Cats have sharp claws, and occasionally they scratch their human family – usually unintentionally. Cat scratches can burn, itch and also be very painful. If you or someone in the family has been scratched, here are some tips for dealing with it:
Wash the area with soap and water.
Cats’ claws often have material or bacteria or under them. When they puncture your skin, that dirt is right there and can enter the wound. Use mild hand soap and warm water and wash the cat scratch and the surrounding area. Flush the area thoroughly with warm water to rinse any material away.
Protect the areas of the wound that were deep enough to bleed.
Depending on the size of the scratch, this could be a Band-Aid or a piece of gauze, as long as the covering allows the injury to breathe. It is important not to smother the wound with anti-bacterial cream but these can be used sparingly.
Watch the wound for signs of infection.
These include swelling, redness, tenderness and oozing. If these signs appear, see your doctor.
Watch for signs of cat scratch disease - especially in children or those with lowered immunity.
Cat scratch disease, a bacterial infection that causes swelling of the lymph nodes, is usually due to a scratch or bite of a cat. Bartonella henselae, the bacterium that causes this disease, is found in all parts of the world. Fleas spread the bacteria between cats, although there’s no evidence that fleas can transmit the disease to humans. The bacteria live in infected cats’ saliva but don’t make the animals sick. In humans, a blister or bump develops several days after the scratch or bite, which is usually painless and may be mistaken for a bug bite. Within a couple of weeks, one or more lymph nodes close to the area will swell and become tender. In most kids, swollen lymph nodes are the main symptom of the disease and the illness is mild. If people have other general symptoms, they might include a mild fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, rash, sore throat, and an overall ill feeling. Cat scratch disease usually resolves without any lasting illness.