Many are familiar with such cute creatures as cats. It's no secret that sometimes, regardless of whether it's a pet or a street pet, they sometimes bite and scratch. Because it is rarely seen as an injury to be feared, no one expects any serious consequences. However, if she bites her hand hard, swelling may occur. When you are bitten by a cat, your hand is swollen, what to do and how to treat the wound is necessary to know, since possible complications can be very serious.

Cat bite, features of injury

Despite the fact that now there are many species of these domestic animals, by nature all cats and cats are predators. Their claws and teeth are well adapted for hunting small (or similar in size) prey. The cat family also includes larger individuals, such as lions, tigers, jaguars and others, but we will not consider the consequences of their bites. Ordinary cats have rather thin, long claws and teeth that allow them to bite deeply and penetrate the muscle cover. Often people are deceived by the severity of the injury, because at first glance it is only a small wound in diameter.

Unlike dog bites, after a cat bite, the resulting wound heals for a rather long time. This is due to the fact that her saliva contains many bacteria, and the type of wound due to the thinness of her teeth and claws is closed. Naturally, with a long course of restoration of the skin, scars will form. This damage often requires a full-fledged treatment, which includes a number of antibiotics in its course.

Bacteria that are dangerous and harmful to humans are found in the mouths of 85% of domestic cats and 99% of street cats (even if it is a kitten). The only difference is that the domestic individual rarely bites its owner "fully" and their fangs do not penetrate too deep.

In other cases, in a larger number of episodes, the immune system copes with the bacteria that have entered the body. In the process of this, swelling is formed, often swelling affects not only the injured area, but also neighboring areas (if a cat has bitten a hand, then fingers and a shoulder can swell).

Possible negative consequences

Complications are something to think about if your injury does not look like a couple of small wounds, and the bitten area is red, swollen and sore. How could this possibly be dangerous?

• If you have been bitten by a cat, your hand is swollen and this condition does not go away for more than 24 hours, this is a sign that the immune system has not coped with the foreign invasion. If it is weakened, or you are already ill with something, the danger of the reproduction of any bacteria increases;
• In addition to the fact that the chance of complications depends on your body, it increases the type of wound, which gives access to internal tissues and covers the access of oxygen;
• If you ignore treatment, there is a possibility of developing sepsis.
• The bite of an outdoor cat is often a route of infection with rabies;
• If bitten by a domestic cat that has the opportunity to walk along the street (or a stray animal) - there is a considerable risk of catching tetanus. Its development in this case will be very rapid, thanks to good (for infection) conditions;
• Trauma to internal tissues. If, without looking at the aesthetic part, it can be said that the upper epithelium heals quite simply, this cannot be said about muscles, joints, connective tissue;
• Chance of infection with pasteurellosis;
• Danger of infection with lymphoreticulosis. In this case, from a cat bite (or if it scratched you), local edema first appears, and then a generalized infection develops (any part of the body can swell: face, leg, torso);

If your body is weakened by something (diseases, weather conditions, fatigue, stress, other injuries or other circumstances), then the chance of manifestation of any consequences increases significantly and does not exclude the possibility that there will be several of them.

Bitten by a cat and swollen hand, when to see a doctor?

Despite all the possible complications, medical assistance is not always required. It is not necessary to immediately run to the doctor if the affected areas swell a little (this is a reaction to the fight against bacteria). You may need to consult a doctor if:

• You fail to stop the bleeding;
• The area of ​​injury is extensive;
• The resulting wounds are localized in the face, neck, any joints;
• Bitten by a wild / street cat;
• If the inflammation only progresses, the areas become reddened, swollen and sore;
• Increased body temperature;
• The general condition of the bitten worsened;
• Pus began to form on the wound;

First aid

If the injury is not serious and does not fall under the description above, then a number of certain manipulations can be performed to improve the condition. If the cat bit the hand is swollen, what to do in such a situation?

• Wash the wound with running water and soap;
• Treat the affected area with hydrogen peroxide and repeat the first step;
• If the cat has made a superficial bite and only the capillaries are damaged, you should not artificially stop the bleeding. It will end on its own in a short time and, in addition, part of the pathogenic organisms will come out with the blood;
• If the bleeding is more severe, apply a pressure bandage;
• Lubricate the edges (healthy skin) with iodine, brilliant green, alcohol or another similar preparation. In no case do not pour such medicines into the wound itself. This can cause a number of unnecessary complications and a chemical burn.
• Bandage the wound to protect it from further infection. No need to use ointments, adhesive tape and massive bandages. In the absence of oxygen, it is much easier for bacteria to multiply.
• If there is a need to visit a doctor, but there is no opportunity at the moment, then the applied bandage must be soaked with Levomekol or medical alcohol, it must be changed periodically.

If within two days everything has passed and there are no signs of infection, further treatment is unlikely to be required.

When the cat has bitten the leg is swollen and reddened, it is worth repeating the same steps that are recommended for the treatment of the upper limbs.

Bitten by a cat swollen hand, how to treat?

Before visiting the doctor, you should not use any medications (antibiotics, ointments, gels). The reason is quite simple - you do not know what exactly caused the swelling. If, after a cat bite, the hand is swollen, what to do now can only be said by a specialist, having made a number of some analyzes of the scratched or bitten place. However, separate procedures are still carried out in all situations:

• Tetanus vaccination (if the patient has not received it for more than 5 years);
• Anti-rabies serum to prevent the development of rabies;
• A course (5-10 days) of broad-spectrum antibiotics is prescribed (often used are Clavunate, Ceftriaxone, Asoxicillin).

Some injuries are subject to surgical intervention (they are sewn up). However, this only happens when:

• The skin is severely damaged;
• Localization of the wound - head;
• Vessels are injured and it is necessary to stop the bleeding.

If a cat scratched you, this is a sign of obvious aggression and your lack of understanding of how the animal is set up towards you. Almost any injury can be avoided if you know a little about the behavior of these animals. You can recognize aggression as follows:

• The simplest is the rhythmic tapping of the tail. Pressing it against the body can also mean fear (however, the animal will not stop defending itself from this, rather the opposite);
• Grin;
• Constricted pupils, glitter in the eyes;
• Hissing or prolonged meowing (it differs from the usual one by a long, continuous sound);
• Wool on end;

You should not contact strangers and street cats, the former do not know you and will be considered a threat, while the latter are often negatively opposed to people in general.

If, after a cat bite, a hand is swollen (or a finger is swollen), this is far from a reason to immediately run to the doctor and find out how to treat such an injury. However, you should also not lose sight of it, and if there are signs of any complications, go to the doctor. Do not forget that cats are not mindless animals, they have a mind and memory, so injuries can generally be avoided if you understand when they are aggressive towards you.