Quick guide to animal bite treatment

  A playful nip from your pet is one thing, but when animals really sink their teeth into your skin, you need to care for the wound to prevent infection and other serious complications. Dealing with an animal bite sooner rather than later is the key to avoiding potential problems. Here’s your quick guide to understanding animal bite treatment: As much as we love our pets, sometimes they’re the cause of animal bite wounds. Consider the type of animal bite According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, dogs are the most common cause of animal bites. However, cats, rodents, rabbits, ferrets, farm animals, monkeys and reptiles have also been known to chomp down. The severity of the wound will depend on the bite location and type of animal. Your doctor’s biggest worry about an animal bite is an infection due to bacteria from the animal’s mouth. Bites from wild animals can also be cause for increased concern. Practice basic first aid If you experience an animal bite, your first move should be to stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure to the affected area. From there, the Mayo Clinic advised washing the wound with soap and water. Once clean, apply an antibiotic cream and cover the wound with a sterile bandage. Seek medical advice Never hesitate to get medical help if you’re unsure of your animal bite’s severity. The Mayo Clinic highlighted other reasons to seek medical attention, including: The wound will not stop ble...
Source: Advanced Tissue - Category: Dermatology Authors: Tags: Wound Care Source Type: news