I have been watching this thread.
My GSD occasionally gets hot spots.
Usually they do flair up with foods he eats and he gets ear infections... mostly yeast type.
I found a great solution that seems to keep the ear infections at bay, unless my hubby or the kids give him breads or sweets. It is called Zymotic Enzymatic Solution.
Another thing I do is put plain old cornstarch onto his hot spot the minutes he starts at it. It helps dry out the weeping and seems to help with the itching/healing time.
Good luck to your little buddy!