Real leg scratch

Considering what you’re describing—especially swelling, pain, itching, and yellowish discharge—it’s quite possible that your leg scratch has become infected. Initially, cleaning it with soap and water is good practice, but signs like you’ve mentioned often indicate that the body’s reaction is more than just the healing process. Yellowish discharge usually means pus, suggesting an infection, and the increased tenderness and “angry” appearance reinforces that concern. Here’s what I suggest you can do right now: continue to clean the area gently twice a day with mild soap and lukewarm water, then cover with a sterile bandage. However, it’s important to recognize that home care might not be enough if the infection’s set in. You should definitely consider seeing a doctor as soon as you can, mainly to reduce the risk of more serious complications like cellulitis or, in rare cases, systemic infection (which is tougher to handle at home). A healthcare professional could decide if you need any treatment like antibiotics, which will help you avoid that worry about potential complications. It’s especially important because sometimes, if untreated, these infections can progress quite rapidly. Meanwhile, try to avoid scratching it, even though it’s itchy, to minimize further irritation or damaging the skin more. Keeping your tetanus vaccination up to date might also be worth checking out. Overall, it’s sensible to draw the line when there are obvious signs of infection like what you’re experiencing, and better to err on the side of getting checked early rather than waiting.