hot spots!

Question
I Have a 2 yo male, he frequently have hot spots, i asked the vet , and she said, it's normal, and gave him benadryl, but i don't want to have to leave on medication, is anything i should've know, or do to minimize his hot spots?

Answer
There are various reasons and types of hot spots, so the answer to this question varies.  If your boy is in a longer coat I recommend cutting him down to at least 1 inch so that the hot spots will be able to be treated and moisture will not accumulate (a reason for hot spots) a topical ointment neosporin and a medicated powder to help dry them up.  You can give him children's liquid benadryl 1tsp per 10lb of body weight (follow directions on box for # times per day) this will keep him from scratching the areas and also keep him from being stressed (another reason for hot spots).  If the hot spots are oozing and look like pimples and are spreading or if he is having hair loss and you see them on his under side as well this is a bacterial or viral infection and he will need to be treated with antibiotic.  Limit bathing him to once every 2-3 weeks and make sure he is dried completely.  Another reason for hot spots is allergies (fleas is the number one cause, food additives is number 2), another cause is dry skin and not enough omega or fatty acid so you can and should in any of the above cases purchase from your (walmart, cvs, walgreens, eckards) fish oil or cod liver oil capsules and pop them open and squirt them into his food.  Also when you do bathe him use a medicated shampoo and oatmeal or moisturizing conditioner and be sure to wash them out then take use one cap of apple cider vinegar to one quart warm water. A vinegar rinse removes shampoo, conditioner and deodorizes the coat.
Also, I don't know if your boy is neutered or not but, I can tell you that I have found this condition to be hereditary and also hormonal in females during heat cycles.  If I have females who show sign of this during heat cycles or who have the condition of yeast infection hot spots I have them spayed and do not use them in a breeding program.  This can cause problems during whelping and problems to the unborn puppies.  Well I hope this helps I know it is a lot to absorb.  I tried the hydrocortisone spray (it works for like 5 minutes) so you have to continually spray it.  The best is the children's benadryl to give them relief from the itching.  Then figure out exactly which other protocol you think you want to try and go for it.  Good Luck and let me know.