【Written by a Vet】Miliary Dermatitis in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention Tips

Are you familiar with miliary dermatitis? It's a skin inflammation in cats characterized by small, red, millet-like bumps on their skin. In this article, we'll delve into feline miliary dermatitis.

What is Miliary Dermatitis? An Inflammatory Skin Condition in Cats

Definition and Characteristics of Miliary Dermatitis

Miliary dermatitis is one of the most common skin conditions in cats. It manifests as small, millet-seed-like bumps that appear on parts of the body or across the entire body. The skin surface develops small raised papules and scabs, giving it a rough texture when touched.

Often Involving Allergies and Fleas

Feline miliary dermatitis is believed to be caused by allergies, with flea allergies being the most common culprit. Other potential causes include mosquitoes, mites, pollen, house dust, mold, food, and atopy.

Main Symptoms and Appearance of Feline Miliary Dermatitis

Small Red Bumps, Itching, Scabs, Hair Loss

Red papules can appear on parts of the body or across the entire body. These papules are itchy, causing the cat to lick or scratch them. Over time, scabs form on the papules, and scratching can lead to hair loss. The scabs may flake off as dandruff.

Commonly Affected Areas

Miliary dermatitis commonly affects the head, neck, and back, with a particularly high incidence on the back.

Distinction from Other Skin Conditions

Miliary dermatitis presents as small, bumpy papules. However, if the cat licks or scratches due to itching, secondary infections like bacterial infections can occur in those areas, making it resemble bacterial dermatitis. Hair loss may occur, but it appears as widespread thinning or broken hairs from licking, which differs from the circular hair loss seen in fungal infections.

Diverse Causes: Fleas, Allergies, and Stress All Play a Role

Connection to Flea Allergy Dermatitis

Flea allergy is considered a primary cause of miliary dermatitis. Some reports indicate that 35% of cats with flea allergies exhibited symptoms of miliary dermatitis. Cats can have an allergic reaction to flea saliva, leading to the development of miliary dermatitis throughout their body.

Possibility of Food and Environmental Allergies

Food, house dust, and pollen can also cause miliary dermatitis. In the case of food, symptoms may appear with certain types of food. Environmental allergies can sometimes be seasonal.

Mental Stress and Immune Disorders Can Also Be Causes

When immunity is lowered due to mental stress, bacteria and fungi can infect the skin and cause miliary dermatitis. Autoimmune diseases, where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues, can also lead to miliary dermatitis.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Feline Miliary Dermatitis

Diagnosis Methods at Veterinary Hospitals

At the veterinary hospital, a medical history, visual inspection, and palpation are typically performed first. During the medical history, questions will be asked about flea and tick prevention, and diet. The visual inspection and palpation will check the affected areas of the skin and the condition of the papules. Cells from the papules may be collected and examined under a microscope to check for bacteria, fungi, and cell types. If allergies are suspected, allergy testing may be performed.

If the cause cannot be identified through these tests, further examinations such as blood tests may be necessary.

Treatment with Steroids, Antihistamines, and Topical Medications

Miliary dermatitis is accompanied by itching, which causes stress. Therefore, itch control is necessary. Since itching is related to a substance called histamine, antihistamines may be prescribed orally for mild symptoms. For severe symptoms, corticosteroids are needed to stop the itching. If the affected area is small or the itching is well-controlled, topical corticosteroids may also be used.

Flea Control and Allergen Removal are Also Important

Miliary dermatitis is commonly seen with flea allergies. Therefore, if flea control has not been implemented, it is absolutely essential. Fleas are active from spring to autumn, so preventive medication is usually administered during that season. However, for flea allergies, year-round administration is advisable.

In cases of food or environmental allergies, allergen removal is necessary. For food allergies, it may be necessary to change to a hypoallergenic diet. For environmental allergies such as house dust, measures such as frequent cleaning are required.

At-Home Prevention and Relapse Prevention Tips

Year-Round Flea Prevention

Fleas are active when the average temperature exceeds 14℃. Outdoor fleas can attach to an owner's shoes, clothes, or bags and enter the home. Once indoors, the indoor temperature may constantly exceed 14℃, posing a risk of year-round activity. Therefore, even without flea allergies, year-round prevention helps prevent and avoid recurrence.

Diet Review and Allergen Management

Miliary dermatitis can also be caused by food allergies. While it's not possible to prevent food allergies themselves, it's advisable to avoid feeding poor quality food due to nutritional and health concerns. If there is an allergy, removing the allergen can potentially alleviate symptoms and prevent recurrence.

Creating a Stress-Free Environment and Regular Health Check-ups

Stress can trigger not only miliary dermatitis but also various other illnesses. To minimize stress, adjust the room temperature to a comfortable level for your cat and ensure constant access to water. Provide one more litter box than the number of cats you have. It's also a good idea to create hiding places where they can retreat.

Additionally, due to a cat's dense fur, minor cases of miliary dermatitis may go unnoticed. It's sometimes detected during brushing when an increased amount of dandruff is observed, so regular brushing and physical interaction are important. If you notice any abnormalities, consult a veterinarian early. Regular health check-ups are also crucial.

If You Notice Symptoms of Miliary Dermatitis, See a Veterinarian Early

Risk of Worsening or Chronic Condition if Left Untreated

Miliary dermatitis is associated with allergies, so the skin inflammation will persist as long as the allergen is present. If left untreated, the itching will intensify, and the affected area will be scratched. This can lead to bacterial infections and pus, resulting in a worsening condition. While miliary dermatitis itself is not fatal, if there is an immune deficiency, it can potentially lead to sepsis.

Possibility of Infection to Other Cats or Humans?

In conclusion, there is no risk of direct infection. However, since flea allergies are a primary cause, flea infestation may be present. Fleas can jump onto other animals and humans to feed, so regular cleaning and consistent flea control are necessary.

Summary

Miliary dermatitis is a skin inflammation caused by some type of allergy. The main symptoms are small papules, scabs, itching, and hair loss, and both itch management and allergy management are necessary. Flea allergy, in particular, is a major cause, so regular cleaning and consistent flea control are essential.