However, hot spots, or pyotraumatic dermatitis, is the result of scratching, licking, rubbing, or chewing. The
hot spot could occur on the face during an ear
infection because your pet is more likely to be scratching or rubbing at the ears, even if the infection is only on one side. As a side note, often times, what looks like only one infected ear, may be both. It is difficult to assess the horizontal canal of pets without a scope.