First aid for bad cat scratch? Nurse or professional answer please!?

I got a puncture scratch from our new cat. she has front and back claws(unfortunatly) and got me good today. i think she was scared. Nonetheless i need a treatment plan. When it happened i washed it with soap and water then applied antibiotic ointment to it. i changed the dressing but it is black/bruised and raised like a lump. it is on my arm on a vein. it hurts like crazy. what should healing look like? pls help i'd rather not see a dr unless i need to. thanks for ideaas

Keep the area clean. Use salt and water to clean the area several times a day. If it stays red and swollen and gets hot go to a Dr as cats can give Cat Scratch Fever which is an infection that can cause severe problems.

Cat scratches and bites can be very nasty. Washing with a mild soap and warm water is fine treatment along with the topical antibiotic. The big concern is Cellulitis (Skin Infection). Take a pen and trace the outer margins of the reddened area. If the redness progresses outside the margins, go see a physician or go to the emergency room if your doctor is unable to see you. The reason is this type of skin infection can progress to the point of requiring surgery if left unattended for a while. The black bruise is nothing more then blood that has leaked out into the skin and muscle tissue. Your body will reabsorb it and the color will go away. I'm not sure what the lump could be. You body may have sealed off that part of the wound so it doesn't spread. The pain may be a result of the body fighting off the local infection and its irritating to the nerve tissue. I hope this helps. Feel free to email me if you have any other questions.

If you have a current tetanus shot, keep an eye on the scratch.
1] after your shower, clean wound with peroxide.
2] blot dry gently with cotton ball or clean tissue
3] apply new antibiotic ointment, and bandage.
4] repeat the clean, ointment, and bandage routine until scabbed over.
IF it looks WORSE at any time, see the doc.
PS: cut your cats claws!