Treating Hot Spots
"Hot Spots" are probably the most common and frustrating temporary health problems in Chow Chows.
They can appear overnight, growing from a tiny spot into a huge, hot, angry, oozing sore.
Chows are their own worst enemies when it comes to hot spots. The sores hurt and itch and the Chow tries to relieve the pain by chewing at himself which only makes the hot spot worse!
What exactly causes hot spots isn't known for sure but many things contribute to them. Soap left in the coat after the bath is a leading culprit along with flea infestations, bug bites, wounds, allergies, hormone disorders, a bitch being in season and Stress. If your Chow breaks out shortly after a bath, you can suspect you didn't rinse or dry him well enough. Another bath with a more thorough rinsing will be necessary. A Chow that's allergic to fleas will fly into a coat-chewing frenzy over just one flea/bug bite.
Minor skin irritations and insect bites are high on the hot spot list, too.
Chows are funny creatures - they ignore big hurts to the point of not letting you know when they don't feel well but they are easily upset by small hurts like insect bites.
Allergies usually appear after puppyhood and are more prevalent in the summer months. Hormone disorders like thyroid deficiency also usually appear after puppyhood.
These are year-round conditions.
The key to controlling and clearing up a hot spot is to relieve the itching and restraining the Chow from chewing on himself. Medication applied to the skin is very helpful. There are several steroid based creams you can get by presciption from your vets. Over the counter medications are also available at pharmacies such as Sudo cream or Germoline. In severe cases, the veterinarian may choose to give an injection of anti-inflammatory steroids to reduce the irritation and the dog's sensitivity to allergens. You Should clip the affected area so that the air can get to it and Dry it out. I can then be very easily cleaned twice a day with either a warm salt bath or with hubby scrub. using a rolled collar or cone for 5 days helps the dog to get over the worst of the itching and allow it to begin healing. 
Most Chows get at least a couple hot spots at some point in their lives. If your Chow is having chronic problems with hot spots, hair loss or other skin troubles, you should suspect a deeper cause such as allergies or homone disorders. See your veterinarian for an examination and treatment, although looking closely at your dogs diet may help enormously also.