Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Scratch On The Skin By Cat Claws
Question: Hello Doctor, My son's hand was scrached by cats claw. Do I need to give him tetness injection or do anything else. The cat is not a pet. My son is 6 yrs old.
Brief Answer:
Superficial scratches do not need vaccination.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
How deep are the scratches? Can you please attach a photo of it? Has your son tetanus vaccination before?
Generally if his last vaccination was no longer than 5 years ago, no need to give any vaccination. If the scratches are just superficial, there is no swelling, redness pain of the soft tissues, we can assume that the bacteria could not reach deeper tissues. So also superficial scratches do not need any vaccination.
If the scratch was deep, antibiotic would be advisable. Cat scratch wounds sometimes heal pretty bad as they are infected.
Hope this helps. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Superficial scratches do not need vaccination.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
How deep are the scratches? Can you please attach a photo of it? Has your son tetanus vaccination before?
Generally if his last vaccination was no longer than 5 years ago, no need to give any vaccination. If the scratches are just superficial, there is no swelling, redness pain of the soft tissues, we can assume that the bacteria could not reach deeper tissues. So also superficial scratches do not need any vaccination.
If the scratch was deep, antibiotic would be advisable. Cat scratch wounds sometimes heal pretty bad as they are infected.
Hope this helps. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
pls find attached photographs.
Brief Answer:
You may wait and see.
Detailed Answer:
This scratches look superficial. But cat has sharp ends of the nails. So you never know.
In my opinion you should wait and see. If tomorrow, redness will get larger (even a little bit), go to a doctor and get antibiotic.
Tetanus shot is questionable. It is always safer to have it (I would give it to my kid, If I were you). So check if he was vaccinated in last 5 years. If not, its better to give him one dosage. Just as a precaution.
You may wait and see.
Detailed Answer:
This scratches look superficial. But cat has sharp ends of the nails. So you never know.
In my opinion you should wait and see. If tomorrow, redness will get larger (even a little bit), go to a doctor and get antibiotic.
Tetanus shot is questionable. It is always safer to have it (I would give it to my kid, If I were you). So check if he was vaccinated in last 5 years. If not, its better to give him one dosage. Just as a precaution.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
