need advice for over-licking - no more fur, has rash

So  my cat has this happening...   He has been over-licking for about a month, continues to get worse.  At first I thought he was just horny (intact male) and masturbating or grooming so I didn't pay much attention.  When I noticed the fur missing it was an area about 2 inches in diameter probably a week after he started over-licking. We cleaned the area with hydrogen peroxide and applied polysporin to soothe and heal the area, 2-3x/day for over a week, but he just licked it off.  When we are awake and with him we try to stop him, but he licks when we are asleep or at work.  We applied a collar/cone on him so he couldn't reach the area, but he broke the collar/cone twice to get it off.  Over the past few weeks we have: changed his food and water dishes from the plastic pet food bowls to ceramic kitchen bowls; applied olive oil or coconut oil (internet said they were safe and cats don't like the taste, so tried as a deterrent).  There has been no change in his food (eating Kirkland Organic dry cat food).  2 months ago he was bit by a stray cat and formed an abscess on the top of his head (tooth puncture spot), that was treated and healed well.  I think the abscess had been healed for a couple weeks prior to the onset of his over-licking.  I admit I am not the best for the timeline, as I didn't pay close attention when it started as I thought it would resolve easily, and the weeks have blended together.  He is now having problems walking, looks like the raw areas are rubbing together causing discomfort.  He is able to sleep and lay without licking (not a constant itch), but today we noticed that when he was outside (we live on an acreage, he is an outdoor/heated porch cat - better than the barn!) that he started biting/chewing at the area.  We are at a conflict of perspectives...  Farm cats are treated well as they are "employees" of the farm... this little guy doesn't do his job (mousing), but we appreciate his companionship so we treat him well and want to do what needs to be done to heal him.  Yet, farm cats are not meant to rack-up hundred or thousands of dollars of vet bills, it's just bad economics considering that he could meet up with a coyote or wander to another farm at any time... Any suggestions for treatment or experience with a similar situation?

He is a 1&1/2 year old intact male.  Other than an occasional stray cat, he is currently the only cat on our yard.  He spends his time 50/50 between indoor and outdoor.  He has no other behavioral issues, still likes to cuddle and follow the kids around the yard.  He has no fever and has been eating/drinking the same amount as usual.  When this started there were no notable insect bites, etc. to the area.

That looks so sore. painful  You do need to see a vet, but while you wait, for a home remedy,  I would try a paste made with Bentonite Clay rub that all over him like a Bath let it dry for awhile (looks like mud) then rinse, repeat again in a few days, change his food something holistic ASAP.   Keep him seperate isolated in a stress free area-few days off from mouse hunting job. Wash change all his bedding, have a look where he hangs out side what is he lying on? or what foods can he access outside of the home?  Until solution is found.  

Food Grade  Bentonite clay dirt - dirt cheap purchase bulk at health food store. Diatomaceous Earth is wonderful but very runny when wet. Good for internal cleanse or a dry powder bath.. Bentonite makes a great paste/scrub. 

One of my cats started to do this once because of a food allergy. Another had a flea allergy so one flea would set her off scratching.

Hopefully he should stop once you find out if it's internal or external, takes few days for new diet to take effect.

It looks to me like it could be scabies. This is quite easy to treat BUT you have to catch it quickly before he passes it on to other animals and people. I'd really recommend seeing a vet, if you don't know what you are dealing with it's impossible to treat it properly and most medical conditions are much easier/cheaper to deal with if you catch them early on.

I agree. He's probably unaware of the fact that he's not supposed to cost you a lot of money in vet bills   It doesn't have to be hundreds or thousands of dollars though. It could very well be something that's easily treatable but only a vet can properly diagnose this and treat. 

I know you didn't ask about that but I have to say that neutering him would be much better for him and would also save you a lot of money in treating future abscesses. I don't think it's related to this particular issue but whole tomcats are more susceptible to many diseases, including STD's. Prevention is always cheaper than having to treat these things.

Good luck and let us know how he's doing and what the vet said! 

Poor cat

This has been happening to my female cat as well,there are alot of differnt corces such as,

Stress:This could be because a nother cat in your area is anoying your cat or your cat could have been in a fight or a nother cat could be visiting your cats terrortory(your garden)and stressing your cat out because of that(especialy if your cat is a female and the other cat is male).

A new person:If their is a new person in your household then your cat may find this new person over welming and also they may have different smellla to everything else.

A new pet:If you have resently gotten a new pet your cat may be feeling left out and groom themselves as a kind of comfort,most lickley you will be giving the new pet lots of attention.To help this you should give you cat lots more attention and maybe you could make a corner in the hous e for your cat away from the new pet.Also your new pet might be trying to make friends with your cat or trying to play with your cat(i.e your cats tail) to help this you should try and keep them away fom each other and give the suppervised time each day to play and get used ton each other.

Allergy to fleas:Check your cat for fleas and give them a flea vaccination/pill straight away and then bring your cat to the vet.

Allergy to food:Try changing your cats food to a different brand for 1 or 2 weeks to see if it makes a difference and/or take your cat to the vets.

It could also beust mites,Parasites,Underlaying medical attention,Mites,Ticks,Fungal infection,Ringworm or Kidney stones.

Hope this helps

you can put on penaten cream on the saw paches this really helps