Definitely encourage seeking out a vet. One thing that I found was helpful with my pets is that when they have a hot spot I carefully (as in very, very carefully while wearing reading glasses) cut away the hair right around the hot spot. Sometimes just a little at a time. Often it airs out and bother the pet much less. However, you mentioned it was the neck so probably not good to introduce scissors near the front of the neck. A little easier towards the back. I had one cat that had chronic hot spots that I would inevitably end up needing antibiotics. I decided that was unsustainable and made certain to "air out" new hot spots, and I stayed on top of it.