How to Treat a Minor Scratch

No matter how small, a scratch can be a potential risk for infection. It is important to take care and monitor the scratch to help ensure it does not become infected.

Things You'll Need

• Soap and water or hand sanitizer
• Medical gloves, if available
• Antibacterial soap or hydrogen peroxide
• Antibiotic ointment
• Adhesive bandage
• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen

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Instructions

• 1

  Have the person sit in a chair or lie down. Call 911 for any profuse bleeding or loss of consciousness.

• 2

  Wash your hands with soap and water or use a no-rinse hand sanitizer.

• 3

  Put on medical gloves if they are available.

• 4

  Clean the scratch with an antibacterial soap and rinse with water. You could also use a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and water. (No rinsing is required.) Allow the wound to dry for two to three minutes. Do not touch the wound after it has been washed and dried.

• 5

  Apply an antibacterial ointment, preferably one with a pain reliever in it, to the scratch if the person is not allergic.

• 6

  Apply a sterile adhesive bandage large enough to cover the entire wound.

• 7

  Give an over the counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen if the person is not allergic.

• 8

  Follow up with a doctor within 48 hours to be sure that the person's tetanus shot is up to date.

• 9

  Repeat steps 1 through 6 twice a day or as needed if the bandage gets soiled until the scratch is healed.

• 10

  Check the scratch twice a day for any increase in redness, swelling, red streaking, pain or pus. Immediately seek medical treatment if you notice any of these symptoms. These are signs of infection, which can be serious.