How to Treat Cat Scabs on Ears

September 20, 2021Cats, Pets

Updated March 19, 2025

As a cat owner, you know your cat’s favorite scratch zones—under the chin, the base of the tail, and behind those adorable ears. If you notice skin irritation, scabs, or sores on your cat’s ears during your scratch sessions, it may be a sign of an underlying feline skin condition.

Often, feline skin issues can be managed at home. In this article, we’ll discuss the possible causes of cat ear scabs, and share safe and effective home care tips.

The Clue: Millet Seed-size Bumps

Cat skin reacts to irritants in only a few characteristic ways, called reaction patterns. One of those reaction patterns is miliary dermatitis. That’s a fancy way of saying there are many small, hard bumps that typically show up on the back, neck, and face, including the ears. The bumps are about the size of a millet seed, hence the name ‘miliary’ dermatitis.¹

Veterinarians often see cats for miliary dermatitis. In fact, it’s one of the most common skin problems in cats.¹

The Scab Culprits

Miliary dermatitis is one way cats’ skin reacts to triggers. The things that cause the reaction include fleas, other insects, food allergies, infections, nutritional problems, and sometimes systemic diseases.¹

Flea saliva is a frequent culprit. Once it’s deposited into the cat’s skin, the saliva triggers severe itchiness in allergic cats. They’ll scratch and scratch, creating sores and scabs. It’s a systemic problem. The cat’s entire body will react to the flea saliva, so bumps can occur even in spots with no actual flea bite. Usually, the ears, face, neck, and back are affected.²

Other miliary dermatitis culprits include:

Mites – These are microscopic parasites of the skin that cause mange. They infect the ears but also cause redness, hair loss, itching, and general irritation of the skin of the ears.³
Allergies to food, dust, or other environmental allergens – Allergies can develop at any time during your cat’s life, causing symptoms of cat skin allergies. Check for any recent changes in your cat’s environment that could be causing dermatitis, and talk to your veterinarian about switching your cat to hypoallergenic food.³
Medications – Ear medications can irritate the ear and nearby skin, so let your veterinarian know if you notice skin problems after starting a new therapy.³
Infection – A bacterial skin infection might also occur.¹ Other symptoms, including lethargy or decreased appetite, could occur if this is the case. Excessive head shaking and a foul-smelling discharge from the ear can also indicate a cat ear infection.

A vet can usually determine the cause of feline miliary dermatitis through a combination of tests, a thorough examination, and your cat’s medical history.

Gray british cat sleeps lying on the couch stretching its paws forward

Treatment

The first step is eliminating the exact cause of the rash, which means:¹^, ³

Removing fleas or mites and using routine flea and tick prevention
Treating all pets and their living areas inside and outside the household is mandatory. Otherwise, the fleas can repopulate the pet, causing a continuous allergy cycle.
Changing their diet
Removing allergens from their environment
Treating any underlying bacterial infections

As you and your veterinarian treat the underlying cause, you can tend to your kitty’s scabs.

Removing the underlying problem starts healing your cat’s miliary dermatitis. But you can promote healing with these additional options:

Antihistamines – If you’ve dealt with allergies, you’re probably familiar with using antihistamines to stop sneezing, sniffling, and itching. An antihistamine can help cats too, but they don’t start working until after a few days, and they may cause unwelcome side effects. Follow your veterinarian’s advice if you use an antihistamine for your cat.¹
Steroid – Steroids can help relieve itching. But steroids may cause other problems, so it’s best only to use a steroid as directed by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may give your cat a steroid injection or send you home with steroid pills.⁴
Antibiotics – In cases of bacterial infection, your vet may prescribe antibiotics.⁴
Topical Treatments – Vetericyn Plus® Feline Antimicrobial Facial Therapy doesn’t have antibiotics, steroids, or alcohol, so it won’t sting or burn. Use it multiple times daily to safely heal sores, scabs, and itchy spots around the face, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and chin.

E-Collar

An Elizabethan collar, otherwise known as an e-collar, is the best way to stop your cat from causing more skin damage.

With the cone around their neck, your cat can’t scratch the scabs on their face and ears. Although your cat may find the cone annoying at first, they’ll quickly adjust and be well on their way to healthy, scab-free skin.

Woman at home holding her lovely birman cat

Vetericyn: Caring for Animals with Safe, Non-toxic Pet Wellness Products

Our products are manufactured in the US and trusted by veterinarians worldwide for treating skin problems and other issues in many species. Visit our blog to learn more about managing cat wounds and to check all our animal wellness products.

From our Vetericyn Plus® Antimicrobial Ear Rinse to antimicrobial wound and skin care, to plant-based medicated shampoo, and more, we’re committed to providing products you and your animal companions will love.

Reviewed by Dr. Kathy Adamson

Dr. Kathy Adamson earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine.

She completed a one-year small animal medicine and surgery internship at the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine. Alongside her studies, Kathy worked in a research lab, contributing as an author and co-author to various journal articles.

She has also pursued medical writing and editing certification through the University of Chicago Graham School. Currently, she runs KMA Veterinary & Medical Writing, a freelance medical writing company, serves as the Digital Content Manager for the Greater Chicago Area Chapter of the American Medical Writers Association, is a member of the AMWA Communications Committee, and enjoys writing about healthcare topics for people and their cherished pets.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathyadamsondvm/