The bite from a single flea will have a minimal effect on a normal cat, but a cat with flea allergy will experience immediate itching and swelling. Flea allergy is the feline allergic skin disorder most commonly found. Cats that have it are hypersensitive to fleabites; their skin becomes inflamed, irritated and itchy in reaction to allergen in the saliva that fleas pass into the skin when they bite. The skin reaction and intense itching can lead to hair loss and skin lesions.
Treating flea allergy requires eliminating all fleas from a cat's environment. Until complete flea control is achieved, however, there are medications that alleviate the itchiness and discomfort.
