Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Cat scratched my son, will it scar?

120 replies

Aredhel · 25/02/2023 23:16

A cat scratched my sons face. He just walked by. I am so afraid it will leave a scar. Will it?

Cat scratched my son, will it scar?
Cat scratched my son, will it scar?
OP posts:
Dillydallydilly · 25/02/2023 23:18

Fuck me that is close to his eye. Is it your cat or someone else’s?

so sorry OP, that must have been really scary for both of you.

(I say this as a cat owner and cat lover)

ouch321 · 25/02/2023 23:21

Scars fade over time don't worry.

aSofaNearYou · 25/02/2023 23:22

I've never known a cat scratch scar so personally I'd say not. They look angry at first but generally calm quickly.

Dotcheck · 25/02/2023 23:23

Vitamin E oil may help

Dillydallydilly · 25/02/2023 23:24

I’m going to get flamed for this but I would go to an urgent care centre / an and e so they can make sure it’s cleaned properly to reduce risk or scarring.

OhNoNotThatAgain · 25/02/2023 23:24

No, I doubt it would scar, but if it starts to look infected in a couple of days, get him seen as he may need antibiotics.

CheshireCats · 25/02/2023 23:28

Ffs. It does not need a visit to urgent care right now. It's a scratch.
Put a bit of antiseptic cream on it and keep an eye on it. It won't scar - it's a scratch.

blebbleb · 25/02/2023 23:29

Seriously, A&E?? What a ridiculous suggestion

secular39 · 25/02/2023 23:29

Ohno :( poor baby.

It won't scar unless you take good care of it.

First go to A&E to rule out signs of infections due to the cat scratch.

Clean the wound with a mild soap and water and keep the wound moist by using Vaseline and covering it with a bandage. You can also alternate by using hydrocollic bandages (I think that's how you spell it anyway). Once healed, use a mineral base p50 sunscreen so the sun does not darken the wound. You can also use silicone patches to lessen the scar. If you keep to the above religiously, you will see minimal scarring.

FluffletheMeow · 25/02/2023 23:30

Ouch! But I don't think it will scar. Cat scratches generally don't.
They can get infected though. I would say antiseptic/salt water and GP if it starts to look nasty.

Pinkbonbon · 25/02/2023 23:32

Cat scratches can be really nasty. Like, really nasty. Keep a close watch for infection. Clean it well.

It may scar in the short term but unlikely it would be perminant.

CC4712 · 25/02/2023 23:33

Are you in the UK OP? If the scratch was abroad, you need to see GP or urgent care about rabies vaccines for him.

Look out for infection and cat scratch syndrome. Friend caught this from her in cat!

Once the wound is healed you can use a silicone based scar reduction gel. i haven't used it, but the reviews are promising- esp for a new scar. Its expensive, but you only use a tiny amount so goes a long way. There are also silicone strips, but the gel is likely better on the face. You can order online or buy in larger pharmacies. Best of luck x

Agosleeflorrick · 25/02/2023 23:36

My DS had similar - it has left a scar and I’m using silicone scar tape to try and reduce it, have heard the silicone reduces redness. It happened about 2 months ago so early days. I’ve read up religiously about scars and everything I’ve read is that scars do fade so don’t worry to much.

AliceTheeCamel · 25/02/2023 23:36

secular39 · 25/02/2023 23:29

Ohno :( poor baby.

It won't scar unless you take good care of it.

First go to A&E to rule out signs of infections due to the cat scratch.

Clean the wound with a mild soap and water and keep the wound moist by using Vaseline and covering it with a bandage. You can also alternate by using hydrocollic bandages (I think that's how you spell it anyway). Once healed, use a mineral base p50 sunscreen so the sun does not darken the wound. You can also use silicone patches to lessen the scar. If you keep to the above religiously, you will see minimal scarring.

FFS totally ridiculous to suggest going to a&e at this point.

Put some antiseptic cream on it. Sudocrem if you have any would be fine. Or germolene or something similar. If it gets spreading redness and feels hot then gp or ring 111.

Dammitthisisshit · 25/02/2023 23:40

Agree with keeping it clean. No need for A&E!

DD got a nasty cat scratch on her forehead. It did look like it was going to scar as she kept picking it so it was scabbed for months. A few years on and you can’t really see it, think it will fully go soon.

neversocks · 25/02/2023 23:43

I don't think it will scar, but you need to check with your gp about infection risk. When I was scratched badly by a cat (my fault) I needed a tetanus booster. It can get nasty really quickly if the infection isn't stopped.

TreaterAnita · 25/02/2023 23:47

I had a very deep and very long cat scratch on my forearm (as in properly drew blood) which took an age to heal and was very red for a while after but there is literally not a sign of it now. Just keep it clean and I’m sure he’ll be fine.

Dillydallydilly · 25/02/2023 23:47

It remains impossible to get a GP appointment in my area within two weeks. So A&E / UCC would be my recommendation so as not to potentially risk facial scarring. I realise others might actually be able to see their GPs…

from a picture can’t tell how deep it is - whether just a scratch or deeper.

Dillydallydilly · 25/02/2023 23:48

TreaterAnita · 25/02/2023 23:47

I had a very deep and very long cat scratch on my forearm (as in properly drew blood) which took an age to heal and was very red for a while after but there is literally not a sign of it now. Just keep it clean and I’m sure he’ll be fine.

Yeah this is generally my experience too - I’ve had lots of cat scratches and I don’t think any have scarred.

bamboonights · 25/02/2023 23:50

I doubt it. I once had a huge laceration from a kitten who decided to land on my neck. Looked like I'd been operated on but no scar was left.

Rebel2 · 26/02/2023 00:48

I think it'll be fine
Here's an operation I had, to show healing - I did nothing except put body lotion on if it itched
(And had a tattoo cover up!)
You can just see the scar in the second photo but it's barely there, I have to point it out to people

Cat scratched my son, will it scar?
Cat scratched my son, will it scar?
WinterMusings · 26/02/2023 00:53

Dotcheck · 25/02/2023 23:23

Vitamin E oil may help

But I don't think you're supposed to use it until the wound has completely healed over.

Clymene · 26/02/2023 00:54

No it won't scar. What was he doing to the cat?

fantasmasgoria1 · 26/02/2023 01:09

Why on earth would a poster think a&e is appropriate? The staff would be very pissed off if someone wasted time with a cat scratch. You can easily clean the scratch without any trouble and just keep it clean. It will heal decently. I have a cat who is only just an adult and will behave like a kitten. He scratches me a lot whilst he is playing. It heals well.

LadyJ2023 · 26/02/2023 01:10

Nah won't scar our bairns had many a scratch from teasing the cats lol no scars yet