What should you do if your dog bites your hand?
What should you do if your dog bites your hand?
If a dog bites you, take these steps right away:
- Wash the wound.
- 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.
How serious is a dog bite to the hand?
Even though they are common, dog bite wounds of the hand can result in serious infections, pain, and a long list of other problems. Your hands are comprised of several ligaments, muscles, small bones, and tendons that make them susceptible to a wide range of injuries.
Why is my hand swollen after a dog bite?
So is swelling normal after a dog bite? Swelling, redness, or pain that lasts more than 24 hours from an animal bite could be a sign of an infection that could lead to more serious complications. See a qualified medical professional as soon as possible to get the bite checked out if pus is draining from your wound.
Can a dog bite cause tendon damage?
In some cases, the bite will not break the skin but may cause damage to underlying tendons and joints. If the skin is broken, there is the additional possibility of infection as well as injury to tendons and nerves. Dogs have powerful jaws and can cause crushing injuries to bone, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves.
What to do when your dog bites you and draws blood?
Wash the wound daily, and check it for signs of infection, including redness, swelling, warmth, a foul odor, or whitish-yellow discharge. Call 911 and seek emergency medical care if the victim is bleeding profusely from multiple wounds. Call a doctor if: Bleeding doesn’t stop after 15 minutes of pressure.
Should I worry about a small dog bite?
Although you can provide first aid for a dog bite at home, it’s very important to see a doctor, especially if an unfamiliar dog bit you, the bite is deep, you can’t stop the bleeding, or there are any signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth, pus).
Why does my hand hurt after a dog bite?
Bites to the hand are common and can cause pain and stiffness. The saliva of an animal or human mouth contains bacteria which can contaminate your wound. You should check your hand regularly for these signs during the first few weeks after the bite and contact your GP if you are concerned.
What should you watch after a dog bite?
How can you tell if a dog bite is infected?
- swelling and redness around the wound.
- pain that lasts longer than 24 hours.
- drainage from the wound.
- difficulty moving the affected part of the body.
- a warm feeling around the wound.
How long does a dog bite on the hand take to heal?
Your bite may take as little as 7 days or as long as several months to heal, depending on how bad it is. Taking good care of your wound at home will help it heal and reduce your chance of infection. The doctor has checked you carefully, but problems can develop later.
Can you break your hand from a dog bite?
Crush injuries of the hand caused by an animal bite may or may not break the skin and may fracture the small delicate bones of the hand. Pain, bruising and swelling, and decreased range of motion may occur depending on the extent of the crush injury. Puncture wounds break the skin.
When should I worry about a dog bite?
When to see a doctor People should seek emergency medical attention for a dog bite if they have: uncontrollable bleeding from the wound. a fever. a red, swollen, or painful wound.