When treating superficial scratches, it’s reasonable to wash the
wound with soap and water. If the wound is bleeding, apply pressure with
a clean, dry gauze pad. If the bleeding doesn’t stop despite holding
pressure, then medical attention should be sought.
Wounds to the
hands and feet can be more prone to infection, Levy warns, and scratches
to the face or other areas of the body can cause cosmetic damage in the
form of scarring. A scratch to the eye needs immediate care. The risk
for infection is higher for people with weakened or compromised immune
systems.
An over-the-counter antibiotic cream can be applied and
the wound covered with a dry, sterile dressing until it heals. It’s
crucial to keep an eye on the progression of the wound, he adds, and
watch out for warning signs that it’s time to call your doctor.
Signs
of an infected wound include changes around the wound site, increased
redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, pain with movement, or pus
drainage. Signs of a generalized body infection include fever, chills,
body aches, fatigue, and swollen glands. Swollen glands (lymph nodes) that develop within a week involving an area of the body that was scratched can be an indication of a bacterial infection.
If
an unknown or feral cat scratches you, use the same first aid
treatment, but also enlist the help of animal control or your local
health department. Depending on the severity of the scratch and whether
it was accompanied by a bite, the animal may need to be identified and
quarantined or tested for signs of disease, such as rabies. If the animal can’t be captured, your treating physician might recommend a round of rabies prophylaxis (antibody and vaccine injections) as a preventative measure. If you haven’t had a tetanus update in more than 10 years, your doctor might also opt give you a booster shot.
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