Dermatitis in dogs is a condition which causes inflammation and irritation of the skin. The most common causes of dermatitis in dogs are due to flea bite allergies, food allergies, and reactions to allergens in the environment. Dermatitis may also be a symptom of an underlying health problem. Certain dog breeds can be more predisposed to developing dermatitis conditions than others.
"Hot spots" are localized skin infections that are usually caused by a bacterium called Staphylococcus intermedius, although other bacteria can be involved.