Animal bites cause between two and five million injuries each year in the United States. Children are bitten more often than adults, and the majority of these bites (85 to 90 percent) are caused by dogs . Skin infections are the most common complication after an animal bite. These bites can rarely cause serious injuries or permanent disabilities. Rabies is the primary concern after an animal bite . By knowing how to clean and care for a dog bite and when to seek medical help, you can reduce the risk of complications.
Treating minor bites
Examine the bite. Most dog bites are just minor wounds that you can treat at home. If the bite has barely grazed or scratched the skin, you can treat it at home without any problems .
- This is a different type of injury where tissue has been deeply cut and joints or bones may have been damaged. Always seek medical attention for this type of bite, which is discussed in Part 2
Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Spend several minutes washing the wound with plenty of soap and water at a comfortable temperature. This helps clean away any germs that may be around the wound or that may have come from the dog's mouth.
- You can use any soap, but antibacterial soap is best if you have it at home.
- Soap and water may sting at the wound, but it's still best to clean the wound.
Apply pressure to the wound if it is bleeding. Use a clean towel or gauze to apply pressure to the bite if it continues to bleed after cleaning. The bleeding may stop or slow down enough to place the bandage over the wound.
- If the wound continues to bleed after applying pressure for fifteen minutes, you should seek medical attention
Apply an antibiotic ointment. Antibiotic creams such as those containing bacitracin can help prevent infection while the wound heals . Apply the cream to the wound as directed on the package.
Apply a bandage to the bite . As soon as you have finished applying the antibiotic cream, apply a suitable bandage to the wound.. Tighten the bandage enough to protect the wound, but not so tight that you cut off blood flow or cause discomfort.
Change the bandage as needed. You should change the bandage on the bite whenever it becomes dirty, such as after showering. Gently clean the wound, reapply antibiotic cream, and apply a clean bandage.
Update your vaccinations. Tetanus is a potential infection that can occur in any case where a dog bite has penetrated the skin. Doctors recommend a tetanus shot after a dog bite if yours was more than five years ago
Monitor the injury. Watch for signs of infection as the wound heals. If you suspect an infection is developing, seek medical help immediately. Signs that could indicate infection include
- an increase in pain
- inflammation
- redness and a feeling of warmth at the wound site
- fever
- pus
Determine if the dog has been vaccinated against rabies, if possible. Rabies is another potential infection you can catch after a dog bite. People who have been bitten by a dog usually know the animal and can check if the dog has received a rabies vaccination, in situations where this might be a concern of yours .
- If the dog's previous vaccinations are unreliable, for example in the case of a stray dog, the dog should be kept under observation for two weeks (if possible) to see if it develops signs of rabies. You should consult a doctor if you cannot verify the animal's vaccinations.
Consult a doctor for other medical complications. Even for minor bites, certain medical conditions should prompt you to consult a doctor. Here are some of them :
- diabetes
- liver disease
- cancer
- AIDS
- immunosuppressants, for example those you take for autoimmune disorders
Treating a serious dog bite
Examine the bite. Severe bites that leave one or more wounds that break through the skin may have tissue tearing caused by the animal's teeth. . Due to the significant jaw strength of some dog breeds, you may also experience bone, ligament, and joint damage in the form of painful movements or an inability to move the bite area. Here are some other signs that indicate the bite should be examined by a professional: :
- it is deep enough to see fat, muscle or bone
- if the edges of the wound are torn or pulled away from each other
- if blood spurts from the wound and the bleeding cannot be stopped after fifteen minutes of pressure
- if the wound is more than two centimeters
- if the wound is on the head or neck
Apply pressure to the bite. Before going to the doctor, use a clean towel to apply pressure to the bite to slow the bleeding as much as possible . Continue applying pressure to the wound until you get to the doctor.
Consult a doctor. Doctors can determine the best treatment for a serious bite, including how to stop the bleeding and whether stitches are needed. The doctor will irrigate the wound to clean it (with a surgical disinfectant such as Betadine) and debride the wound site, which means removing dead, damaged, or infected tissue that might interfere with the healing of surrounding healthy tissue
- The doctor may also look at your vaccination record to determine if a tetanus shot is needed.
- If the doctor suspects bone damage from the bite, he or she will take an X-ray to determine the appropriate treatment..
- Tell your doctor at this time whether or not you know whether the dog that bit you has received a rabies vaccine. If the doctor thinks you are at risk of developing rabies, he or she will treat you with several anti-rabies shots
Take the prescribed antibiotics. If you've seen the doctor with signs of infection, or if the doctor thinks you're at high risk for infection, they'll likely prescribe antibiotics. oxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) is the most commonly used antibiotic in these cases. It's a pill that's usually prescribed for three to five days. It sometimes causes gastrointestinal problems.
Change the bandages as directed. Your doctor will also tell you when to change the bandage on the wound once they have treated it.. He will usually ask you to do this once or twice a day.
Advice
- The best solution is to avoid getting bitten in the first place.
- You should always train your dog properly to prevent biting.
Warnings
- If the wound starts to itch or the skin around it starts to swell rapidly, see a doctor.
- If the injury worsens, you should seek qualified medical advice.
- Although this article provides information regarding dog bites, it should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your doctor if you are unsure about the severity of the bite.
- If you cannot verify that the dog has received a rabies vaccination (either by checking its record if it is your dog or the owner's record), you should always go to the doctor. A rabies infection can be treated after the bite, but only if you go to the doctor immediately. You cannot wait for symptoms to appear . A simple scratch is enough to contract rabies, if you are not treated quickly enough, the consequences can be fatal.
- Bites to the hands, feet, or head should bring you to a doctor because of the thinness of the skin in these areas and the number of joints that could be affected
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