Being scratched by a cat may seem trivial, but if not handled properly, it can cause infections, even the rare "cat scratch disease." Therefore, knowing the correct wound care method is very important; even a shallow scratch should not be taken lightly.

What to Do If Scratched by a Cat? 5 Correct Steps to Treat the Wound and Avoid Infection

Cats are our close companions, but occasional “love marks” — cat scratches — can also cause trouble. Although most cat scratches are not serious, cats’ claws may carry bacteria, and if not promptly and properly treated, there is a risk of infection. This article will detail how to properly treat wounds after a cat scratch to help you minimize the risk of infection.

What is "Cat Scratch Disease"?

Before discussing wound care, let’s first understand a special infection that may occur after a cat scratch — Cat Scratch Disease (CSD), also called cat scratch fever. Cat Scratch Disease is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae. This bacterium is often found in cat saliva.

Although cats usually look cute, they can transmit the bacteria to humans by scratching, biting, and even licking open wounds. Particularly, kittens and stray cats have a higher likelihood of carrying this bacterium.

Most healthy adults infected with Cat Scratch Disease have mild symptoms or are even asymptomatic. The most common symptom is red spots, papules, or small pustules at the site of the scratch or bite. After a few days or weeks, lymph nodes near the wound may enlarge and become painful. These swollen lymph nodes may feel somewhat hard, sometimes suppurate, or even rupture. Besides local symptoms, some people may develop flu-like systemic symptoms such as fever (usually low-grade, below 38.9℃), fatigue, headache, and loss of appetite.

However, people with weakened immune systems, such as those with AIDS, undergoing chemotherapy, or diabetics, may experience more severe complications from Cat Scratch Disease, including skin lesions, eye problems, and even affecting internal organs such as the liver and spleen. In very rare cases, it can cause encephalitis.

Key point: Although Cat Scratch Disease sounds scary, in most cases it is benign and self-limiting, meaning symptoms often resolve on their own within months even without treatment. Still, proper wound care is the first line of defense in preventing infection.

Correct Steps to Handle a Cat Scratch (5 Steps)

If you are accidentally scratched by a cat, please stay calm and follow these 5 steps to properly handle the wound:

Step One: Assess the wound

First, assess the severity of the wound.

• Superficial scratches: The skin is slightly broken without obvious bleeding or bruising. Usually, these can be treated at home.
• Deeper or heavily bleeding wounds: Deeper scratches with continuous bleeding or bruising require special attention.
• Wounds at special locations: If the wound is on the face, eyes, joints, or other important or sensitive areas, or if there are foreign objects in the wound, seeking medical attention promptly is recommended.
• Suspected signs of infection: If redness, swelling, heat, worsening pain, pus discharge, or systemic symptoms such as fever or swollen lymph nodes appear, seek medical care immediately.

Step Two: Immediately wash the wound with soap and running water

This step is crucial! After a cat scratch, quickly wash the wound thoroughly with soap or a mild alkaline cleanser and plenty of running water. Washing should last at least 15 minutes. Imagine giving the wound a "bath" to wash away bacteria and dirt as much as possible. You can use a water stream with some force, like water from a faucet, but avoid excessive scrubbing to prevent tissue damage. During washing, gently press around the wound to help expel dirt and blood. Remember, never use your mouth to suck the wound!

Step Three: Disinfect the wound

After cleaning, disinfect the wound. You may apply 2%-3% iodine tincture (povidone-iodine) or 75% alcohol to the wound and surrounding skin. Disinfection helps kill local bacteria and reduces infection risk. However, some sources recommend avoiding alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or iodine as they may irritate the wound and delay healing. Gentle medical disinfectants may be more suitable. For deeper or larger wounds, it is best to visit a hospital for thorough debridement and disinfection by professionals.

Step Four: Cover the wound (if necessary)

For superficial scratches, some believe keeping the wound dry and exposed promotes healing and thus do not recommend bandaging. For deeper wounds or those prone to contamination, use clean sterile gauze or adhesive bandages to cover the wound to prevent further infection. Keep the wound clean and dry, changing the dressing daily until healed. Avoid sealing deep wounds directly with tape or butterfly bandages as this may trap bacteria inside.

Step Five: Closely monitor the wound and physical condition, see a doctor if necessary

After wound care, closely observe healing progress and watch for any abnormal symptoms.

• Observe the wound: Watch for redness, increased pain, swelling, increased discharge, or pus as signs of infection.
• Observe systemic symptoms: Monitor for fever, swollen lymph nodes (especially near the wound), headache, fatigue, or loss of appetite. If these occur, especially persistent or enlarging lymph nodes, seek medical attention promptly and inform the doctor about the cat scratch. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics as needed.

Additional reminder: Rabies vaccine

Although cats are less likely than dogs to transmit rabies, they can carry the rabies virus. If scratched or bitten by a stray or unknown cat, or if your pet cat is not regularly vaccinated against rabies, consult your local disease prevention center or designated hospital promptly. Follow medical advice on whether you need a rabies vaccine or rabies immunoglobulin injection. Rabies is a highly fatal disease, and timely and proper wound care and vaccination are key to prevention.

How to Prevent Cat Scratches and Cat Scratch Disease?

"Prevention is better than cure," so avoiding cat scratches is the best method.

• Gentle interaction: When playing with cats, try to avoid over-exciting them and avoid teasing to reduce accidental scratches during play.
• Regularly trim cat nails: Regular nail trimming can greatly reduce the severity of injuries from scratches.
• Avoid contact with stray or unfamiliar cats: Stray cats have higher risks of carrying bacteria and parasites, so avoid close contact or unnecessary touching.
• Educate children: Teach children how to safely play with cats and avoid pulling tails or ears to prevent provoking the cats.
• Keep environment clean and treat parasites: Regularly deworm cats internally and externally, especially controlling fleas as they are the main vector for Bartonella transmission among cats. Keeping the home environment clean also helps reduce flea infestation.
• Do not let cats lick wounds: Whether you have wounds or not, do not let cats lick your skin, especially broken skin, as their saliva may carry bacteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will I definitely get Cat Scratch Disease if scratched by a cat? Not necessarily. Cat Scratch Disease is caused by a specific bacterium, and even if the cat carries it, transmission to humans is not 100%. Most cat scratches do not lead to Cat Scratch Disease, and even if infected, most people have mild symptoms.
• Is it normal to have bruising after a cat scratch? Mild bruising after a scratch may result from broken capillaries under the skin. If mild without infection signs, cold compress initially followed by warm compress after 48 hours can help reduce swelling and bruising. If bruising is severe or accompanied by other discomforts, see a doctor.
• Does Cat Scratch Disease have an incubation period? Yes. Symptoms like red papules usually appear 3-10 days after scratch or bite. Lymph node enlargement typically appears 1-2 weeks after infection.
• Is Cat Scratch Disease contagious between humans? Cat Scratch Disease is usually transmitted from cats to humans and is generally not directly contagious between people.
• When should I see a doctor? For any deep, uncontrollable bleeding wounds, wounds on special sites, or signs of infection (redness, worsening pain, pus) or systemic symptoms (fever, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue), seek medical care promptly. Those with weakened immune systems should be especially vigilant and consult a doctor promptly after a cat scratch.

In summary, timely and proper wound care after a cat scratch is key to preventing infection. If you experience any discomfort or concerns, seek medical advice promptly and follow the doctor’s guidance to ensure your health. After all, we all want to live happily in harmony with our lovely “masters”!