What makes cat scratches sting

Research suggests a cat may get these bacteria from fleas. The bacteria are passed from an infected cat to a human after the cat licks an open wound or bites or scratches human skin hard enough to break the surface of the skin. Kittens younger than one year of age are more likely to scratch, increasing the likelihood of infection.

Cat scratch disease is caused by a bacterium carried in the cat saliva. The symptoms of cat scratch disease may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. Diagnosis is based on a complete history, including a history of being scratched by a cat or kitten, a physical exam, and sometimes blood tests.

Avoid being scratched or bitten by cats or kittens. If scratched or bitten, wash the area right away with soap and water. Do not allow cats to lick wounds you may have. If a cat scratch or bite becomes red or swollen and you develop flu-like symptoms, including headache, decreased appetite, fatigue, joint pain, or fever, contact your healthcare provider. Health Home Conditions and Diseases.

What causes cat scratch disease? Who is at risk for cat scratch disease? The greater the trauma, the greater the potential for swelling, exposure to the blood supply, and chance of infection, he adds. According to Dr. Matthew Levy, an associate professor of emergency medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, there are factors to consider immediately following a cat scratch. Wounds to the hands and feet can be more prone to infection, Levy warns, and scratches to the face or other areas of the body can cause cosmetic damage in the form of scarring.

A scratch to the eye needs immediate care. The risk for infection is higher for people with weakened or compromised immune systems, Levy says. An over-the-counter antibiotic cream can be applied and the wound covered with a dry, sterile dressing until it heals, Levy says.

According to Levy, signs of an infected wound include changes around the wound site, increased redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, pain with movement, or pus drainage. Signs of a generalized body infection include fever, chills, body aches, fatigue, and swollen glands. Swollen glands lymph nodes that develop within a week involving an area of the body that was scratched can be an indication of a bacterial infection. If an unknown or feral cat scratches you, Levy recommends using the same first aid treatment, but also enlisting the help of animal control or your local health department.

Depending on the severity of the scratch and whether it was accompanied by a bite, the animal may need to be identified and quarantined or tested for signs of disease, such as rabies. According to Mahaney, one of the most serious risks associated with cat scratches is cat-scratch disease CSD , also referred to as cat-scratch fever.

Location of cat scratches: Another reason that cat scratches hurt and sting so much is because they are usually in sensitive areas. Most cat scratches occur on the hand, arm, or face, which have many nerve cells and can amplify the stinging sensation. Cat claws are dirty: More likely than not, your cat probably scratched something before they scratched you. If your cat scratched some dirt of wood before you, particles from these materials may still be on their nails and thus reach your skin.

These foreign materials can certainly cause your scratch to sting. That is why we highly recommend washing and cleaning your cat scratch immediately after it occurs.

Aside from the stinging, cat scratches also hurt so much because they almost always cause bleeding. This has a phycological effect on the brain, as you can sometimes think something hurts more the second you see blood. Cat scratches also hurt a lot because the scratch can linger for days before it heals, and can cause stinging when you sweat or come in contact with water.

Excessive physical activity in the region of the scratch can also cause it to hurt more. If your cat is also biting a lot, you should check out our article on why does my cat bite my feet? The best way to stop a cat from scratching you is to get them declawed. The best way to do this is with safe guard cat nail clippers. Cat scratches burn for many of the same reasons, including the sharpness of nails, deep wounds, and scratching sensitive skins. Your cat scratch will also burn if the scratch transmits cat scratch disease.