The cat scratched me and left claw marks on my arm.
scars; traces of damage; after-effects
Figurative use for lasting damage, scars, or traces left by war, disaster, or hardship.
Scars from the earthquake disaster still remain throughout the town.
We must not forget the deep scars left by the war.
Standard kanji spelling for both literal and figurative meanings.
Alternate kanji spelling; less common than 爪痕.
Kana spelling used when the kanji is not needed or for clarity.
Common mixed kana spelling, especially in figurative contexts.
Compound of 爪 (つめ, 'nail, claw') and 痕 (あと, 'mark, trace'). The figurative sense extends the idea of a visible mark to lasting damage or effects.