How to Medically Treat a Cat Scratch
Cat scratches are part of cat ownership, and are usually the result of someone scaring or hurting the cat. For a child, a cat scratch can be a bit of a surprise--the fuzzy pet just hurt them! As a parent, treating cat scratches is a straightforward process.
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Instructions
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Rinse the scratch as quickly as possible. The claw that made it has been dragged through a litter box at some point in the past, and this will help cleanse it of foreign objects and bits of grit.
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Wash the scratch with soap and water. You do this after the initial rinse so that any foreign material isn't packed into the scratch. Ordinary soap and water will work just fine.
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Put aloe vera ointment on the newly cleaned scratch to prevent scars from forming.
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Put a small bandage on the scratch if it's on a part of the body (hands or wrists) that will come into contact with food, dirt or other possible contaminants. Most cat scratches are shallow and won't need stitches or butterfly bandages to hold them shut.
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Monitor the site of the scratch over the next few days; a cat scratch will usually heal in two to three days, and usually shows a marked improvement in a day. If the scratch is swelling or inflamed, or the person scratched starts running a fever, see a doctor about getting something a bit stronger to clean out the scratch.
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References
- Photo Credit cat paws image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
