Cat scratch infected???

Oh geez. This morning when I was feeding the ferals I reached beside Honey to grab a bowl for one of the kittens and he hissed and scratched my finger. Stupidly, I thought nothing of it and just went inside. Three hours later my finger is swollen to three times the size! I put polysporin, bandaid and hydrogen peroxide...what else can I do?

It's natural for your body to react to an injury. Take an aspirin or Advil to reduce inflammation (Tylenol won't work), and maybe an antihistamine if you don't mind (in case it's an allergic reaction). If it's still swollen tomorrow, or if it still looks red or icky in a few days, you should see a doctor .

I'm an RN but my advice to you would be to seek medical care if it is swollen three times the normal size. 

In the meantime you can take Ibuprofen according to directions "if you are able to take it" to reduce the pain and swelling and keep the area clean.  Also make sure your tetanus vaccine is up to date, if not, I can't stress enough how much you need to get a booster shot. 

I'm so sorry this happened to you especially since you are doing such kind work with feeding ferals.  I hope you heal quickly

Let us know how you are!

Cat bites and scratches are not to be messed with if they swell and get red. I had to have 6 weeks od daily treatment when I was seriously scratched and bitten a few years ago. I would see a doctor asap.

Hi guys,

Yes I'm up to date with my tetanus shot. Not surprising that this has happened to me before in my line of cat rescue work. :lol3: I took an Advil and it seemed to help. It is not *as swollen today but its still a bit puffy. It is not hurting or anything, I'm just worried. I will probably go to the walk in clinic and get it checked out.

Let us know how it is. Glad you are getting medical care today. Soak soak soak soak! Warm water with dish soap in it, Epsom salts are good too.

I can't offer any more advice than what was already given, so I just want to say that I hope it heals quickly.

Hope your finger is ok now. I have been scratched and bitten by the barn cat and it hurts, but I've never had any wounds swell up. That would concern me. I would still go to the ER or a doctor. Ever if the swelling is going down it still doesn't sound good.

AW, Jen.... How is that finger today??

Finger is much much better! No longer puffy or swollen, no redness or anything. Scratch is healing up with some Polysporin quite nicely! I spoke to a nurse today at a walk in clinic and she said it should heal up on it's own, and that it looks like it is not infected. So yay!

TY Lauren for the hugs and vibes!!!!

Yay! Yeah, if you're slightly allergic to cats, that can make a scratch or bite swell up. Happens to me with even a teeny scratch. Glad to hear you're all better!

I'm not sure if I'm allergic to kitties...I know I do get sneezy and itchy eyes if I touch my face after petting them, could that be considered an allergy? Anyway, I do not intend on getting scratched or bit again - next time I'm feeding Honey I'm wearing gloves!

Glad to hear that you're better

Cat scratches are an occupational hazard with most of us I'm afraid   It's still nothing to play around with. 

We were doing a TNR and I was bit on my pinky finger.  Ugh, caused an immediate reaction with swelling, pain and loss of feeling in the top part of my finger.  Ended up on antibiotics for two weeks and one sore pinky!