Has anyone dealt with similar symptoms in a cat, and what was the eventual cause?

My 18 year old indoor female cat is in diabetic remission and otherwise acts completely normal—eating, drinking, using the litter box, and behaving like herself.

The skin problems began in October, about a month after we moved in September. They occur in flare-ups, appearing quickly, improving with treatment, then returning. We’ve gone to the vet 5 times since October and still don’t have answers.

Symptoms:  
\- Intense itching and scratching  
\- Excessive grooming/licking  
\- Scabs, especially around the ears  
\- Dry, flaky skin  
\- Hair loss  
\- Primarily affecting the head, ears, neck, and shoulders  
\- Occasionally affecting the front legs/paws, though those may be licking-related hotspots

Treatments tried:  
\- Oral Antibiotics  
\- Steroid ointment  
\- Antibacterial mousse  
\- Regular ear cleaning with GlycoZoo Otic Cleanser

These treatments help manage symptoms but have not resolved the issue.

Her diet has been unchanged for about five years (all wet food), and she had no prior skin problems. Because the symptoms started soon after our move, I’ve wondered about environmental allergies.

If you’ve had a cat with similar symptoms, what was the diagnosis (allergies, mites, autoimmune disease, fungal infection, etc.)? Were there any tests or treatments that finally provided answers?

I’m not looking for a diagnosis—just similar experiences to help guide a discussion with my vet.

Thank you!

Senior cat with recurring itchy scabs and skin issues for 8+ months — anyone experienced something similar?