good points annie...
although the flea comb would rid the kitty of any existing fleas it wouldn't help if its flea bite dermatitis...b/c this is an allergic reaction to a bite that has already happened...
still need to get rid of fleas for sure, but than treat the reaction with some of the methods mentioned in the article, you will really need to take this kitty to a Vet for a diagnosis and treatment.
Never use the flea treatments available OTC like annie says....the ones thru a Vet aren't much more expensive and they are safer and more effective...
I just wanted to add after I went back and reread the post I had missed the comment about human cortisone cream...you just cannot use this stuff on cats, you have to be very careful what you put on an animal...any animal because they LICK themselves and ingest things such as this cream that isn't meant to be used internally...for humans or animals..
any cream or lotion must come from a Vet clinic to be safe for use on an animal..
so please caution your friend not to try this again it could be very dangerous...
I was also going to suggest flea-allergy dermatitis. If that is it, she needs Frontline or Revolution and then some soothing skin creams, maybe even antibiotic ones. If your friend cannot afford those, she should buy a flea comb and comb her cat every night, drowning every flea she gets out of the comb in a little dish of water. But Frontline is so much more effective. She should try to find a low-cost pet clinic or call her Humane Society for advice. Just don't let her use OTC treatments like Advantage. Not good for kitty, gets in her liver.
hi I just replied to a similar question a few hours ago...this condition is usually an allergy to a flea bite (flea bite dermatitis) or it can be an allergy to food and /or environment...something in the house like scents(candles, cleaners, hairsprays etc.) even scented litter or the stain repellants in carpets and furniture.
but more than likely its the flea bite dermatitis....has this cat ever had fleas? even if you don't think so, it just takes the bite of one to cause an allergic reaction such as you describe.
It could also be a case of mange...
I will send you a couple links to open and read for further info...but this poor kitty really needs to see a Vet and get a proper diagnosis, whatever is the cause it must be extremely irritating and painful . good luck. let me know ok.
http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/vetmed/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=814576&sk=&date=&pageID=2
http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/skin/c_ct_Demodicosis#.Ums5RRCYd7c