Itching licking & major balding

My cat has been itching & licking so bad she has bald back legs & tummy. Her front leg is starting to go bald. I took her to a vet & was told she is highly allergic to fleas. She has no fleas. I have an appt on Wednesday but money is tight. Where she is bald her skin is warm. I have not changed her food, she eats Blue weight control. I feel like the worse mom on earth! She is my second cat, been a dog person my whole life, but got into cats now. I feel really bad & if someone could give me some advice I would really appreciate it!

it could be something she's breathing in. how's the pollen in your area? talk to you vet about antihistamines. 

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2117&aid=505

Sometimes a cat can be allergic to a flea bite but the fleas don't live on kitty.  My cat was itching, licking, scratching balding a while ago and I researched a lot of possibilities.

You can always treat your cat for fleas just to make sure that it's not fleas.  Believe it or not, my indoor only kitty once got fleas.  

Your cat can be allergic to something in its food.  Fish and grains are usual culprits.  Also, she can also suddenly develop an allergy.  It could be for a particular protein type.  Maybe switch her to a novel protein, limited ingredient food.  However, it usually takes at least 3 months to see a difference IF this is the problem.  

If you're using scented litter, try switching to an unscented brand.  Same with cleaning chemicals, perfumes, laundry detergent, etc.

My vet advised me to give my cat a bath with some hydrating pet shampoo just in case he had anything lingering in his fur that he had rubbed on and was having an allergic reaction to.  

It could be stress.  You can try calming liquids or sprays.

And finally, my vet prescribed a temporary steroid for my cat.  It was short term, only supposed to use it for about 2 weeks.  I didn't see any results at first but I didn't even have to finish the bottle for my cat to completely stop scratching.  

I made ALL of these changes at once since I was desperate to stop whatever it was, so I'm not  exactly sure what my kitty has BUT I won't mess with a good thing.  Good luck!!  

Don't feel bad!!!  Sometimes cats just have problems and we don't know why.  It can be stressful but you can only do what you can do for them and hope for the best.  A few months ago my kitty needed a dental bad and it was $$$. :[  As long as you know you're doing your best then don't stress out.

If your vet thinks it's a flea allergy then I would start with treating for fleas even if you don't think it has any.

Also, I did get my cat tested for ringworm just in case and it was negative.