Treating a Dog Bite

Dog bites can be a traumatic process and they can be very frightening when they happen. They are also messy, and very painful to treat and they come with long-term mental health issues and the potential buildup of fear. Those who have been on the receiving end of a dog bite are most unfortunate, but knowing how to treat one when they happen is important. You don't have to be the owner of a dog to know what to do when a pet has bitten you or your child.

While you can call a dog bite lawyer, it's important to know that there are over 400 breeds of domestic dogs worldwide, and some of these dogs are naturally aggressive. There are many ways that people go about treating a dog bite, even when they are traumatic, but you need to know what that looks like first. A dog bite can range in severity, but the first goal for you is to stop any bleeding. Here's how to treat dog bites, so that you can reduce the risk of infection, dirt and bacteria building under the skin.

Image source: Pexels

• Clean the wound fast. The first thing to do when you are dealing with a dog bite is to clean the wound by washing the area as soon as possible. Use soap and clean water to clean the wound as thoroughly as you can, and if you have any tweezers close by remove any debris that could be embedded. Don't forget, dogs teeth are not as clean and bacteria free as ours can be.
• Apply the right pressure. Once you have cleaned the wound out properly, take some gauze and a clean cloth and apply direct pressure to the wind. This will help to step on the bleeding and slow it down so that it has time to clot. It will also help the person who has been bitten to calm down, because they feel like you are doing something about the wound.
• Dress it. While you wait for emergency services, bind the wound as best you can. If you have access to any medical supplies you can use bandages to wrap the wound up so that it could be held firmly in place. Make sure that you choose a dressing that will cover the entire wound, and this way you can ensure that the wind is completely compressed.
• Use antibiotic ointment. If you want to prevent any infection from a wound that has been exposed to all bacteria, make sure that you use an antibiotic ointment before you cover it with a bandage. This will ensure that no infection can develop, and it will make sure that the bacteria inside the wound is cleaned out and is now sterile.
• Compress and elevate the injured area. Compress can help relieve any swelling and promote healing in a wound. Compresses are applied to the injured area and are held in place for 10 to 15 minutes. Elevating the engine loom above the hot level will help to reduce the swelling and promote better circulation.