Cat lifting paw but not limping

Hi all, my cat (spayed 2yo) has allergies and a history of over grooming. I noticed she had bitten a very small area of her fur off her front leg 5 days ago. It was a very very small hotspot, and it disappeared under her fur an hour later. This has happened in other areas and passed before, so I decided to monitor her before going to a vet. Starting yesterday, I noticed she would sit with one of her paws (in the same front leg she bit) off the floor. She hasn't been limping, runs and plays just fine, no appetite or litterbox changes. Is she just a bit sensitive from her making that hotspot on her leg, or does this indicate a further injury? I can afford vet care but I just found out her allergies and anything related aren't covered, so I would like to wait it doesn't seem serious.