hey...
I dont know if this will help,but reading your thread made me think of something i have seen before very similar to what you are describing on Solo's ears.
We had a toy poodle,and he was plagued with Red Hot spots on his body,we tried like you a variety of creams/lotions and although temp relief was given it didnt clear up.However our vets did prescibe antibiotics and with detirminaton it did go.......THE thing that caught my eye though on your thread was the 'LUMPS WITH PUSS'....
Are they white?..with maybe a yellow centre?...cause if they are i have seen these too...and all over the body....Christie and Jake both had a problem with these and the vet tried everything and tested for allsorts even ringworm ....They eventually put it down to being a virus of somesort that had been triggered of all things..a christmas tree!,and its sap!
I would definatley go to your vets with solo and 'dig your heels in' if he isnt sure what the problem is,tell him to find out
Hope you find a solution and good luck