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Hi There. I Have A Paranoia Of Bats. I Was

Posted on Mon, 4 Nov 2019

Question: hi there. I have a paranoia of bats. I was in a grocery store parking lot tonight and thought I saw a shadow in the distance of what I coorlated with a bat. I have health anxiety and am terrified of bats biting and scratching me and getting rabies. My boyfriend did not see this bat so I feel like it was just my head thinking that. Then my mind proceeded to convince me taht the bat flew into my hand and scratched me and I just didn’t notice? But I felt no contact with the bat or pain. I started searching my hand after and found this scratch which now my head is telling me is a bat scratch. Basically what I’m asking you is if a bat would in contact with my hand and I was fully conscious at the time and it scratch me would I have noticed it’s contact with me and likely have felt immediate pain? Do you think this is just my fear trying to convince me that something bad has happened? Again... ( saw a shadow not sure if it was bat, then looked down at hand and saw this scratch (picture attached) but no known contact with a bat or pain, if I was conscious would I have felt and noticed if a bat was in contact with me at all) I need peace of mind please!!!

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using Ask a doctor service.

I have carefully gone through your query and understand your concern. Let me tell you that bats are not the only animals that can transmit rabies. Humans and all other mammals can. You are not paranoid about the people around, you need not be paranoid about bats as well. You did not see the bad scratch you there is no reason to call that describes originated from a bat. You could have scratch yourself inadvertently with things around. I do not think there's anything to be paranoid about just the scratch. I have checked the attached image and do not think a bat could have caused it.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (6 hours later)

Thank you.
Would I have felt and known if a bat made contact with me at all?

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Definitely

Detailed Answer:
Definitely you would have known

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (17 hours later)

Okay thank you.
And so you’re also saying, it does not identify as a bat scratch?

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (11 hours later)

Sorry to bother you again but I saw this red mark on my hard today but does not break the skin or hurt. Was scared it was a bat scratch but now it has turned into more like 2 red dots also no puncture in my skin just red and am very scared. Does my picture resemble a bat bite at all or would a bat bit have bled and scabber over?

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Does not look like a bat scratch

Detailed Answer:
Based on my understanding, your scratch does not look like a bat scratch. But in case you are apprehensive it would be a good idea to get yourself clinically examined by visiting a doctor.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad