With their goofy smushed faces, sturdy build, and unmatchable personalities, it’s no wonder French Bulldogs have won their way into millions of hearts and homes. But as many French Bulldog owners have discovered since falling for the breed’s…ahem…unique look, there is a downside, and that’s the health problems these pudgy little charmers are susceptible to.
If you’re searching for a solution to French Bulldog skin bumps, itching, hot spots, or other common skin problems, you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about skin problems in French Bulldogs, and how to treat and prevent these conditions in your pooch.
5 Most Common Skin Problems in French Bulldogs
As the proud owner of a Frenchie, you may know that skin problems are one of the most common issues your pup is likely to suffer from. Let’s take a closer look at the causes, symptoms, and treatments for French Bulldog skin bumps, skin allergies, inflammation, and other problems so you can discover what might be dogging your pooch.
#1 Skin Fold Dermatitis
While those adorable skin folds are one of the most distinctive and lovable features of your French Bulldog’s appearance, they can also lead to a particular skin problem common to wrinkly dog breeds. Skin folds can:
- Harbor moisture
- Build up heat
- Cause chafing
These factors are a perfect recipe for a type of inflammation called skin fold dermatitis. Symptoms of skin fold dermatitis typically include redness, moisture, and pain in and around the skin folds.1
Facial folds aren’t the only areas to keep an eye on. Other areas where dogs commonly develop skin fold dermatitis include:
- Tail fold
- Between toes and paw pads
- Armpits
- Groin area
- Ear folds
Treatment for Skin Fold Dermatitis
Fortunately, you can keep your pup’s skin feeling its best. The key to treating skin fold dermatitis includes:
- Reducing inflammation
- Clearing any current infection
- Keeping the skin clean and dry
Your vet will prescribe medications to resolve any infection already present. If necessary, topical or oral steroids can help with itching and irritation. Removing bacterial overgrowth by cleaning skin folds regularly with a pet-safe antimicrobial product like 1Vetericyn Plus® Antimicrobial Hydrogel is crucial.
Long-term, one of the best ways you can manage and prevent future outbreaks of skin fold dermatitis is to keep your Frenchie at a healthy weight. Obesity can create even more excess tissue that worsens skin fold-related problems.
#2 Pyoderma
Pyoderma is a bacterial skin infection similar to skin fold dermatitis. It can occur anywhere on the skin, but in French Bulldogs it’s especially common in the moist, warm environment formed by the skin folds.
Symptoms of pyoderma include red, raised pustules that resemble pimples in humans. You may also notice itching, flaky or crusty skin, and hair loss. Moisture on the skin and a musty odor around affected skin folds is also a common symptom.
Treatment for Pyoderma
Your vet will need to prescribe a course of antibiotics to clear up the infection. They may also recommend antihistamines, or steroids if a skin allergy is suspected.
At home, be sure to:2
- Clean skin regularly – Use topical treatments like medicated shampoos and antimicrobial sprays, such as Vetericyn FoamCare® Medicated Pet Shampoo to treat the skin issue.
- Keep bedding clean – Your pup’s bedding should be well padded and kept clean and dry at all times. Dirty, damp bedding can harbor bacteria and cause skin irritation.
#3 Hot Spots
Hot spots are a common skin condition in all dogs (heads-up if you’re also a cat owner: cats frequently suffer from hot spots too). They’re also known as acute moist dermatitis, and they can be a painful problem. Hot spots can develop quickly and without warning, especially in hot weather.
Some signs you may be dealing with hot spots include:
- Irritation that starts as a small, red skin bump similar to an insect bite
- Rapid spreading that turns into red, painful, oozing sores
- Swelling and hair loss in the affected area
Veterinary Treatment for Hot Spots
A vet visit is a good idea for hot spots since the problem can get worse without proper care. If the skin has become infected, your pup needs prescription meds to clear it up.
Your vet will examine your dog to look for signs of the underlying cause. A skin scrape may be needed to check for parasites. Your vet may prescribe treatments such as:4
- Antibiotics to treat infection
- Steroids to ease itching and inflammation
- Allergy medication if an allergen is the root cause
- A pet-safe antiseptic to clean the irritated skin
- A cone to prevent scratching while the area heals, depending on the location of the hot spot
Home Care for Hot Spots
Hot spots begin when your dog scratches, licks, or chews excessively on an itchy patch of skin. The trauma caused by this opens the sensitive skin to inflammation and bacterial infection. The infection results in more itching, which leads to a cycle of irritation, itching, and scratching. A pet-safe spray like Vetericyn Plus® Antimicrobial Hot Spot Spray can provide quick relief to stop the cycle.
If possible, you should try to discover and eliminate the original cause of the itching. Common culprits include:
- Food allergies
- Fleas and other insect bites
- Moisture trapped on the skin (often in skin folds)
- Stress and boredom
- Dirty, matted fur
- Ear infections
- Underlying skin conditions such as infections or atopic dermatitis
#4 Canine Acne
Yes, our canine friends can suffer from acne too! French Bulldogs are one of the breeds most likely to have this type of skin inflammation.
In dogs, acne appears on the soft skin around the lips and muzzle. You may notice red bumps and pimples on the surface of your dog’s skin.4
Veterinary Treatment for Canine Acne
Just like human acne, canine acne is often treated with a skin ointment containing benzoyl peroxide. Your vet may also prescribe other treatments such as oral or topical steroids. If the broken skin has become infected, treatment with an antibiotic may also be necessary.
Home Care for Canine Acne
There are some steps you can take to prevent acne outbreaks or prevent them from getting worse. Be sure you:
- Avoid popping or squeezing the pimples, as this could spread the infection
- Eliminate irritants to the skin around the muzzle, like rooting in dirt or excessive face scratching
#5 Contact Dermatitis
Many dogs will suffer from contact dermatitis at some point in their lives. This is a broad term for skin inflammation caused by contact with an allergen or irritant.
French Bulldog skin bumps, redness, swelling, and itching can be signs of contact dermatitis, especially on parts of the body that touch the ground most, like the belly, hind end, tail, toe pads, and so on.
Common causes of contact dermatitis in dogs include:5
- Detergents
- Toxic plants like poison oak or ivy
- Road salt
- Fertilizers
- Weed killers
- Pesticides
- Certain landscape mulches like cedar chips
- Heat and sun
- Flea collars
Home Care for Contact Dermatitis
For inflamed or irritated skin that isn’t severe enough to bother your dog, you can try caring for the inflammation at home and see if it clears up after a few days.
- Clean the area – Wash the affected area gently to soothe the skin and remove any irritant that might be left on the skin.
- Use a hypoallergenic medicated shampoo – Choose a shampoo specifically made for pets, such as Vetericyn’s FoamCare® Medicated Pet Shampoo. This formulation relieves itching, hot spots, dermatitis, and other dermatological problems and is recommended for dogs with sensitive skin. The shampoo also strengthens your dog’s immune system to prevent future outbreaks.
Veterinary Treatment for Contact Dermatitis
If the rash is severe or doesn’t clear up on its own after several days, a visit to your vet is in order. They may want to perform a bacterial culture to determine if an infection is causing the rash or perform other tests such as a patch test to narrow down the culprit.
What Causes French Bulldog Skin Problems?
According to the American Kennel Club, as of 2021, French Bulldogs were the second most popular breed of dog in the US, ranking only behind Labrador Retrievers.6 But that kind of pup-ularity isn’t necessarily the best thing for a breed’s health. With the high demand for French Bulldog pups, irresponsible breeding can cause serious French Bulldog health issues.
Over time, overbreeding leads to a variety of health conditions. Skin problems are just one of the skin issues that French Bulldogs are especially likely to suffer from. Other issues common in French Bulldogs include:
- Eye and ear infections
- Breathing problems
- Respiratory distress
- Heat intolerance
- Frequent vomiting
- Spinal deformities
- Nerve pain
- Yeast infection
What does this mean for you as a Frenchie owner? For one thing, you should be aware that some skin problems may be unavoidable even with the best care due to your dog’s genetics. But there are preventative steps you can take, such as:
- Keeping your pup in peak condition with plenty of exercise
- Avoiding overfeeding your pup as excess weight can worsen skin conditions
- Keeping the skin clean and dry with antimicrobial shampoo and spray
- Providing nutritional supplements like Vetericyn® ALL-IN Dog Supplement to support skin health and immune function
Treat Your Pup’s Skin Right With Vetericyn
Your Frenchie brings you joy, love, and companionship every day, and we know you want to do everything you can to keep your buddy happy and healthy for as long as possible. While some skin problems may require help from your vet, there are many steps you can take at home to care for your dog’s skin health.
With the help of supplements, medicated shampoo, hot spot gel, and hydrogels from Vetericyn, your pup will be feeling and looking their best in no time. Our full product line is available through all your favorite online retailers, like Amazon, Chewy, and Petco, making shopping for Fido from home a snap.
Treat your best friend to the best quality care with Vetericyn.
Reviewed by Dan Richardson, Veterinarian
Dan Richardson has been a practicing veterinarian for over 10 years. He specializes in surgery and orthopedics. Dan is originally from rural western Nevada and attended the University of Idaho for undergraduate study and Oregon State University for Veterinary School. The Richardson Family enjoys camping and spending time on the water fishing, paddle boarding, or digging their feet in the sand somewhere warm.
Sources:
- Today’s Veterinary Practice. Skin fold dermatitis (intertrigo) in dogs. https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/dermatology/skin-fold-dermatitis-intertrigo-in-dogs/
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Pyoderma in dogs. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/pyoderma-in-dogs
- American Kennel Club. Treating and preventing hot spots in dogs. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/treating-and-preventing-hot-spots-on-dogs/
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Acne in dogs. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/acne-in-dogs
- PetMD. Skin rash due to contact with irritants in dogs. https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/c_multi_contact_dermatitis
- American Kennel Club. Most popular dog breeds of 2021. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/most-popular-dog-breeds-of-2021/
