What to do about a dog scratch that pierced your skin?

A curved claw enters the skin and tissue in a front then backward manner which creates a piercing into the tissue. As the cat or dog pulls away, it can also cause a tiny rip in the skin. But the skin rip often flaps back over, so the puncture inside where you can't see it is often a slightly bit larger than what you see outside. Note: This is why you should pull a cat / dog paw forward if the claw/paw is stuck in your skin, so you can release the claw without it tearing more skin.

After a scratch that leaves a pierced or punctured injury, first use very warm running water over the injury. If on your arm, leg, mid body, fill a quart pitcher with very warm water and pour it over the wound. If you can, pour in the direction of the way the curved claw entered. Do not pull open the wound. Next, apply Neosporin or Polysporin and cover with a Band-Aid. Apply more sporin new Band-Aid a couple times a day.

If the wound gets infected--which is common with claw scratches-- remove the Band-Aid. rinse the area, and lay an extra hot washcloth, folded, on the injury. Leave it for 10-15 minutes, then reapply Neosporin Band-Aid. You can re-do the warm compress 3 to 4 times a day.

If you notice a red line going from the wound up your skin, or a lot of pus, contact a doctor. You might need an oral antibiotic.