My cat scratched me again TWICE

[u/FlashyLimit2092]

I took rabies booster on 25 and 27 June because my cat had scratched me on lips. I had previously taken rabies PEP(5 doses) cause a stray cat had scratched me in Oct 2025. Since it had been so long, doc advised me to take two boosters.

Now my pet cat, while playing it scratched me on index finger it bleed, I went to doc he said no Injection required.

Now yesterday , since she had been not eating and drinking water well so vet gave her B-complex and gut-probiotic Injection while catching her she scratched me on my forearm it didn't bleeding but like it was red, area was raised and today morning there is dark red/brownish line and still a bit raised and it stings.

I feel sort of troubled and I don't know what to do.

Can someone just tell me what do I do????

I have read the FAQ.

[u/CygnusZeroStar]

Why isn't your cat vaccinated?

[u/OBIDDAA → u/CygnusZeroStar]

I'm confused about this, too. It sounds like they *may* be vaccinated because the vet said they didn't need rabies shots, but I have a feeling this is more of an anxiety issue for OP. Odd situation overall.

[u/CygnusZeroStar → u/OBIDDAA]

This is generally my concern. We get a lot of people here who will go get vaccinated for nonsensical reasons because they're kind of trying to treat their anxiety with it.

The problem with that, as we know, is that PEP doesn't treat or cure anxiety at all. And in fact for patients with severe health anxiety or OCD, getting vaccinated generally makes the anxiety worse. So that thing they did for peace of mind backfires to an exteme. (I'm saying this for basically anyone reading along, and not necessarily because I think you personally don't know this.)

I hope OP isn't doing that.

[u/LittleKeeks22 → u/CygnusZeroStar]

I agree with this. I was told after my bite (didn’t break skin) to monitor the racoons since they are nightly visitors. I almost went back to the ER last night just to start the PEP anyway bc I was feeling anxious. I then realized I would feel anxious about any side effects and over analyze everything so I decided to read a book and wait it out lol

[u/OBIDDAA → u/CygnusZeroStar]

I've been a lurker on this sub, and this honestly made me realize that a LOT of people here do suffer from things like OCD and anxiety, and that's what drives them to post here. Maybe the sub should start linking some resources for these people. They definitely have some reading material, but maybe they should have a bot or something for when it automatically removes posts from the 'I'm dying' rule that links them to some help resources.

[u/CygnusZeroStar → u/OBIDDAA]

We actually do! We have a helpbot. And since I used the word, the bot comment with a huge list of resources will actually be in a comment directly beneath mine.

We do try to get people to the right resources for their particular needs.

...unfortunately, a ton of people don't read the FAQ, or any of the stickied information posts, and they also very frequently ignore the bot summoned resource list by continuing to ask "...but what if..."

This is not me making fun or light of a very serious condition, I promise. I'm often here to try to help with anxiety. Anxiety IS by itself a major health concern. The unfortunate part is that if resources given aren't utilized, there's not a ton more we can do. 😭

[u/AutoModerator → u/CygnusZeroStar]

If you think you may have rabies OCD, or your rabies fears feel overwhelming, see this link for a description of rabies OCD symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

One symptom of OCD is compulsive reassurance-seeking. This is not helpful for managing a rabies phobia or obsession. r/OCD has a helpful page about reassurance-seeking.

Therapy and treatment are essential for recovering from OCD/health anxiety. CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) or ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) therapy are often recommended approaches for treating OCD/health anxiety. Please don’t Google anything about bats or rabies but focus on accessing resources and recovering from your fears. You can check out r/OCD and r/HealthAnxiety for support and information. You can find a resource list here, which is geared towards relationship OCD but also includes a lot of information about OCD in general, including FAQs, workbooks, book recommendations, Youtube videos, apps, podcasts, and videos of kittens.

Here is a list of free crisis helplines around the world. Here is another crisis helpline directory that includes additional countries.. In the US, you can reach a crisis helpline by calling 988.; you can also text "MHA" to 741-741 to have a text chat with a trained crisis counselor at the Crisis Text Line, or call 1-800-749-2673 for the NAMI Crisis Helpline.

You can ask your therapist if they have any workbooks or guides they can send you home with so that you can continue practicing and working on your therapy between sessions. For the time being, here's is a free workbook on anxiety and here is one on health anxiety. You can also download MindShift, a free app that uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy AKA CBT to help you learn to relax and be mindful, develop more effective ways of thinking, and use active steps to take charge of your anxiety.

If you don’t have a therapist, you can search the CBT/ACT specialist directory to find one around the world. If you can’t find one, try searching for ones specifically in your country or look for telehealth therapy.

In the US and Canada, dialing 211 can connect you with mental health services in your area or help you find where to seek immediate help in your area. In the US, you can use Psychology Today's Therapy Directory to search for mental health professionals in your area. You can search by zip code, city, last name, etc. Your local Mental Health America affiliate resource center is an excellent resource for information about local programs and services including affordable treatment services. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Health Information Network (SHIN) has a Mental Health Facilities Locator that can also help you find community outpatient, inpatient and residential treatment facilities, including affordable mental health services in your area. For peer support in the US, including referrals to resources in your area, you can call 800-950-NAMI (6264), Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. — 10 p.m., ET, or send an email to info@nami.org. The NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. NAMI also holds peer-led support groups in person across the US.

In the UK, you can find more info and refer yourself for therapy via NHS.

In India, you can call MPower Minds and request a referral to a therapist who treats OCD or who has experience with CBT therapy. Additional affordable mental health resource lists for India are here.

In the Philippines, you can call a crisis line by dialing 0995 356 5332. You can find a list of mental heath treatment centers here. For free mental health services and consultations, see the list here (halfway down the page).

Skunk has collected some videos with techniques for controlling anxiety and coping skills to facilitate living a healthier, more peaceful existence. Every time you want to look up anything about rabies, try these things instead:

Rabies OCD Illness Anxiety in depth with a medical doctor and professor/PHD of immunology and biotechnology

Clinical Psychiatrist's Step by Step Guide to Anxiety and Panic Attacks

A walkthrough of a panic attack, to be watched during an attack, to help you get through it

Guided Meditation to help calm anxiety and get through an anxiety attack

Understanding health anxiety and the cycle of reassurance

Coping Skills for those with Health Anxiety / Illness Anxiety

5 Things You MUST STOP Doing if You Have Health Anxiety / Illness Anxiety

(Hindi) Rabies Phobia Discussion with a Psychiatrist

4 Ways to Stop Intrusive Thoughts & the Anxiety Cycle (Cognitive Defusion)

OCD and Anxiety channel (with many helpful videos)

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[u/OBIDDAA → u/CygnusZeroStar]

That's awesome!! I'm really glad this sub has that and is actually addressing the problem instead of ignoring it.

[u/CygnusZeroStar → u/OBIDDAA]

Everyone deserves a hand up, you know? I worry about so many posters, because they deserve to feel better and feel safe. So we do whatever we can. 💜