Cat allergies

Question
My Zoe Frances is a 14yr tabby.  She has a history of sensitive skin, and when something is bothering her, she breaks out in scabs and licks and bites until she's bald.
I put her on a good low-ingredient food, and she's been fine for months, but she's suddenly scabby and bald again.  It's very possible my well-meaning roommate slipped her something :)
My question is, I think she's getting too old for another series of steroid injections.  Can I do somrthing else to alliveiate her? Her personality hasn't changed, and the prednisone makes her crazy... restless and pacing, and drinks a gallon of water a day...
Thank You!

Answer
Greetings, Airen!  Well meaning roommates and spouses are the bane of my existence, and of a lot of allergy prone animals, so I know how frustrating it can be.

I am glad that you are not going to do more steroids because perhaps you have noticed that every time they wear off, the problem gets a bit worse. That's because they totally ravage the immune system because the body sees them as another foreign toxin that it now must eliminate, and an allergy is an immune system run a-muck in the first place.

I don't know what you are feeding Zoe, but have you tried getting her onto one of the pre-prepared raw diets?  They are fabulous for allergy animals. Raw Health has one that is wonderful, and cats seem to like it. There are many others out there as well.  It may take some doing to switch her, but it would be well worth the effort.

Also, Herbsmith has a wonderful allergy supplement based on Chinese Medicine. I would get her on it as well.

If the skin gets red and inflamed, licorice root extract is actually a natural sterol and will take out the inflammation in very short order. Just a few drops in about 1/8th cup of water and eye dropper it into her mouth.

Apple Cider Vinegar is another good addative to help balance the PH.

Keep me posted, ok?

Sue