If your cat has small, crusty bumps on her head, trunk or tail base, she may be suffering from miliary [pronounced like “military” but without the “t”] dermatitis. Other signs can include scratching, inflammation, hair loss or thinning — even behavior changes due to discomfort.
Miliary dermatitis is not a single disease but rather an umbrella term for the skin’s reaction to any allergy. The question is, allergy to what? Some cats are allergic to fleas or other parasites. Others have allergies to certain foods. And some of our feline friends suffer from atopic dermatitis — that involves allergies to environmental substances, like pollen, dust mites or mold.
Once your veterinarian helps you pin down the cause, treatment can address the problem.