Treating Your Cat's Crusty Skin: What You Need To Know

cat crusty skin

Cats are susceptible to skin issues, and crusty skin can be a symptom of several conditions. It is important to determine the underlying cause so that appropriate treatment can begin. Causes of crusty skin in cats can range from minor issues, such as dry skin, to more serious concerns, like infections, autoimmune disorders, or allergies. A veterinarian will be able to diagnose the issue and recommend treatment options, which may include medication, special shampoos, or changes to the cat's environment or diet.

Characteristics Values
Cause Allergies, especially flea allergies; seborrhea (excessive production of sebum); yeast infections; autoimmune disorders; inadequate grooming; mange; ringworm; food allergies; environmental allergies; bacterial infections; hormonal imbalances; parasites; poor nutrition; stress; underlying disease; cancer; joint pain; dental disease; obesity; musculoskeletal disease; pain; arthritis
Symptoms Small or large flakes of skin; crusty or scaly skin; red or inflamed skin; itching; excessive licking or scratching; bleeding; bald patches; hair loss; scabbing; dandruff; crusty, irritated skin; crusty, darkened skin; small bumps; raw, ulcerated skin; hairless, itchy plaques; red, raised skin; open sores; change in skin colour (dark brown areas); itchy, inflamed ears
Treatment Allergy testing; medication to combat fleas, mites, lice, ticks, or other pests; steroids; antihistamines; antifungals; antibiotics; special shampoos; oral cyclosporine; topical steroid creams; elimination diets; prescription hypoallergenic diet; omega-3 fatty acid supplements; anti-seborrheic shampoos and topical treatments; immunotherapy; medication to suppress the immune system; chemotherapy; radiation treatment

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Allergic reactions

Symptoms of Allergic Reactions in Cats:

  • Itching and scratching
  • Excessive grooming
  • Hair loss, often on the neck, base of the tail, or groin
  • Crusts, scabs, or irritated skin
  • Ear infections
  • Ulcers and open sores
  • Bacterial and fungal infections

Identifying the Allergen:

  • Flea allergies are the most common type of cat skin allergy. Flea saliva contains antigens that trigger an immune response.
  • Food allergies are caused by an overreaction of the immune system to food proteins, typically chicken or beef.
  • Environmental allergies are associated with molds, pollens, dander, grasses, mites, and dust.
  • Contact allergies are less common due to a cat's fur and affect sparsely haired areas. These can be caused by reactions to detergents, dyes, shampoos, insecticides, or plants.

Treating Allergic Reactions in Cats:

  • Identify and remove the allergen from the cat's environment.
  • Topical treatments can be used to enhance the skin's barrier function against allergens, bacteria, and yeast.
  • Steroids, such as prednisolone, can help control itching and reduce the immune system's response to the allergen.
  • Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine, can help control itching, but effectiveness varies among cats.
  • Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) or allergy shots are effective long-term treatments for environmental allergies.
  • Fatty acid supplements, such as omega-3/fish oils, strengthen the skin barrier, reducing irritation, redness, and swelling.
  • Antibiotics and antifungals may be necessary to treat secondary bacterial and fungal infections.
  • Medicated shampoos or conditioners can help reduce the need for repeated antibiotic usage.
  • Recovery cones, T-shirts, or barrier methods can help prevent licking and scratching.
  • Frequent bathing with oatmeal baths or leave-on shampoos and conditioners can provide relief.
  • Strict flea control is essential for preventing and treating flea allergies.
  • For food allergies, a novel or hydrolyzed protein diet trial of at least 8 weeks is recommended to identify the offending food item.
  • Intradermal skin testing or serum IgE testing can help identify specific allergens but should not be solely relied upon for diagnosis.

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Parasites

There are three classes of parasites: ectoparasites (parasites that live on the cat), feline heartworm, and intestinal parasites.

Ectoparasites

The most common feline ectoparasite is the flea. Fleas can cause numerous symptoms in cats, including an itchy/scabby rash, crusty skin lesions, hair loss, overgrooming, and flea allergy dermatitis. They can also transmit many bacterial and parasitic diseases to cats, such as tapeworms, which are carried by fleas and ingested by cats when they groom. Severe flea infestations can lead to severe anemia and even death, especially in kittens.

Ticks are usually found on cats that go outside, but indoor cats can become infected if a tick is brought into the home on a person or another pet. Ticks carry many diseases that can affect cats, dogs, and people and are active throughout the year, so tick control should be used year-round.

Lice are commonly found on young, neglected cats and often go unnoticed. Large infestations can lead to scratching, restlessness, unusual coat appearance, and hair loss.

Heartworm

Cats are infected with heartworms when they are bitten by a mosquito carrying the disease. Heartworm disease is difficult to treat, and if a cat develops adult heartworms, treatment options are limited. Even if cats are infected with heartworm and do not develop adult heartworms, the initial infection can cause asthma-like symptoms (Heartworm Associated Respiratory Distress).

Intestinal Parasites

Intestinal parasites are very common, even in indoor cats. Often, you will not see the worms because cats are shedding microscopic eggs. Many of these parasites can be spread to people, especially children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Some of the most common intestinal parasites are roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, coccidia, and giardia.

Other Parasites

Skin and ear mites can also be found on cats. Ear mites are very common and can be spread to other pets in the house. Your cat may be excessively scratching its ears, and you may see a brown discharge in the ears. Skin mites are less common but can cause crusty lesions, itchiness, and hair loss. Some mites can be spread to people and cause an itchy rash.

