People’s opinions on dogs may greatly vary. Some love them and some are very fearful. Most pups are well-trained, however, when you come across one that may be fearful and bite you, you should know how to apply first aid and be knowledgeable about other dog bite management tips.
Canine teeth can cause some serious damage. When someone is bitten by a dog, the dog’s front teeth grab and compress the tissue, while the smaller teeth tear and rupture the skin. This results in jagged and open wounds. The bruising and bleeding that follows will greatly depend on the bite’s severity and the infection risk depends on the kind of dog and environment you are in.
Rabies in the Philippines
In the Philippines, rabies is a major health problem. Each year, 200-300 Filipinos die because of rabies. This is mainly due to the fact that not everyone is aware of how to handle rabies, and there is still a lack of access to proper healthcare in the country.
This is why it is important for Filipinos to be aware of what they can do in order to prevent rabies. Read on to learn more facts about rabies as well as what you should do in case you get bitten by a dog.
Infection Risks
Bite wounds are at risk of infection because dogs carry different kinds of bacteria. Some common ones include:
- Staphylococcus, which is a bacteria that causes staph infections
- Streptococcus, which is a bacteria that also causes strep throat
- Pasteurella, which is a type of bacteria that often comes from cats as well
- Capnocytophaga, which is a bacteria commonly found in most mammals
On top of these bacteria, unvaccinated and feral dogs can be carriers of rabies and can transfer rabies through biting. Due to all these risks, it is important to see a medical professional within at most 8 hours of a dog bite. Even if you are aware of dog bite management tips and first aid, you should seek immediate help if you have been bitten and have chronic diseases, diabetes, or a compromised immune system. Waiting any longer could raise the infection risk and make the bite a bigger issue than it already is.
First Aid
The first thing you have to do in a dog bite situation is to wash the wound. Putting it under running water, preferably with antiseptic cleansers or solutions, for around 5 to 10 minutes should be enough. Removing dirt and grime can help lower infection risks.
After this, focus on slowing the bleeding of the wound. Apply pressure and elevate the area that was bitten and make sure to have something to stop the bleeding like a bandage or a handkerchief.
If you have some available, over-the-counter topical antibiotic creams are helpful in preventing infection.
Afterward, you may either leave it exposed to air if the bite is small enough to heal in a matter of minutes. But if not, you have to take some gauze and wrap the wound. Keep it bandaged and change the wrapping every once in a while depending on how badly it is bleeding. Make sure that the wound stays clean.
Once the situation is under control, it is time to make your way to the hospital to get it checked by a doctor.
First Aid for Cuts and Wounds