Scratching eyebrows

My long-haired black cat (healthy and 12 years old)  has scratched the fur over his eyes for many years, and now it's almost gone.  It is not painful, but does seem itchy.  No fleas - we keep him dowsed and combed.  Is this something I can/should treat?  I figured it was from playing in the bushes outside.  (Yes, they are indoor/outdoor cats.)
Is there a safe med I can put on his brows to help ease the itch?

[nancyjac]

Since he has been doing this for years, there might well be a behavioral component to it in that it has just become habit for him and therefore somewhat of a vicious cycle.  Cats fur can thin and they age, so the increasing baldness in that area may be partially attributable to that.  It seems you have eliminated the more serious potential problems, which leaves alergies (allergies)/skin sensitivities as the likely culprit.  I am still a bit baffled as to why it appears to be irritation only above his eyes though.  Is there anything that he might have direct contact with, either in the house or outside that would only or primarily make contact in that area?  Another possibility, since he scratches that area, is that he is picking up something on his claws or paw pads (like an insecticide or fertilizer) that he is then transferring to the above eye area with his scratching.

You might try a cortisone ointment to stop the itch and hopefully the scratching.  Just use a very small amount and rub it in well so it doesn't get into his eyes and he isn't as tempted to lick it off.

[nancyjac]

A number of very different possibilities come to mind but without additional information, I can't hazard a guess.  When you say he has  been scratching it for years, do you mean scratching above his eyes with his back claws or excessively grooming that area with his front paws?  What is causing you to think it is not painful but itchy?  What are you dowsing him with for fleas?  What kind of bushes is he playing in?  Is he also scratching at his ears?  Is there any skin irritation or scaliness in the area with the fur loss?  Are the whiskers above his eyes damaged?  Do the eyes themselves have any redness or drainage?  Is his third eyelid (a membrane that extends from the inside corner of the eye) up?  Have you every asked your vet about this?

[brockhagenk]

He scratches above his eye (mostly his left eye) with back claws.  He doesn't scratch his ears - never any sign of mites.  I don't think it's painful because he allows us to pet him there.  We have lilac, forsythia, burning bush, along with numerous spruce trees.  Occasionally he gets some skin irritation in the area, but never sores or scabs, just some mild redness.  His eyes are clear, and his nictitating membrane is not visible (unless he's dozing off.)  I pointed it out to our vet a few years ago, but he didn't seem to think anything needed to be treated.  He is one of three cats, and the other two have no problem with this.  We treat them with Revolution.  ("Douse" was an overstatement.  I apply according to the directions, although I think once a month is excessive.  I also comb him with a flea comb once every couple of weeks.)  The whiskers above his eyes are fine.
I always thought it was just a "thing" he did, but it does seem that the behavior is increasing this year.  When I checked it out online last night, I got a little concerned!

[nancyjac]

Since he has been doing this for years, there might well be a behavioral component to it in that it has just become habit for him and therefore somewhat of a vicious cycle.  Cats fur can thin and they age, so the increasing baldness in that area may be partially attributable to that.  It seems you have eliminated the more serious potential problems, which leaves alergies (allergies)/skin sensitivities as the likely culprit.  I am still a bit baffled as to why it appears to be irritation only above his eyes though.  Is there anything that he might have direct contact with, either in the house or outside that would only or primarily make contact in that area?  Another possibility, since he scratches that area, is that he is picking up something on his claws or paw pads (like an insecticide or fertilizer) that he is then transferring to the above eye area with his scratching.

You might try a cortisone ointment to stop the itch and hopefully the scratching.  Just use a very small amount and rub it in well so it doesn't get into his eyes and he isn't as tempted to lick it off.

[brockhagenk]

I'll give the cortisone a try.  Fertilizer is a possibility - we live in the middle of farmland, and although he stays on our five acres most of the time, I know there are times when he must follow prey into the fields.  (The cats go out in the early morning and again in the evening, mostly when we're outside, too, so I don't think he travels much further than that.)

Nancyjac, thank you so much for your prompt responses and your advice.  I really appreciate it!