What to do if a dog bites you and breaks the skin? Surprising Answer

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7 steps to treating a dog bite

If a dogbites you, take these steps right away:

  • Wash the wound. Use mild soap, and run warm tap water over it for five to 10 minutes.
  • Slow the bleeding with a clean cloth.
  • Apply over-the counter antibiotic cream if you have it.
  • Wrap the wound in a sterile bandage.
  • Keep the wound bandaged and see your doctor.
  • Change the bandage several times a day once your doctor has examined the wound.
  • Watch for signs of infection, including redness, swelling, increased pain and fever.

    • Your doctor will want to know more about the dog that bit you and how it happened. They will also likely clean the wound again, apply antibiotic ointment and prescribe antibiotics, such as Augmentin, if there’s an infection concern.

    After any bite, you should make sure you know when your last tetanus shot was — and that you’re up-to-date. While a tetanus immunization is good for 10 years, Dr. Sayles notes, your doctor may recommend a booster if the wound is dirty and it’s been more than five years since your last shot.

    Depending onthe wound, your doctor may also recommend stitches. Generally, though, dogwounds are left open to heal unless they are on the face or if they could leaveparticularly severe scars if left unsutured.

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    For deeper wounds, you may need stitches. The provider may give you a tetanus shot if you have not had one in the last 5 years. You may also need to take antibiotics. If there is an infection that has spread, you may receive antibiotics through a vein (IV). For a bad bite, you may need surgery to repair the damage.

    Whether the dog is yours or someone else’s, you may feel shaken after being bitten. If you need medical attention, call for help rather than driving yourself to the doctor or hospital.

    The type of first aid you administer will be determined by the severity of the bite.

    Rabies is a serious viral condition that affects the central nervous system. Left untreated, it can lead to death within a few days of infection.

    Of course, it’s also possible to be bitten by your own dog. For this reason, make sure to keep up with your dog’s rabies inoculations. Even a friendly, gentle animal may sometimes bite.

    Read on to learn the steps you should take following a dog bite, and what you can do to prevent infection.

    How To Treat A Dog Bite Wound

    Taking the right steps if a dog bites you or a family member and breaks the skin can mean the difference in quick healing or severe infection. It can also help you in your pursuit of compensation later.

    In general, you will want to get medical care quickly, identify and protect evidence in your case, and reach out to our firm as soon as practical.