Hot spots can be healed at home, most of the time. You could also go to the vet and spend lots of money, or you can try to heal them at home, which is what we always recommend first.
Hot spots are also referred to as acute moist dermatitis that are characterized by red, inflamed, painful and itchy skin sores that often stem from excessive licking, chewing or scratching. Usually hot spots are triggered by fleas, food, environmental allergies, inflammation, parasites or a build-up of moisture that can lead to major discomfort and oozing. The good news is, hot spots can be healed at home.
Typical hot spot treatment involves stopping the itch/lick cycle with antiseptics like chlorhexidine, and topical steroids and or antibiotic creams. Skin conditions like hot stops are never just skin conditions: there is always an underlying cause or imbalance that is the culprit. The hot spot is just a symptom of whatever the underlying problem is and by just treating the symptom, without treating the root cause, the hot spot will just keep coming back.
Internal Hotspot Treatment: Diet
If your dog's hot spots are triggered by fleas, food, environmental allergies, inflammation, parasites or a build-up of moisture, the best approach is strengthening their immune system and digestive system with diet. Swapping out kibble for raw, dehydrated raw or home-cooked will help to strengthen their immune and digestive systems.
- Focus on a natural, fresh, hydrated diet packed with healthy macro and micro nutrients such as proteins, fats, healthy / low-glycemic carbs, vitamins and minerals. You can check out our whitefish detox diet here, which is perfect for dogs with hotspots.
- Incorporate inflammation-reducing supplements including ginger, turmeric and golden paste.
- Include digestive enzymes, probiotics and colostrum as well as pre biotic food such as apples, asparagus, yogurt and kefir to help rebalance their gut microbiome.
- Add cod liver oil to their diet to reduce inflammation, support heart health, brain function, bone health, immune health, skin health and mood.
Internal Hot Spot Treatment: Homeopathy
Homeopathy is extremely effective, gentle and can be used to treat conditions without side effects. It is an unorthodox system of diagnosing and treating symptoms that was created in Germany by Dr. Samuel Hanhemann and is based on two principals in the 18th century.
- Like Cures Like: Idea that disease can be cured by a substance that causes similar symptoms in healthy people
- Law of Minimum of Dose: Idea that the lower the dose of the medication, the great its effectiveness
Homeopathic products are made from plants, minerals or animals and are made int ointments, gels, drops, creams and tablets. Remedies are extremely affordable and can be found at many health food stores, Whole Foods and on Amazon. We recommend the following for hotspots:
- Hepar sulphuris calcareum (200C): Ideal for painful, infected spots, particularly those with pus or a strong odor.
- Arnica Montana (200C) / Belladonna (200C): Recommended for the initial stage of a hot spot to manage pain, heat, and rapid inflammation.
- Apis mellifica (200C): Suitable for swollen, hot, and, angry-looking spots that feel better with cold.
- Rhus toxicodendron (30C): Used for extremely red, irritated, and itchy skin
To administer the remedies, place 3-5 pellets underneath your dog’s tongue or inside his/her cheeks several before or after eating. Watch carefully and observe changes for several hours. Repeat once daily for 3 days. If you don’t see an improvement, change remedies. Wait at least 3 days prior to administering a new remedy to address a different set of symptoms.Once you identify the appropriate remedy and potency, continue to administer for 3 days. Note changes as you see them. Hot spots can be healed at home.
External Hot Spot Treatment
To help with hot spots, you should make a charcoal/activated charcoal power paste. Make an then apply a mixture of activated charcoal powder, betonite clay and filtered water or apple cider vinegar. You mix equal parts of activated charcoal and bentonite clay and 2x time the amount of filtered water or apple cider vinegar to make a "paste" like texture. In other words, take 1 tablespoon each of activated charcoal and bentonite clay and mix with 2 tablespoons of filtered water or apple cider vinegar. You can make more or less as needed. I like to make this in bulk to have on hand when needed. Next, apply the paste to the cyst and wait 20 minutes to take it off with a warm compress. Warning: this can be messy so removing in a bathroom or outside is ideal. This paste naturally draws out toxins and detoxifies the skin. If your dog has a severe case, applying 3x per day is recommended. Hot spots can be healed at home.
In our experience, the activated charcoal/bentonite clay paste is typically so effective that cutting or shaving the surrounding fur unnecessary. However, if you find it easier to apply the paste to the skin directly.
You don't have to spend a fortune at the vet because hot spots can be healed at home,
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