Hot Spots - A Cure?

This article appeared in The Bernese Mountain Times (newsletter of The Potomac Valley BMDC), August 1996.

Most of us at one time or another have experienced "Acute Moist Dermatitis" on our dogs, AKA around the house as "Oh No! Another hot spot! Likewise, many of the remedies we have used don't work, and even when they do work, they don't the next time. Each dog is different; what works for one may not for another. In addition, how early the hot spot is caught and treated makes quite a difference. Should you see a wet clump of hairs on your dog's coat, check beneath for any reddening of the skin, which could be the beginning of a hotspot. He has been "working" on something! Below is a selection of remedies / cures / treatments garnered from dog friends, friends on the Internet, and my own past experience. It is hoped that these remedies will be of value should the occasion arise.

The major consensus of all who wrote is that the area involved should be cleaned with an antiseptic/antibacterial solution, the hairs clipped away from the area (most of which your dog will have done already) and also the hairs outside the affected area clipped/shaved to expose an area of clean skin around the spot. It is important that the dog not be allowed to get to the hot spot, so if, despite treatments of any kind, he is still be able to lick or chew it, put on an Elizabethan collar (he will get used to it) to prevent contact. It can truly mean the difference between healing and not healing.

Remedies, Cures and Treatments

1. Steep 2 tea bags in 1/2 cup of boiling water; add 1 cup of alcohol; dissolve 2 aspirin tablets in the solution; apply to the area with a cotton ball; let dry thoroughly. Apply 2 to 3 times a day as needed.

2. Hydrogen peroxide generously applied has proven helpful. Also use it as a wash twice a day and follow with Neopredef, or use to cleanse, then apply Camphopenique, let that dry, and apply ointment.

3. Full-strength Clorox applied with a cotton ball works well in the initial stage. Do not use if skin is broken.

4. Triple antibiotic ointment

5. Cornstarch

6. Caldesene or Gold Bond Medicated Powder

7. Bag Balm

8. Dombro's Solution (a powder available in pharmacies, dissolved in water)

9. Pet Relief (Spray on, wait 30 minutes, then finish with a blow dryer set on air.)

10. Kelp in the diet if the dog is hot spot disposed

11. Preparation H spread over the area

12. Tea tree oil

13. Calendula tincture

14. Baking soda sprinkled on the area

15. Natural ointment composed of calendula, comfrey, vitamin E,beeswax, and olive oil

16. Natural herbal shampoo containing eucalyptus oil, for relief of itching

17. Benadryl spray

18. Gentocin spray, a combination of antibiotic and cortisone

19. Schreiner's Healing Liniment containing aloe vera, comfrey, and other medicinal herbs

20. Witch hazel astringent for cleansing

21. Benzoyl peroxide shampoo (Pyoben), then daily Chlorhexldine or benzoyl peroxide washes For extremely itchy hot spots, a veterinarian may inject cortisone.