Should I worry about this cat scratch?

Hi, I've taken in a neighbours cat that has been pretty much neglected and 3 days ago while I was patting her tummy and she seemed to be enjoying it she lashed out and scratched my right hand. I immediately washed it with an soap and water and put some antiseptic on it. Being on my right hand it has been getting dirty, washed, moved and stretched. One part of the scratch is looking a bit red and swollen now - do you think I need medical care? I don't want to be a hypochondriac but I've had cat scratches before and I dont remember the swelling still being there after 3 days - but I have a bad memory!!! . Anyone know the best thing to do? (I've just put some more antiseptic cream on it too - I don't think we have polysporin or neosporin creams in australia or any antibiotic ointment that you don't need a prescription for). Thanks!

Cat scratches can be pretty serious. I'd probably call my doctor, just to be on the safe side. I hope it's nothing, but I think you should call. Good luck.

I agree.  Red and swollen is not a good thing. That's a sign of infection.  Seeing that you don't have access to antibiotic creams without a prescription, I suggest going to your family doctor.

A tip to keeping a hand wound dressing clean and dry is to wear a rubber glove when having to put your hand into water. 

Thanks for the responses. Popped into a dr today who gave me some antibiotics and an antibiotic cream too - hopefully I'll be back to normal in a minute!

Do/did you have a temperature?

I didn't check if I had a temperature to be honest ( but neither did the doctor).. It probably is best to take the antibiotics anyway just in case. With 2 doses in me and having used the cream for about 12 hours, the scratch is already looking less inflamed