When hot spots strike, they can make your pup miserable - fast. These painful, itchy sores seem to pop up overnight and can quickly spiral if left untreated. The good news? Relief is within reach. Let’s walk through how you can help your dog feel better quickly and get back to tail wags and belly rubs in no time.
What Are Hot Spots?
Hot spots - also known as acute moist dermatitis - are painful, red, inflamed lesions that appear suddenly on dogs. They often begin small but can rapidly enlarge and become moist, oozing, and crusted due to constant licking, biting, or scratching. Typically found on the head, neck, hips, or limbs, hot spots develop most quickly in the summer months, especially when thick fur traps moisture and heat.
Why Dogs Get Hot Spots (and Why They Escalate Fast)
Several factors can trigger hot spots:
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Behind the itch: Fleas, ticks, allergies (food/environmental), ear infections - even anal glands - can instigate itching, leading to trauma and infection.
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Coat & moisture issues: Thick coats that are wet after swimming, rain, or grooming hold heat and bacteria, creating the ideal breeding ground for hot spots.
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Breed susceptibility: Golden Retrievers, Labs, German Shepherds, Saint Bernards, and other thick-coated or floppy-eared breeds are more prone to hot spots.
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Stress & boredom: Behavioral issues like anxiety or boredom can trigger excessive licking and chewing.
Recognizing Hot Spot Symptoms
If your dog is showing any of the following, act fast:
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Red, inflamed, warm, shiny or oozing spots.
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Bald patches forming under fur.
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Pus, crusting, or a foul odor.
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Frequent licking, chewing, or scratching at the site
Relief Routine: Step‑by‑Step
This routine addresses inflammation, cleanses bacteria, stops itching, and supports recovery, with minimal fuss for you and maximum relief for your pup.
Step 1. Clean: earthbath Hot Spot Relief Shampoo
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Key ingredients: Organic aloe vera, organic tea tree oil, plus vitamins A, B, D & E.
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How it works: Lather it onto wet fur, concentrating on irritated areas. Leave it on for at least 90 seconds to let tea tree oil and aloe deeply soothe, cleanse, and begin easing inflammation.
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Why it matters: Cleansing removes debris, reduces bacterial load, and sets the stage for faster healing without stripping natural oils.
Step 2. Soothe: earthbath Hot Spot Relief Spray
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Key ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, organic aloe vera, organic tea tree oil, and vitamin E.
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How it works: After the shampoo rinse or between baths, spray directly on the hot spot until saturated. Use once or twice daily. The combo of oatmeal and aloe immediately calms itch and inflammation while tea tree helps fight microbes.
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Why it matters: Provides quick comfort, reduces scratching, and keeps the area moisturized, which is especially useful between full baths.
Step 3. Seal: earthbath Treatment Balm
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Key ingredients: Shea and cocoa butter, organic aloe, tea tree & eucalyptus oils, vitamin E, almond, jojoba & grapeseed oils.
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How it works: Apply directly to the hot spot after it's clean and dry. Use twice daily or more.
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Why it matters: The balm forms a breathable barrier that locks in moisture while healing botanicals soothe hot spots and help prevent reinfection.
Pro Tips for Maximum Effectiveness
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Trim around hot spots before applying products to enhance absorption and cleaning.
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Use a cone collar if needed to prevent licking off treatments too soon.
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Monitor progress daily, spots should start improving within 3-4 days, with full healing within 7-10 days.
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Vet check for persistent or severe cases, especially if hot spots spread or worsen.
Hot spots can be tough, but you and your pup don’t have to face them alone. With a little extra care and the soothing power of earthbath's Hot Spot Collection, you can bring fast comfort right when your dog needs it most.
