Infected cat scratch? A worry?

[ashley9091]

Hey,

My cat scratched me last night on my wrist. Today its red around it , with what I can best describe as a strange bug bite looking lump in the middle. Its quite itchy too. I also feel a bit hot and have a headache. Do i need to bother worrying? My friend has had sepsis in the past so I am particularly worried about things like infections etc.

Thanks

You should see the GP yes as it may be cat scratch fever.

You can get an infection from a cat scratch. I would call 111. Don't leave it as they can escalate very quickly.

If it is itchy rather than throbbing then it is most likely to be an allergic reaction of some sort. Try taking some antihistamine such as Piriton. Antihistamine cream should work within about 10 minutes. See if that calms it down. Cat scratch fever is rare so it's unlikely to be that, but if antihistamines do nothing, then you need to take medical advice asap.

I've had cats all my life, had loads of scratches (and also ended up in hospital on an antibiotic drip for several days with an infected cat bite) so fairly experienced in this area!!

Just out of interest - are you up to date with your tetanus booster?

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply.

I'm afraid I don't have any Antihistamine cream etc but I could go and get some, my DH is out at the moment so I am home with our DS. He is due back soon though. Sorry, not sure on the booster! I know I had one as a kid, I'm 29 now.

Thanks again

The last time I had symptoms from a cat scratch similar to what you are describing, the gp put me on a 10 day course of very unpleasant oral antibiotics. I would call and make an appointment.

Yes it is a worry - you need antibiotics. And an up to date tetanus booster.

Like @supremelybaffled I have a lifetime of cats and there are scratches which are nothing (the vast majority) and the scratches that get you sent to hospital.

I've had both so cat scratches are not to be messed with.

My cat dug a claw in my finger a couple of weeks ago. Boy! Did it bleed! Claret all over the place, and it was very painful. But no infection. I was lucky! I hope you'll be lucky too, OP. Go and get it checked out.

Antibiotics are probably needed. Sorry but cat scratches are notoriously nasty.

My cat got scratched by another cat recently and ended up with a huge abscess and a fever and almost died. So yes, it can definitely get infected and you should have it checked out.

Dear OP, cat scratches can lead to very nasty infections. Have a low threshold for seeking professional advice especially if you have systemic symptoms like a fever/chills/headache. I would assume it is an infection before I assumed it was an allergic reaction (allergic reactions to a cat scratch would be quite unusual unless it is a reaction to a dressing). I am a HCP and I would be calling 111 for advice if it was me.

I get an almost immediate allergic reaction if I get a cat scratch. I got accidentally scratched by one of my 4 yesterday funnily enough. Within a few minutes it was angry and itching like crazy (the scratch, not the cat). I get scratched on a regular basis and familiar with how I react, so I ignored it. Today there's nothing but a slightly scabby line. If it was sore and red this evening and still like it in the morning, I'd probably call my GP and ask for a prescription for antibiotics. Our surgery is shit hot on sepsis so I know they'd just do it.

Hope it's better tomorrow OP. Have you tried soaking it in some water with TCP?

@Dillydollydingdong

My cat dug a claw in my finger a couple of weeks ago. Boy! Did it bleed! Claret all over the place, and it was very painful. But no infection. I was lucky! I hope you'll be lucky too, OP. Go and get it checked out.

It's handy when things do bleed like that, because the blood helps to wash any germs out of the injury site.

Definitely call 111. ESP If you have a fever. These things can turn into sepsis. My son was nipped on the finger by our pup and he ended up being admitted into hospital for two nights for antibiotics on a drip and observation. I was told bites or scratches need to be watched carefully for any sign of infection. Any sign of infection go to emergency. W my son, his finger was slightly swollen. Barely noticeable and no fever. My dh said I was crazy to go to A&e. I took my son anyway at 9pm. Had to call my dh by 11pm to get his butt down to the hospital bc our son was being admitted and getting X-rays. Years later all is fine, dog is an angel and my son loves her to bits....we all do. And he was fine after getting iv antibiotics.

You need a Tetanus vax immediately!

I hope you got abx.

It brings a new meaning to the memes saying the chances of your cat killing you are low but never zero doesn’t it?.