Cat scratch - when to get it looked at?

[Chancewouldbeafinethlng]

Ds had his face scratched by dcat earlier. I’ve cleaned it and put a layer of germoline on but it looks v sore. Is there anything else I can do?

** it's bites that usually need to be seen and prescribed antibiotics, obviously if the scratch goes nasty then you will need antibiotics but as a rule of thumb bites are treated with antibiotics as standard ( as told to me by an A and E nurse)

Hang on - your child THREW the cat?

If this was a dog MN would be up in arms saying it was dangerous and should be put down! Not suggesting that your cat is dangerous, but there are some double standards

Not really. How many people have been savaged and killed by domestic cats compared with dogs?

This illustrates perfectly why the rescue I foster for won't rehome cats to houses with young DC, who can't be trusted not to mistreat the animals that have often had traumatic lives prior to rescue.

Cat scratches generally scar. I would put some Aloe Vera on it once it has started to heal over properly as may help minimise the scar.

Cat scratches generally scar?

Bloody hell, I must be related to Wolverine, then, as with the number I earned and fully deserved because I wanted cuddles and they didn't because they weren't MY cat, who willingly volunteered as my best friend and plaything as a kid, along with the pure accidents and the few accidents as a cat owner myself, I should look like Edward Scissorhands.

Bathing it daily with boiled water that has a teaspoon of salt dissolved in it will deal with the vast majority of bacteria before it's had a chance to multiply. GP if the redness starts spreading away from the immediate outline of the scratch.

Poor DS and poor bloody cat.

I was scratched badly as a child and had no issues at all with infection. However a couple of years ago a cat scratched my arm and the cut would not heal properly so I would definitely say to keep a close eye on it

I get what you are saying Barbara but he is nearly 9 and should definitely know better! He’s not a young child any more.

He’s faced the concequences of it now anyway. He’s usually very good with the cats, we all adore them so it was a bit of a shock.

Cut looks ok so far. Thanks for all the advice

Can you please tell me, did it leave a scar? My son has a scratch like this and I am afraid it will leave a permanent mark.

@Bethan369 how long did it take for it to heal?