Crusty scabs on your cat's skin or chin
Miliary eczema
w90% of cats with crusts felt over their back and around their neck will be suffering from an allergy to fleas.
wJust one flea is needed to set it off if a cat is allergic to the saliva of the flea, so you may not even see the flea or evidence of any flea dirt. We call these crusty scabs miliary eczema as they feel like millet seeds.
wI have had clients tell me that their cat was involved in a fight as he is all crusty, but fighting tends to result in abscess type wounds which are swollen areas usually around the face and tend to feel fluid-filled.
wIt is actually the cat that causes its own dermatitis as they are itchy and they tend to overgroom. This unbalances the sensitive bacterial balance on the skin resulting in a secondary skin infection. If you have felt the roughness of a cat’s spiky tongue, you will also realise the mechanical damage it does with overgrooming.
wThey may also appear quite bald over their backs and suffer from a few more furballs being retched up around the house.
wOther less common causes of skin allergies include food, dust mite and inhaled pollen to name a few.
wSome cats may convert this overgrooming into a behavioural problem. There is apparently a huge endorphin release with grooming and if your cat is of a nervous nature or there is something that is really stressing it (a new cat in the neighbourhood, building work etc), they may become addicted to this endorphin release and a vicious cycle ensues.
Feline Acne
wJust as we would get hormonal areas of red spots on our face, so too can your cat suffer with this complaint. Their chin may appear inflamed and painful to the touch.
wWe call this condition feline acne and it can be due to blocked pores just as we would get.
Feline eosinophilic granuloma complex
wIf your cat has begun to overgroom fastidiously with resulting red, raw areas of skin and fur loss, we call this feline eosinophilic granuloma complex.
wIt can be due to a behavioural problem as mentioned above but rather than having small crusty scabs, there are large wet, sore areas. It is very common and very distressing to both pet and owner.
wLarge sore areas may also appear under your pet's chin or small swollen, red areas on their lips. These all belong to the same complex and are caused by an allergy which turns into behavioural overgrooming.
wIf all mucus membranes are affected ie lips, rectum, vulva/penis or possibly even gums, this can be due to an immune-mediated condition where the body fights its own cells.
wTreatment involves use of cortisone which may have to be given indefinitely.
wCrusty scabs over your cat are therefore a sign of an allergy and there are various treatments available.
Treatment of crusty scabs on your cat's skin or chin
For a range of practical treatments at home for your cat's skin conditions as well as honest advice for most cat ailments that can be safely treated without a trip to the vet, click on my e-book below.
Return to cat health
