Flea allergy is the most common feline allergic skin disorder, affecting cats with an abnormal sensitivity to saliva fleas inject into the skin when they bite. In reaction to fleabites, allergic cats will have inflammation and irritation of their skin -- not to mention intense itchiness. Hair loss and skin lesions can result when a cat scratches or bites its irritated skin. Several different skin lesions can result from the allergic reaction, but miliary dermatitis, which consists of raised bumps with a dried blood scab, is the most common lesion noted.
The problem may occur year-round in warm climates or in flea-infested indoor environments. In regions with cold winters the allergy will appear seasonally during the warm months of the year. Treatment of flea allergy requires eliminating the fleas from the cat, other pets, and the surroundings. Temporary relief of itching, using medications, is provided for severely affected cats until flea control is achieved.
It may be difficult to detect fleas on a cat, but brushing it over a white sheet may help: flea feces, a dark, black material, falling from the cat's fur onto the sheet would suggest the presence of fleas. A flea comb can also be used to look for the feces or the fleas themselves. Cats that are itching excessively should be examined often.
