complimentary treatment? For a few years my mother's cat has gradually been losing its fur. At first we didn't realise. Now he has a red flakey patch on his side around his hip and thigh area. He is going bald there but I think that might be because he licks it so much; I have seen him washing it quite vigorously, and it's always damp from drool. He does not like to be touched there.

In his ear he has a raised red area, circular, about 1cm radius, as well as redness around the eyes. The vet took a sample from the ear irritation and it wasn't ringworm or anything.

He gets steroids daily. My mother reckons that this helps but it's still pretty bad. She also sometimes puts some sudocrem on the ear. She believes the drugs cause fur yellowing. His fur is generally thin and dull.

What could he be allergic to? Mum seems to think it's because of his micro-chipping but I am not convinced. Could it be household cleaner? What could be some good things to put on the ear and side, and to brighten his fur?
Thanks
Actually I think the ringworm came back inconclusive
He is age 8 or 9 I think. The fur is yellow. He is already on science diet.