Your cat could suffer from a number of skin conditions and it is up to you to recognize the signs of cat skin problems. The skin is the first line of defense from disease. Skin conditions can be caused by parasites, bacteria, fungi, contact irritations and many other causes. Skin conditions can
be primary (affect the skin as its first target) or secondary (affecting another organ first). Examples of primary skin conditions are fleas and ringworm where secondary skin conditions are hypothyroidism.
An itchy skin condition will cause your cat to continuously rub, scratch, bite at, or lick the affected area to find relief. This type of cat skin condition is readily apparent since you probably will be distracted by their actions. Itchy signs of cat skin problems can indicate food allergies, fleas, scabies, chiggers, ear mites, dandruff, eczema and other dermatitis.
Conditions including mange, ringworm, alopecia, and hypothyroidism are generally indicated first by hair loss as signs of cat skin problems. This hair loss may be due to the loss of patches of hair on specific areas of the body or an overall appearance of the lack of hair growth. The pattern of hair loss will help determine the type of skin condition your cat is suffering from.
Signs of cat skin problems involving a discharge can point to an infection such as cat acne, impetigo and abscesses from injuries or self-mutilation. Self-mutilation may be caused from another type of skin condition so be aware of other signs of cat skin problems such as itchy skin, hair loss, etc. as well as the obvious discharge. In fact many signs of cat skin problems often combine two or more types of skin conditions.
Finally, when grooming or petting your cat, you may discover lumps and bumps under the skin. These signs of cat skin problems could be benign as warts or hematomas or more serious as larvae infestations or cancer. Signs of cat skin problems such as dull coat, fur that feels dry, coarse, or brittle are also important signs of possible health problems, too. A dry and coarse coat may be a sign of unbalanced nutrition. 
Signs of cat skin problems can be as simple as an increase in cat grooming.
Whatever the signs of cat skin problems, a visit to the veterinarian is necessary, better sooner than later. Your veterinarian can diagnose the cause and prescribe treatment for your cat’s condition. The longer the problem is not treated, the longer the treatment and possibly the higher the expense. Many times the veterinarian will need to take a skin scrape to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment of skin disease may include steroids, antibiotics, antihistamines, topical drugs, antifungal drugs among other remedies. Many cat skin conditions can also affect humans, including ringworm, fleas, and scabies so paying attention to the signs of cat skin problems will also protect you and your family.
