Moist dermatitis (commonly referred to as a hot spot) is a circular, red, oozing area on your pet’s skin. It often appears unexpectedly, although often owners will notice that their pet has been scratching or licking at certain areas of their body recently. Hot spots occur due to an underlying issue that leads to inflammation in the skin (dermatitis).
Common issues include fleas, allergies, irritants (such as certain household cleaners), and foreign bodies (objects that migrate under the skin like grass awns or splinters). Hot spots seem to occur more often in hot, humid environments and in pets with thicker coats. Diagnosis of a hot spot can be made by physical examination. Veterinarians will often analyze the hot spot
area and run tests on the skin to determine if bacteria or yeast are present. Since hot spots occur as a result of an underlying issue, the primary cause may need to be identified in order to help prevent another hot spot from occurring; this can include allergy testing , starting a special diet (in the case of food allergies), or surgical exploration of the hot spot to determine if any foreign bodies are present.
If your pet was diagnosed with moist dermatitis, your veterinarian may have shaved the area and applied a topical medication to help soothe the irritation. Shaving the area allows for better air flow to the wound and aids in healing. Hot spots are often infected so medication to clear up the infection as well as medication to help with the inflammation and discomfort may also have been prescribed. Some pets will need to wear an e-collar (cone) if they continue to lick or chew the area, preventing or slowing down the healing process. Be sure to call your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns.
Source: Holm K. Acute moist dermatitis. Vin Associate. http://www.vin.com/Members/Associate/Associate.plx?from=GetDzInfo&DiseaseId=3007. Updated February 7, 2009. Accessed May 1, 2017.
