Many dog bites only cause minor skin injury and can be treated with simple first aid at home to prevent the bite injury from developing an infection. Dog bites commonly leave punctures or jagged cuts in the skin. If you or your family member has suffered a minor dog bite, try these steps at home:
- Clean the area. Thoroughly clean the area. Run the wound under warm water for a few minutes to rinse it out.
- Squeeze the wound gently. Encouraging the wound to bleed by gently squeezing it can help prevent bacteria from entering the wound and infecting the area.
- Take a painkiller. Using an over-the-counter painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, can reduce inflammation and take the sting out of the injury.
- Seek medical advice. Even though the injury may seem minor, it is always advisable to have a dog bite wound checked out by a medical professional because of risk of infection.
Ongoing Care
Keep the wound clean and bandage daily. Use topical antibiotics to prevent infection. If you notice any signs of infection (tenderness, pus or oozing liquid, fever, swelling or redness, warmth around the wound) see your doctor as soon as possible. According to Medical News Today, bites on the hands or feet can carry a higher risk of infection. Watch wounds in these areas carefully.
If you don’t know the dog well, it is also important to find out if the dog has been vaccinated for rabies. This information can help you determine next steps.
Contact our Dog Bite Attorney to Discuss your Case
Even minor injuries can have an impact on your life. The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer David Cowhey specializes in helping the victims of dog bite injury pursue justice. If you, your child, or other loved one has suffered a severe injury in a dog bite attack, please call David Cowhey at (609) 513-0627 or contact us online for a free consultation. Mr. Cowhey welcomes clients throughout the state of New Jersey.
Updated April 7, 2021
Photo by Brian Patrick Tagalog on Unsplash
