What should I do if the back of my hand was scratched by a stray cat two days ago?

If the back of your hand is scratched by a stray cat, immediately rinse the wound, thoroughly disinfect it, assess the depth of the injury, promptly receive vaccinations, and monitor wound healing. Stray cats may carry pathogens such as the rabies virus, so proper management is essential to reduce the risk of infection. If the wound is deep, continues bleeding, or shows signs of redness, swelling, or pus, seek medical attention promptly.

1. Immediately rinse the wound: Use running water or soapy water to continuously flush the wound for 15–20 minutes to remove surface contaminants and reduce the risk of infection. Gently squeeze the surrounding tissue during rinsing to help expel contaminated blood.

2. Thoroughly disinfect: After rinsing, apply iodine tincture or medical alcohol to the wound and surrounding skin. Avoid using highly irritating disinfectants. Wipe the area 2–3 times to ensure complete coverage and effective disinfection.

3. Assess wound depth: Check whether the wound is deep or penetrates through all layers of the skin. Superficial wounds can be simply bandaged after disinfection, but deeper wounds should not be self-treated. Seek medical evaluation promptly to determine if surgical cleaning or suturing is needed.

4. Receive vaccines promptly: Stray cats pose a high risk of carrying the rabies virus. You should go to the hospital within 24 hours to receive the rabies vaccine. If the wound is near the head or particularly deep, rabies immunoglobulin injection may also be required as directed by a physician.

5. Monitor wound healing: Check the wound daily for signs of infection such as redness, increased pain, or pus discharge. Also watch for systemic symptoms like fever or fatigue, and seek timely medical intervention if any abnormalities occur.

Keep the wound clean and dry, avoid contact with water and scratching, wear loose, breathable clothing to minimize friction, maintain a light diet avoiding spicy or stimulating foods, and follow a regular sleep schedule to boost immunity and promote healing.