Any cat detectives out there?

[AyeAyeFishyPie]

So: a strange one.

On Thursday evening I came home from work. My cat seemed her usual vocal self but then I noticed her face seemed quite pink (she is ginger and white anyway so quite pink usually). I put it down to over-zealous rubbing against a box or something. On Friday my husband came home and said she was definitely not right. I took a proper look and she had red bumps on her face above her eyes and was very pink. It then hit me that our cleaner had been in on Thursday.

I bathed her paws and washed her face as best I could. She was really bothering it and clearly very sore. I called the out of hours vet who said I had done the right thing and to monitor.

Today she is considerably less pink and much perkier. She has scratched herself though - especially at the entrance to her ears. I gently took a look and they were FULL OF dead skin and earwax. I got damp cotton wool and cleaned them out. She seems happier.

So advice please:

1. Are the ears a reaction to contact with a cleaner? I would have noticed them before. It isn't coffee far nuke like so it's not ear mites.
   
2. She is recovering so I don't want to take her to the vet unless things change. But should I get her a cone just to help things heal?
   

Cleaner says she didn't use anything she doesnt normally use (all fine from cats). But what else could it be? The only thing i have started using is plaque-off?! She is indoor only

Thanks

[Trustyourself2]

I know it's stressful taking them to the vet, but it does sound like a vet's diagnoses would be a good idea and she might need a jab for a possible infection?

[RubbishMantra]

Could she be suffering from ear-mites? Vet can do a swab and check for them during the appointment. I would vet if it were me - especially as you've introduced new products, (Not sure from your post if new products are for cat or household cleaning stuff.)

[Fluffycloudland77]

She needs a vet. If it's an infection or infestation she'll be better off long term with prescription medication. If it gets bad she'll scratch until it bleeds.

We wouldn't like an ear full of wax & dry skin.

[FatCatFaces]

As above, earmites cause ears to look dirty and are very itchy. Please take her to the vet. It could also be fleas. Some cats react horribly to their bites.