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Why is my dog's skin breaking out with sores, bumps, and hair loss?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Pit Bull Terrier | Female | unspayed | 2 years and 2 months old | 35 lbs

My dogs skin is breaking out. She’s getting sores/bumps under her skin. When she scratches them they scab and leave what Looks like deep digs in her skin. It will heel but she looses her hair there. It’s stsrtibg to spread more as she continues to lick. It was in a controlled area but then we start to see random ones coming up in other places. Is it a baterical infenction or allergy break out?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

Veterinarian

Published on December 17th, 2018

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If this is the first time this has occurred, it may a bacterial infection. If this appears at certain times of year, it could be related to a seasonal allergy. If this has been a chronic issue and does not seem to worsen during a particular time of year, it may be due to a food allergy. Another possibilities may be a parasitic infection of the skin such as mites. I would recommend Frankie see her veterinarian soon for a work up on this skin issue. Her veterinarian may start with a skin scraping to check for parasites and may place Frankie on antibiotics or other medications such as antihistamines or other drugs to help get the inflammation down and help the skin to heal. Food trials or allergy testing may be recommended later by your veterinarian depending on whether your vet thinks it is related to an allergy. I hope this helps!

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