Fleas?? Im not sure.

Question
Lately my cat, Missy, has been acting strangely. The last time she acted in this fashion the problem was fleas. She's 10 years old. Lately she has developed a tendency to scratch, lick, and "gnaw" at herself quite a bit. She does this principly around around the base of her tail, but also everywhere else. She avoids the floor like the plague for some reason, opting to hop from item to item or ride on my shoulder. She's even started hiding in cabinets or closets lately. All of this seemed to start just a day or two after I visited an old friend who has a couple older cats, so I'm of the thinking her current behavior is the result of something I brought home on me. Today she seemed fine, rolling around in the grass outside and seemed in good spirits. She is predominantly an indoor cat though. The last time she suffered from fleas she was constantly on the furniture and wouldn't get down on the floor for anything. I've been paranoid that her behavior is indicitive of something more serious and have closely monitored her intake and her litter box. She's not eating quite as much, but seems to be eating and drinking enough and seems to be "going" just fine. So far I've used that carpet powder to get rid of anything on the floor and gotten a collar on her. I haven't seen a lot of visual evidence to suggest fleas, other than something that may or may not have been a flea egg or two I've seen on her. But all the scratching and fear of the floor has me leaning that way. Please let me know what you think. Thank you.

Answer
There are many allergens that can make a cat itchy other than fleas.  There are molds and pollens, trees, and even the epithelia of other animals.  If you are certain that the cat has mnot been exposed to fleas inthe last month, then take the cat to the vet for an examination and a shot of a long ascing steroid called DepoMedrol.  THis will help relieve the itchiung for 4-6 weeks.