, do this first:

Clip the hair.

Clean the area.

Then treat topically.

A hot spot is acute moist dermatitis, usually a bacterial infection of the hair follicles. It often looks red, moist, oozing, tender, and smelly.

For many dogs, topical care can work very well.

I would consider options such as black tea and aspirin, hypochlorous acid, propolis spray, witch hazel with aloe, or green tea and apple cider vinegar.

If your dog keeps scratching, a small amount of 1% hydrocortisone for a short time may help reduce inflammation.

For recurring hot spots, prevention matters.

Groom regularly.

Dry your dog after swimming.

Check for fleas and ticks.

Consider allergies.

Use omega-3 fatty acids and bioactive quercetin when allergy-related inflammation is part of the problem.

And if the hot spot is deep, painful, spreading, or not improving, see your veterinarian.

Simple steps can help many dogs.

But the right diagnosis still matters.

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P.S. The first thing I would do for a dog with a hot spot is clip the hair and clean the skin well.

If you skip that step, the bacteria, moisture, and debris are still sitting there.

Not ideal.

P.P.S. For many simple hot spots, black tea and aspirin applied four times daily for 3 to 5 days can make a big difference.

Hypochlorous acid, non-alcohol propolis spray, and witch hazel with aloe are also good topical options.

P.P.P.S. If your dog keeps getting hot spots, look deeper.

Moisture, mats, fleas, ticks, environmental allergies, and food allergies can all be part of the problem.

For ongoing support, I would especially look at omega-3 fatty acids and bioactive quercetin.