Should I ice a dog bite? What to Know

How to Treat a Dog Bite

For mild or nonserious dog bites, you might be able to treat it yourself with medical supplies in your home. Please keep in mind that this information is not meant to represent advice from a medical professional. If you are worried that your bite could be serious, then we encourage you to talk to a trusted medical provider as soon as possible.

To treat a nonserious dog bite of varying severity:

Does not break the skin: A dog bite that does not break the skin poses the least danger. The affected skin should be cleaned to wash away any lingering bacteria and dirt, though. If the area is swollen, then an ice pack should be applied. An off-the-shelf painkiller can be used for any aches.

Breaks the skin: A dog bite that breaks the skin can be more dangerous due to the risk of infection and bleeding. The wound should be cleaned thoroughly using medical-grade alcohol or disinfectant. Minor wounds can be dressed in gauze and bandages to apply weak pressure to the wound, stop the bleeding, and protect it from further contamination.

If the wound is serious, it may require stitches. Never be too careful when it comes to a dog bite. If it looks bad, get it looked at by a medical professional. It may be that they will have to clean it out and put a few stitches in, and possibly repair any damages caused by the bite. If you want to learn more about preventing and treating dog bites, here are some references to check out:

You never know when it is going to happen. You could be visiting friends and their dog bites you. Or, you could end up being accidentally bitten by your own dog while playing. Or, you may be attacked by a stray dog that is wandering around the neighborhood. No matter how it happens, you need to know what to do in the event that you are bitten by a dog.

It is also important to make sure that once you have cleaned the wound you also cover it. Use a clean, sterile bandage to keep the wound covered. If you do not have sterile bandages, you can substitute a clean, white t-shirt or a clean towel for a bandage until you can get to the pharmacy to get one.

If the wound is a superficial one, the first thing you need to do is clean the wound and the area around it. Clean it with running water and a very mild soap, followed by rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to make sure that there is no risk of infection.

You can make a black pepper paste or salve easily with ingredients you already have in your kitchen. Soak about 20 black peppercorns, and make them into a paste. You can also add cumin seeds to make it even more effective. Applying this paste will help reduce the risk of infection from a dog bite.

Which medicine is best for dog bite?

Amoxicillin and clavulanate is a drug combination that extends the antibiotic spectrum of penicillin to include bacteria normally resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. Amoxicillin and clavulanate is first-line therapy for the prophylactic treatment of dog, human, and cat bites (see Medication Summary above).

Doctor explains how to assess and treat dog bites

Ice helps decrease swelling and pain. Ice may also help prevent tissue damage. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover it with a towel and place it on your wound for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed.