The constant moisture and trauma break the skin barrier, creating the perfect environment for bacteria and yeast that normally live on the surface to overgrow and cause infection. Any minor injury, abrasion, or even excessive licking from a surgical incision can evolve into a hot spot if the healing process is disturbed by continued licking.
How Stress and Anxiety Lead to Hot Spots on Your Pet's Skin
The damaged skin becomes infected, and the infection creates more itch and pain, prompting even more scratching. Other skin parasites, such as mites, can also burrow into the skin and provoke a severe inflammatory response that manifests as a hot spot.
Parasites, particularly fleas, are a major culprit; a single flea bite on a sensitive animal can create an unbearable itch that leads to frantic scratching. Understanding what are hot spots caused by begins with recognizing that they are not a specific disease, but rather a clinical sign of an underlying issue.
Hot Spots Triggered by Stress and Anxiety
Animals with long hair or heavy mats, especially around the ears, neck, or hips, are at high risk. The initial trigger is often allergic dermatitis, which can stem from environmental allergens like pollen and dust mites, or from food sensitivities.
More About What are hot spots caused by
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