What should you do after a dog bites you?
Issac Trantow
2025-06-05 18:00:42
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If you’ve been bitten by an animal or another person: clean the wound immediately by running warm tap water over it for a couple of minutes – it’s a good idea to do this even if the skin doesn’t appear to be broken. Remove any objects from the bite, such as teeth, hair or dirt. Encourage the wound to bleed slightly by gently squeezing it, unless it’s already bleeding freely. If the wound is bleeding heavily, put a clean pad or sterile dressing over it and apply pressure. Dry the wound and cover it with a clean dressing or plaster. Take painkillers if you’re in pain, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen – children under 16 years old shouldn’t take aspirin. Seek medical advice, unless the wound is very minor. If the bite has broken the skin, you should seek immediate medical attention after cleaning the wound. Don’t delay seeking help until symptoms of infection appear.
Zackery Okuneva
2025-06-01 10:05:21
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You should bring your child back to hospital to be seen by a doctor or nurse practitioner as soon as possible if there are any signs of infection, such as redness, pain that is out of proportion to the wound, swelling, smelly discharge. Your child’s wound will be thoroughly cleaned and afterwards we will prescribe a 5 day course of the antibiotic co-amoxiclav to stop any infection developing if the bite has broken the skin. If your child has had all their routine vaccinations, and the last vaccine was given within 10 years of the bite, they are already covered against tetanus. Some dog bites may be higher risk for tetanus, and in this case, or if your child has not had their routine vaccinations, your child’s doctor or nurse practitioner will advise that they have a tetanus booster and an extra shot against tetanus. The UK is considered to be a ‘no risk’ country for rabies in dogs, however if your child was bitten by a dog overseas please let your doctor or nurse practitioner know, so that they can check to see if your child needs a rabies shot. Almost all dog bites that break the skin carry a risk of infection due to the large amount of bacteria that live in a dog’s mouth. For this reason, some wounds are allowed to heal without stitches or glue, because this reduces the chance of the wound becoming heavily infected.
Rudolph Sipes
2025-05-18 20:06:05
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: 9
Do clean the skin around the wound with soap and warm water – you can also use antiseptic, but try not to get it in the wound. Try to remove any objects like teeth, hair or dirt from the wound using running water. Gently squeeze the wound so it bleeds slightly – this can help reduce the risk of infection. Press a dry dressing or clean cloth firmly onto the wound to stop the bleeding. If it's bleeding heavily after cleaning the wound, gently pat it dry and cover it with a clean dressing. Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help ease any pain and swelling – children under 16 should not take aspirin. Get help from NHS 111 if you think there may still be objects like teeth, hair or dirt in the wound. Go to A&E if the wound is large or deep. Bring any medicines you take with you.
Kara Schowalter
2025-05-18 17:04:22
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: 7
You should always see a primary care provider if you’re bitten. No matter what, make sure you see a doctor within eight hours of a dog bite, he says. If a dog bites you, take these steps right away: Wash the wound. Use mild soap, and run warm tap water over it for five to 10 minutes. 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. Waiting longer raises your infection risk. Your doctor will want to know more about the dog that bit you and how it happened. They will also likely clean the wound again, apply antibiotic ointment and prescribe antibiotics, such as Augmentin, if there’s an infection concern. Change the bandage several times a day once your doctor has examined the wound. Watch for signs of infection, including redness, swelling, increased pain and fever.
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