Symptom guide · Itchy Skin & Allergies
Broken, raw or oozing skin
Skin the scratching has already damaged, which changes this from an itch problem to a wound problem.
Short answer: Broken, raw or oozing skin in dogs and cats is a veterinary job first. Natural care is supportive at most here (Hepar sulphuris, Calendula officinalis and Apis mellifica) and should not delay an appointment. Pus, a foul smell, or a fever means see a vet. This is very likely an infection that needs antibiotics.
Our honest read: this one is a veterinary job first. Anything below is supportive at best, and it should not delay an appointment.
What this tends to look like
- Skin is broken, raw, weeping or scabbed
- One or two well-defined spots, often warm and painful
- Hair loss over the area, sometimes a moist surface underneath
- May have appeared very fast, within a day
- Your pet resents the area being touched
What is usually going on
Once skin is broken the original itch is no longer the main problem. Damaged skin gets infected, infection itches more, and the animal keeps the cycle going. In dogs this frequently becomes what is called a hot spot, which is painful, spreads quickly, and typically needs clipping, cleaning and often prescription treatment. Natural care has a supporting role here at best.
What people commonly use
Educational information only — not veterinary advice. Check with your vet before starting anything new.
Hepar sulphuris
HomeopathicFor angry, infected, pus-y spots.
- Abscesses & infected wounds
- Painful, sensitive hot spots
- Helps ripen and drain
Calendula officinalis
HomeopathicNature’s wound healer for skin & scrapes.
- Cuts, grazes & minor wounds
- Supports clean healing
- Soothes raw, irritated skin
Apis mellifica
HomeopathicFor hot, puffy, sudden swellings.
- Insect bites & stings
- Hives / raised welts
- Red, swollen, itchy skin
Where to find them
Sold by third-party retailers. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
What you can do at home
- Stop the self-trauma first. Nothing you apply will outpace continued scratching or licking
- Keep the area clean and dry. Moisture under matted hair is what lets these spread
- Do not use hydrogen peroxide or human antiseptic creams, which damage healing tissue and can be toxic if licked
- Clip surrounding hair only if you can do it without causing pain or nicking the skin
When to stop and call your vet
- Pus, a foul smell, or a fever means see a vet. This is very likely an infection that needs antibiotics
- The spot is enlarging day to day
- Your pet is in obvious pain or will not let you near it
- Multiple spots appearing in different places
Not quite what you are seeing?
These are the other patterns we cover for itchy skin & allergies.
- Seasonal, environmental itchingItching that follows the calendar and concentrates on paws, face and belly.
- Flea-bite itchingItching concentrated over the rump and tail base, with fleas present or unconfirmed.
- Dry, flaky, year-round itchingDull coat, visible flakes, and a mild constant itch that does not follow the seasons.
- A sudden red, hot, swollen flareSkin that came up quickly and is visibly red, warm and puffy to the touch.
Natural remedies for dog itchy skin & allergiesNatural remedies for cat itchy skin & allergies
Sources and further reading
Furemedy is written by a pet owner, not a veterinarian. The red flags on this page come from the independent professional sources below — check us against them.
- Allergies in DogsMerck Veterinary Manual
- Itching (Pruritus) in DogsMerck Veterinary Manual
- Allergies of CatsMerck Veterinary Manual
- Itching (Pruritus) in CatsMerck Veterinary Manual
- Animal Poison ControlASPCA
- Homeopathy: What You Need To KnowNIH NCCIH