Scratched. Should I have anything to worry about?

I just took in a stray kitten that came up to me last night as I was walking out of Family Dollar. He likes to be held and doesn't scratch or bite even when playing. But about 20 minutes ago he thought I was going to put him in the sink while my mom was doing dishes and he dug into my chest with his claws. It hurt like crazy.

Should I be worried since I haven't had a chance to take him to the vet to get a check up? I just found him last night, and I was more worried about the safety of my other two cats but they're up to date on their shots, so I thought it'd be okay to keep the stray in the house, too.

Thanks for your advice!

Any cat scratch or bite has the potential to get infected. Clean it well with soap and water and keep a close eye on it. If there are any signs of redness, heat, swelling or draingage, or if you get tender lumps in your armpits, groins or neck, see you doctor right away. Becky

I second that, however if he bites you that is a different story. That needs immediate attention (I went through that with a stray last year)

Use a betadine scrub and brush over the wound then rinse in as hot of water as you can handle. Becky has already given you the danger signs to look out for

Is getting a lump under the armpit = CSD? I have told the doctors that I was scratched by my cat and they still aren't keen on diagnosing me with CSD. Weird.

Cat Scratch Disease causes a skin lesion, usually a red crusted area, at the site of the scratch about 3-10 days after the scratch; Then in about two weeks there is an enlarged lymph node affecting the area where the lymph drains, for example if the scratch is on the hand, then the lymph node would be swollen under the arm on that side. The lymph node may begin to drain through the skin. About half of people will get a fever, some will get fatigue and headache; There are some rarer symptoms too, like conjunctivitis, encephalopathy, and others. If you are very concerned that your symptoms are cat scratch disease, you can ask you doctor to do a blood test for antibody titers for Bartonella Henselae; Treatment is local heat and pain medicine. Sometimes the doctor will drain the lymph node to relieve pain. Antibiotics may or may not help. It is a self limiting disease that can last from 2-5 months.
Becky

Thanks for the info Becky.