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My dog keeps scratching a bloody scab on his head. What can I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | neutered | 8 years and 3 months old | 20 lbs

Is there anything I can give my dog to make him more comfortable? I can home from an overnight trip and he had a scab about the size of a dime on his head. The dog sitter did not mention it. Since then he has scratched it and made it so much worse. When he leaves it alone, it looks a lot better, but then he will like his back foot and start again and it gets bloody. It is not dripping. I wonder if he got bit by something. The 1st oic is yesterday. 2nd pic is today.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on August 12th, 2017

It is good that you have Harry wearing an e-collar to prevent further damage. It looks like he may have a hot spot. They can come up very quickly. To try at-home treatment, the first step is to clip the hair away from the skin so it will dry out, is easier to clean, and so you can monitor the progression. You need to use electric clippers, not scissors or a razor, to safely remove the hair. Second is to gently cleanse and disinfect the area. You can use a chlorhexidine wound scrub to gently scrub the wound, rinse thoroughly with water. It is important to keep this out of Harry's eyes as it is unsafe. Third is the treat the skin. You can use an ointment like neosporin or a medicated wipe like Dechra MalAcetic HC Wipes which is anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. If you do this at-home treatment for 48 hours and the skin appears worse, Harry seems painful, or there is excessive discharge, I recommend that Harry see a vet immediately. Other possible causes for his skin issue that are not a hot spot include fleas, mange, lice, infections (bacterial or yeast), ringworm, allergies, among others. Here is a good article about hot spots, including information on when at-home treatment can be tried: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2714

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    Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on

    Poor little Larry! I highly recommend you take him to your veterinarian. That lesion looks like either a hot spot with significant self-trauma from him scratching at it or some other type of trauma. Most of these lesions are usually infected and need clipping, cleaning, anti-inflammatory medications and antibiotics. Having that e-collar on is a great idea so keep up the good work! Good luck! He is adorable!

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