Got bit by a cat 2 1/2 weeks ago, small area still raised and red.

Madpanda

I got bit by a cat about 2 1/2 weeks ago at the animal shelter, the cat was fully vaccinated. I immediately cleaned the wound with soap water and neosporin. As soon as I got home (~ 1 hour later) I cleaned it again using hydrogen peroxide and betadine. I kept it bandaged and cleaned/re-betadined for about 5 days.

3 of the puncture wounds are basically invisible at this point, but one of them still has a red bump around the area, roughly the size of an eraser head. I have pulled the scab off this puncture a few times which probably doesn't help.

Should I be worried?

I did not go to the doctor because it did not appear infected at all, and they would have to notify animal control. I do sign a waiver at the shelter but I am still concerned about what might happen if animal control got involved. The cat who bit me is very docile normally but I grabbed him while he was trying to get out of a cage (new cats are put into caged instead of just being thrust into the free roam cat room).

Xaquin

I AM NOT A DOCTOR!

If you pull a scab off before it's healed 100% you'll usually find a small red bump about the size of the scab you pulled off. That said, 2 1/2 weeks seems like a long time to heal from a smallish puncture wound.

Enc

If the cat's tooth went pretty deep into your arm that wouldn't surprise me. If it's a mostly surface/ graze sort of bite I would be a bit curious about it. If you have insurance you might want to consider a GP visit, if nothing else than to calm your mind.

Alternatively: You have the cat plague. You will turn into a meowing zombie within the week.

SammyF

Sounds like a bacterial infection to me. I'd consider seeing a GP (even if you don't have health insurance) and ask him to look at it. If he agrees that there's a probable infection, he'll give you a Z-pack or something.

bowen

Is it warm to the touch @Madpanda ?

Madpanda

Not anymore than the rest of my hand @bowen


I have insurance and they have free medical services at work. I'll see about that.

bowen

Probably just scabbing still then. I've noticed it takes a ridiculous long time for wounds on my hand to heal, especially the older I get.

I have a cut on my hand from about 4 months ago that's just starting to heal the scar at this point (scabbed quickly, took forever to fall off though). I got one on my foot 3 days ago and the scar is almost gone. Probably something to do with the location.

evanismyname

If there is no red streaking on your arm you're probably fine

supabeast

Cat bites can results in mild scarring, the raised area is probably a little scar tissue settling down. I still have a small bump from a cat that bit my hand around twenty-five years ago.

Bliss 101

Yeah, cat bites and scratches tend to get mildly infected and often leave scars. I still have a couple of scars on my arms from my cat's attacks, and he's been dead for five years or so.

edit: The biting and scratching happened when the cat was still alive.

Jam Warrior

Not a doctor, no claims, yadda, yadda.

If it doesn't hurt, it doesn't itch and it isn't spreading, just stop picking off the freaking scab and leave it to heal. It's fine.

The bump is probably some mild scarring from picking off the scab and the less than ideal healing conditions you gave it in the early days. 5 days bandaged and washing is way overkill for a small puncture wound. As soon as nothing is actively oozing your skin needs to be left alone and dry to heal properly. I imagine it won't go away completely now but it will fade with time and the body's natuaral renewal processes to the point where you don't notice it any more unless you really go looking.

WildEEP

If you can't resist pulling off a scab, use the artificial kind. Put some neosporin on a large band-aid pad and put it over the scratch.
Rinse and repeat for all the times you feel the need to yank off/replace the bandage.

Gaslight

Are you 100% certain you haven't become a werecat?

Madpanda

Went to the company provided doctor, its not infected at all and they didn't even ask about the shelter info. Got a tetanus shot anyway because I haven't had one in 20 years.

I do not believe I am a were-cat, everyone snacks on meow-mix right?

Magic Pink

Bliss 101 wrote: »

Yeah, cat bites and scratches tend to get mildly infected and often leave scars. I still have a couple of scars on my arms from my cat's attacks, and he's been dead for five years or so.

edit: The biting and scratching happened when the cat was still alive.

That would have been story of the year but then you had to go and edit.