What should I do if a child gets scratched by a cat?

If a child is scratched by a cat, it is generally necessary to promptly rinse the wound with water, disinfect it, perform debridement, suture if needed, and receive a rabies vaccine.

1. Prompt rinsing with water

Since animals such as cats and dogs may carry the rabies virus, if a child is scratched by a cat, the wound should be immediately washed with running clean water or alkaline solution.

2. Disinfection

After a child is scratched by a cat, disinfection using alcohol or iodophor should also be performed to further eliminate pathogens and reduce the risk of viral infection.

3. Debridement

Seek medical attention promptly. A doctor will perform debridement according to the severity of the wound, removing contaminants to help lower the risk of wound infection.

4. Suturing if necessary

If the wound is large, suturing may be required to close the wound and promote healing of the skin and soft tissues.

5. Rabies vaccination

It is also essential to receive the rabies vaccine promptly to prevent the virus from entering the body through the bloodstream and causing rabies, which could seriously affect health.

After receiving the rabies vaccine, it is recommended that the patient maintain local hygiene, avoid getting the injection site wet too early, eat a light diet, and avoid spicy, irritating foods or allergenic foods to prevent adverse reactions.