What should I do if my skin is scratched and broken by a mouse?

Generally, the management of a skin break caused by a rat scratch mainly includes thoroughly cleaning the wound, proper disinfection, timely vaccination, appropriate medication use, and adequate follow-up care. Specific measures are as follows:

1. Thoroughly clean the wound

Rats carry various bacteria and viruses. After a skin break from a scratch, immediately rinse the wound with running water for at least 15 minutes. Gently rub the area around the wound during rinsing to remove residual saliva and debris, reducing the chance of pathogen entry and lowering the risk for subsequent complications.

2. Proper disinfection

After cleaning, apply iodophor or medical alcohol to the wound and surrounding skin for thorough disinfection. Iodophor is less irritating and can be directly applied to broken skin; alcohol should avoid direct contact with the open wound and only be used on intact surrounding skin to kill surface pathogens and prevent infection.

3. Timely vaccination

Rats may transmit rabies and hemorrhagic fever viruses. Regardless of wound depth, seek medical attention promptly. A doctor will assess whether rabies vaccination is necessary. If you are in a region where hemorrhagic fever is prevalent or have a history of exposure, follow medical advice to receive the epidemic hemorrhagic fever vaccine to prevent serious infectious diseases.

4. Appropriate medication use

To prevent bacterial infection, topical application of mupirocin ointment may be used as directed by a physician. If the wound becomes red, swollen, or inflamed, oral amoxicillin capsules may be prescribed. For allergic reactions such as itching, loratadine hydrochloride capsules can be taken to prevent scratching that could worsen the wound.

5. Follow-up care

Keep the wound clean and dry, avoiding contact with water and contaminants. Regularly change sterile dressings. Ensure adequate rest and avoid overexertion. Maintain a diet rich in protein and vitamins to enhance immunity and support wound healing and recovery.

Complete the full course of vaccination as prescribed—do not discontinue treatment prematurely. Closely monitor the wound during recovery. If symptoms such as redness, pus, fever, or dizziness occur, seek immediate medical attention. Implement household rodent control measures, clean hidden dirt corners, and prevent future incidents.