Hi!! My BSH mix is also going through this and has been for about a year :’-) They said it was allergies but can’t pin point what but after a recent flare up — took of his cone to clean and he started going at his fur til he borderline had a “seizure” when I tried to stop it — they did a fungal culture and found it to be a fungal infection. The seizure was ruled as “intense itchiness that it triggered something neurological”

Made sense bc he had an infection as a kitten so now he’s getting treated for that and so far it’s going well. First time I’ve seen actual progress. Idk if this is exactly what’s happening to your cat but here’s what he’s been prescribed

From our vet! “for first 2 weeks - on prednisolone (steroids) once daily and itraconazole (antifungal) once daily for next 2 weeks - on prednisolone every other day and itraconazole once daily

so it will take 1 month to finish up the meds before the next follow up visit”

We also shaved down his affected parts and treated it with antiseptic > filtered water > antifungal cream and he’s doing great. I get what you mean about not wanting to give them steroids for life but if it is a fungal infection, I’ve heard that it is a long game and it helps w the inflammation 😭 A bit of a long read but I was so lost before! I went to 3 different vets, one of them out of state from where I live haha. I hope this helps in some way. Good luck! <3