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

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?

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.)

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.

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.