
Remedy for hot spots - apply dry tinea powder twice a day, stops the' itching, kills the bacteria, and heals within 2-3 days.
Epsom Salts, Povidone Iodine, Flea Control
Turns out that all the things I was doing to treat Max (tea tree and lavender oil, cayenne, ACV, etc.) made the hotspot much worse -- poor guy! Mea culpa! In fact, the hotspot turned into a bad staph infection and I had to treat it with antibiotics. My holistic vet told me to keep the area shaved and next time, to use a solution of epsom salts dissolved in water with a drop of Povidone iodine by holding a soaked piece of gauze to the area. I also have to keep Max on flea control year round since hotspots are most likely caused by flea bites. 3 months of Advantage, then 3 months of Frontline, back and forth, since fleas become "immune" to one brand if you use it too long. If the hotspot was not caused by an allergy, the vet told me, it's possible his hips are painful and he is biting that area to get at the pain.

Max hasn't had a hotspot in months. I am assuming now it is because he has constant flea control (Frontline 3 months, Advantage 3 months) and because the weather in very, very dry. No rain in Georgia for a long time now. When I lived in Los Angeles, his hotspots similarly happened during the rainy season starting January. The epsom salts and povidone iodine worked great though, I have to say.
Epsom Salts, Povidone Iodine, Flea Control
I'm curious what type of dog Deidra has. I have two full blooded black labs, brother and sister, a half black lab, 1/4 blue heeler, 1/4 australian shepard, and a 1/2 newfouldland a 1/2 great pyrenees. One of my full blooded black labs, Belle, has come down with horrible hot spots, I thought it was from fleas, which we have shampooed her for and treated with frontline, and spray, she loves to swim in our in ground pool so I worry it is washing off , we also have horses and it's almost impossible to keep her out of their watering trough. I am desperate to get him some relief, so I coated her in babyoil and put her back to bed. all four dogs stay in the pasture all day with our horsres and then come in at night to our basement where it is always 70 degrees year round. i keep there bedding clean and washed so not to have any flea problems. Just Belle has the hot spots, Max(her brother), Rocky and Mapalo are fine.
Epsom Salts, Povidone Iodine, Flea Control
PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS IN USING TEA TREE OIL ON PETS*** While tea tree oil has many desirable qualities, it can be highly TOXIC to pets, particularly cats and birds. Do your research first. Don't assume it won't be harmful to your dog.
Cayenne Pepper

Have you tried cayenne and salt on the hot spots? Never had one with the problem, but from what I understand it is an infection, or gets to be one, with bacteria and puss. The cayenne should heal it and take away any pain, so he doesn't play with it, and the heat would probably stop him from licking it, except for a chihuahua.)) I put it on cold sores as soon as they show, and it seems to stop them from continuing. It should if they contain a virus.
Melagel

A Melalucca product called Melagel, stops hot spots almost immediately, scabbed over by next day and healing. Trimming hair around spot is necessary to create Like a "fire break" if you will, then I apply some Melagel 2 or 3 times in a day, by the next day, the spot has scabbed over and it soon starts healing. Amazing stuff!
Where can I buy Melagel? Pharmacy or health Food Store?
EC: Here it is on the company's website: http://www.melaleuca.com/ps/index.cfm?f=ps.contentPage&sCatID=100275
Melagel
Regarding Melagel - it's great for people too! In order to shop direct from Melaleuca you need to be referred by an existing customer. I'd be happy to refer you and give you additional information on all the amazing healthy products (at wholesale prices) they have.Contact me at [email protected] for more information. Thanks Yvonne
Burrows Solution

Our yellow lab gets hot spots every year. Normally she has been taken to the vet for corticosteroid shots and benadryl orally. It always comes back. This year I bought hair trimmers, trimmed the areas and made a mixture of burrow's solution - DOMMEBORO, available at drug stores (mix 1 package with 10 ounces of water) and about 10 drops of tea tree oil. I placed this mixture in a spray bottle and sprayed the areas twice a day (morning and evening). In about 4-5 days the black 'scabs' began to fall off revealing healthy skin underneath. I continued to spray the area until all traces of the hot spots were gone.

After trying so many things for my Lab's hot spot this year, burrows solution was the best. I agree!!