Dracunculus insignis is a species of roundworm found mainly in the connective tissue beneath the host animal's legs. They are rare in cats but can infest raccoons, minks, and other animals in North America. These worms can produce skin ulcers on their hosts, and when the ulcers touch the water, the worms stick their heads out of the wounds to lay their long, thin-tailed larvae. The larvae then develop inside another host, the water flea. Cats can become infected by drinking contaminated water or eating an infected animal, such as a frog.

Prevention and Treatment

Most parasites can be prevented and treated, but it is important to be proactive. Oral and topical flea control treatments are readily available and very effective. Many of the same products used for flea control can also be used to treat and prevent mites and lice.

Fecal parasite screening is recommended annually for all cats, with more frequent screening for kittens and outdoor cats.

Heartworm disease is difficult to diagnose, so prevention is critical for all cats year-round. Once-a-month Revolution can protect your cat from heartworm disease and is also recommended if your cat has heartworm to help prevent re-infection.

If you suspect your cat has a parasitic infection, consult your veterinarian. Diagnosis can be made through examination of blood, feces, or urine, and treatment will depend on the type of parasite and the severity of the infestation.

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Infections

There are several possible causes of crusty skin in cats, many of which are related to infections.

Bacterial Infections

Bacterial skin infections often develop as a result of another skin problem. For example, feline acne can make a cat's hair follicles more vulnerable to infection, resulting in folliculitis. Bacterial infections are typically treated with antibiotics, but it's important to address any underlying skin conditions to prevent reoccurrence.

Yeast Infections

Yeast infections are caused by a fungus. They are more likely in cats that have other medical problems and are commonly found in the ear. Symptoms may include a black or yellow discharge, redness of the ear flap, and persistent scratching of the ear. Yeast infections are treated with antifungal medicine.

Ringworm

Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal infection that can spread to other pets in the home, as well as humans. It may cause circular lesions on a cat's head, ears, and forelimbs, as well as any other part of the body. The skin around these lesions is often flaky and bald. Treatment depends on severity but may include specialized shampoos, ointments, or oral medications.

Sporotrichosis

Sporotrichosis is a rare fungal infection that produces small, hard skin lesions that may leak fluid. It is considered a public health concern as it is known to spread from cats to humans, especially those with compromised immune systems. Cats with sporotrichosis should be treated promptly, and caregivers should be meticulous about hygiene.

Superficial Pyoderma

Superficial pyoderma is a bacterial or yeast infection of the skin that causes crusty, darkened skin, small bumps, and itchiness. This type of infection can affect any part of the body but most commonly develops between the paw pads, in the groin area, and on the head.

Abscess

An abscess is a wound that has become infected. It may require draining by a veterinarian.

Cheyletiella Mange

Cheyletiella mange is caused by mites and can result in crusty skin.

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Stress and anxiety

Cats that are stressed or anxious may pull their hair out or excessively groom themselves, leading to skin irritation and infection. This is known as "psychogenic alopecia" and is more common in female purebreds with nervous personalities. Stress can also weaken a cat's immune system, making it more susceptible to skin infections.

If you suspect that your cat's crusty skin is due to stress or anxiety, it's important to consult a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and rule out any other serious health concerns. The veterinarian may recommend behaviour modification medicine to help reduce your cat's anxiety.

To alleviate stress at home, you can:

  • Provide your cat with a safe, cat-friendly place to climb, such as a cat tree or tower.
  • Give your cat safe spaces to hide, such as a cat carrier or a closet with the door slightly open.
  • Play with your cat every day to provide physical activity and stimulation.
  • Stick to a routine as much as possible, especially with feeding and sleeping schedules.
  • If changes are necessary, introduce them gradually to help your cat adjust.

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Underlying illnesses

Skin issues in cats can indicate an underlying illness. If your cat is unwell, their skin condition is unlikely to improve until the illness is properly managed or cured.

Cats can suffer from a number of skin infections, such as yeast infections or feline military dermatitis, which can result from allergens such as fleas. Cats with other health issues like diabetes are more likely to get a skin infection.

Cats with allergies will exhibit other traits like eosinophilic granulomas or plaques, asthma or respiratory symptoms, sneezing, nasal discharge, watery eyes, excessive grooming, and hair loss.

If your cat is allergic to fleas, they will have an extreme reaction each time they are bitten. Their skin will become intensely itchy, and they will develop a rash around their head, neck, and lower back.

If your cat is allergic to something they encounter regularly, they may develop red, itchy skin. This often leads to overgrooming and alopecia (hair loss).

If your cat has an allergy, you can work with your veterinarian to help identify the allergen. Once you know what's causing the allergy, you can try to avoid exposing your cat to the offending substance.

Frequently asked questions

Symptoms of crusty skin in cats can include small or large flakes of skin, itchiness, bleeding, and crusty or scaly skin.

Crusty skin in cats can be caused by several factors, including allergies, especially flea allergies, seborrhea, yeast infections, autoimmune disorders, inadequate grooming due to joint pain or dental disease, and parasites such as fleas, mites, and lice.

Treatment for crusty skin in cats depends on the underlying cause. It is important to consult a veterinarian to determine the specific cause and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. In general, treatments for crusty skin can include omega-3 fatty acid supplements, anti-seborrheic shampoos and topical treatments, oral medications, antibiotics, antifungals, steroids, or antihistamines.

To prevent crusty skin in your cat, ensure regular veterinary check-ups and provide a high-quality, nutritious diet to reduce the risk of dry skin and itchiness. Keep your cat up to date on flea and tick prevention to protect them from parasites that can cause crusty skin. For cats with allergies, limiting their exposure to allergens can help prevent skin flare-ups.

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