Cat has loads of scabs.

[Soubriquet]

All around her neck, ears, and even down her spine.

It’s not fleas. She’s the only one affected (I also have two dogs).

What on earth could it be? It doesn’t seem to bother her really but it’s not pleasant to find

Why do you say it's not fleas?
My cat had that kind of reaction to even a single flea.

It could be dietary - try a better quality (grain free?) food.

You say it doesn't seem to bother the cat but cats are notorious for hiding pain and discomfort. You definitely need to get to the bottom of it, poor creature.

How old is she? When I was growing up our teenage (in cat years) cat had acne which presented as scabs

She sleeps with me or on kids beds all days. I’ve had fleas in the past (not with her) and I know it’s easy to miss them but humans being bitten and the dogs also having fleas are a big indicator for me.

I’ll get some anti flea medication just in case but I’m pretty sure it isn’t

No one here will be able to tell you. Best see a vet.

Is it just where she can't groom effectively? If so it's probably a contact allergy to something.

Is it proper (veterinary) flea medication rather than over the counter?

For my cat it ended up being a flea allergy.

Yes. Advantage

My old girl gets this. She does not get fleas (treatment for fleas, ticks etc on prescription) and has not done for several years despite fostering kittens who can bring fleas in. She has been treated for ringworm etc, the vet is a bit clueless. She is not that bothered but we have used antiseptic cream before which has helped.

Does she go outside so she could she be getting into scuffles with neighbourhood cats? If so, look out for any bites that get infected.

No. She’s an indoor cat by choice. She will go out and lay in the sun if it’s warm enough but most of the time she stays inside.

My old cat had similar, vet called it Feline Dermititis. She would also react the same way to flea bites though, a single bite and she'd flare up.

Feline allergy dermatitis. For mine it is triggered by flea saliva, but it can be caused by other things.
Vet describes it as like a millet seed rash, small lumpy scabs all close together.

Sounds like it actually. Well, I’ve just ordered the flea treatment so let’s see if that helps

Kitty may need a steroid shot from the vet to see off the worst, it’ll relieve the irritation for a couple of days or so to break the itch-scratch cycle. :)

My cat is allergic to the first sniff of fleas before we would notice. He nibbles at himself and scratches. Really plays his skin up. When he has an outbreak I take him to the vets for a steroid injection and it's almost instance relief for him. He is regularly flea treated from vets too. No issues with the other cat.

One of my previous cats had a flea allergy. Just one flea and he got like this. He was flead every month but needed an injection from vet when this happened every couple of years.

My old cat had this and it was allergies.

My cat had the same, it was a flea allergy, and caused itchy scabs at the base of her tail. We used a monthly spot on from the vets, but she still got the scabs.

Got this at the moment with my cat, vet treated it initially as a fles allergy, apparently only takes one flea, was given moxi clear to treat fleas and mites and steroids tabs to treat her skin.
I would give it week of different flea treatment and then take to vets, if no improvement. it must be very itchy and uncomfortable for your poor cat.

My Lucy gets this every now and then, flea allergy but seems to be trigger by other things too. She is a very sensitive soul. Vet have us a stash of steroids and usually a week of treatment clears it up.

I had a cat years ago that had a flea allergy.

If one flea bit her, she would get bald from the waist down. Poor thing.

Well I got some stuff on the way, and hopefully it works otherwise it will be a vet job.