Animal bites are a frequent occurrence: about 2-5 million cases occur annually in the United States alone. Children are more exposed than adults and most of these accidents (85-90%) are caused by dogs. The onset of a skin infection is the most frequent complication due to an animal bite. Rarely, it is accompanied by a serious injury or leads to permanent disability. The most serious consequence is anger. Either way, you can reduce the risk of complications by learning how to clean and dress the wound, but also by knowing when to see your doctor.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Treating the Less Severe Bites
Step 1. Examine the wound
In most cases, a dog bite is of no concern, so self-medicating is possible. If your skin has barely torn or a superficial scratch has formed, you can treat the wound at home.
Different is the case in which the tissues have been crossed or torn by the teeth or the one in which bones or joints have been crushed. Always consult your doctor in these circumstances, for which suggestions are provided in the second part of the article
Step 2. Wash the bite site thoroughly with soap and water
Pass the wound under water at a suitable temperature for a few minutes and soap it. This will eliminate any germs present around the lesion or coming from the dog's mouth.
- Any type of soap is fine, but if it is antibacterial it will be even more effective.
- Soap and water can pinch the open wound, but it is still advisable to wash the affected area thoroughly.
Step 3. Apply pressure if blood comes out
If the wound continues to bleed after you wash it, take a clean towel or gauze and press on the bite. The bleeding should stop or subside enough for you to bandage the site.
If the bleeding does not allow you to wrap the bandage after fifteen minutes of pressure, you should see your doctor
Step 4. Apply antibiotic ointment
A neosporin or bacitracin ointment can also help prevent infection as the wound heals. Apply it on the bite following the instructions contained in the package leaflet.
Step 5. Band the wound
Once the antibiotic ointment is applied, bandage or cover the wound properly. Squeeze it just enough to protect it, but don't overdo it or you could block circulation or make the situation worse.
Step 6. Change the dressing as needed
You should change it every time it gets dirty, like when you shower. Gently wash the wound, reapply the antibiotic ointment, and use a new bandage.
Step 7. Get vaccinated
Tetanus is an infectious disease that could develop when a dog bite tears the skin. In these circumstances, doctors recommend a booster dose if it has been at least five years since the last vaccination.
Step 8. Keep an eye on the lesion
Watch out for other symptoms of infection during the healing period. If you think it is infected, see your doctor immediately. Among the signs you may be experiencing, consider:
- Worsening pain;
- Swelling;
- Redness or warmth around the bite site
- Fever;
- Purulent secretions.
Step 9. Find out if your dog has been vaccinated against rabies
Rabies is another infection you may get from a superficial bite. Often those who are injured by a dog know the animal that attacked them and are able to ascertain whether they have received the rabies vaccination. In that case, there is no danger.
If you are not sure (for example, if it is a stray), it is necessary to keep the animal under observation for fifteen days (if possible) to see if it shows the typical signs of anger. Also, see your doctor if you are unable to find out the dog's vaccination status
Step 10. See your doctor if you have any further complications
Even if it is a superficial wound, do not hesitate to consult your doctor if you have certain health problems, including:
- Diabetes;
- Liver disorders;
- Tumor;
- HIV;
- Taking medications that can weaken the immune system, such as those prescribed for autoimmune diseases.
Part 2 of 2: Treating Severe Bites
Step 1. Examine the wound
Typically, if it is severe, it has one or more deep perforations caused by the animal's teeth, sometimes accompanied by a major tissue tear. Due to the force exerted by the jaw of some dog breeds, you may also exhibit signs of injury to bones, ligaments or joints in the form of pain in movement or an inability to move the site affected by the bite. Among other symptoms that need medical advice consider:
- Wound deep enough to show fat, muscle, or bone
- Wound characterized by jagged or distant edges;
- Bleeding or bleeding that does not stop after fifteen minutes of pressure
- Wound larger than an inch or two
- Head or neck injury.
Step 2. Apply pressure to the bite
Before going to the doctor, use a clean towel to compress the lesion and slow the bleeding as much as possible. Keep her covered by applying pressure until you find a doctor.
Step 3. See your doctor
He will establish the most effective treatment in these situations, taking action to stop the bleeding and deciding if the wound needs to be sutured. He will medicate and clean it thoroughly (with a surgical disinfectant, such as iodine) and remove everything that is needed, including dead, damaged or infected tissues that can compromise the healing of surrounding healthy ones.
- It will also consider when you took your last tetanus shot to determine if you need to take a booster dose.
- If he suspects a bone injury, he will likely prescribe an X-ray to determine the appropriate treatment.
- Take the opportunity to let him know if you are aware of the vaccination status of the dog that attacked you. If he thinks there is a risk of rabies, he will put you on post-exposure rabies prophylaxis.
Step 4. Take the prescribed antibiotics
If your doctor sees signs of an infection or thinks this risk exists, they will prescribe a course of antibiotics.
The most used antibiotic is amoxicillin with clavulanic acid (Augmentin). It is in the form of pills and is typically taken for 3-5 days. Among the most common side effects involves gastrointestinal disorders
Step 5. Change the bandage as directed by your doctor
The latter will also tell you how often to change the dressing he has done. You will likely have to do this once or twice a day.
Advice
- Train your dog properly to reduce the risk of bites.
- To prevent these accidents, first read the article How to Prevent Dog Bites.
Warnings
- If you feel itchy and notice that the skin around the wound swells quickly, see your doctor.
- If the condition of the injury worsens, see your doctor.
- While this article offers medical information, it is not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult your doctor if you are unsure of the severity of a bite.
- If you do not know if the animal that attacked you was vaccinated against rabies (from your dog's health book or, if it is someone else's, the one owned by the owner), you should always contact your doctor. It is possible to cure a rabies infection, but only if you undergo medical treatment immediately. Don't wait for symptoms to appear.
- It is necessary to visit the doctor in case of bites on the hands, feet or head, because in these places the skin is very thin and many joints can be injured as a result of these accidents.
