Top Tips for Keeping Infections Away From Animal Bites

Animal attacks and bites are a common occurrence among Americans, as 4 to 5 million occuring each year. Most of the animal attack injuries are caused by dogs, cats, rodents, rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters. Children seemed more prone to animal bites than adults, as their childish gestures can offend the animals.

Animals with certain diseases or mental disorientation can attack humans out of panic, irritation, fear, or a sudden surge of fury. Among most of the animal bite injuries, rabies is of utmost concern. Although it may not appear serious, skin infections are the most common of all.

All wounds don't look so serious, but severe bite injuries may turn into fatalities. At Injury Rely, our medical professionals provide the best immediate treatment for animal bites to victims. Our wound management, rehabilitative therapy, and reconstructive surgery specialists are available 24/7 to provide you with instant medical attention in case you or anyone closer to you has suffered a severe animal attack.

First Aid Steps for Animal Attacks at Home

Animal attack injuries are life-threatening by nature. On-time care is crucial to ensure your safety. Animal bite treatment requires careful consideration of safety. If you suffered an animal bite, the immediate steps to follow are:

Clean Your Hands

Once you have suffered from animal attack injuries, all you need to do is wash your hands effectively with soap and water before you touch the wounded areas. You can prevent the risks of infection while maintaining cleanliness. Wearing sterile gloves is highly recommended in this particular scenario.

Wash the Wound

Regardless of the severity of the bites, wash the affected area with soap and water. Apply running water to the wounded part for about five minutes to clean it efficiently and remove dirt and bacteria. You should wash the wound thoroughly and remove all traces of soap.

Stop the Bleeding

It is recommended to wash the wound with fresh blood. If the blood continues to ooze out, apply direct pressure with a clean cotton cloth or towel to control the bleeding.

Cover up the Bite Area

Before visiting a doctor, cover the infected area with a clean, dry cloth. You should apply a generic antibiotic ointment to all the wounds, but only if you are sure of its usage.

Expert Treatment Tips for Animal Bites

Once you have suffered from animal attack injuries, you require proper medical care to fight both pain and infection. It is the indoor pets and stray animals that attack humans.

Outdoor pets are most likely to carry the rabies germ when they remain unvaccinated or are sick. Following an animal attack, seven expert suggestions are provided to help prevent infections from animal bites efficiently.

Keep Calm and Focus on Safety

When you get bitten by an animal, do keep calm. Never panic, as it will only exacerbate the situation and make things far worse. It may not be a direct animal bite treatment tip, but it is an expert suggestion to bring the case under tremendous care from the very beginning.

Wash the Wound Area and Control Bleeding

Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 15-20 minutes. With or without a doctor's intervention, rinse the bite area thoroughly to remove saliva, bacteria, or any other external element.

Seek Medical Attention Fast

After an immediate animal attack injury, you need to clean the wounded area thoroughly as fast as possible. It is best to check the wound immediately after suffering a bite to reduce the chances of infection and long-term damage. You can seek expert assistance from Injury Rely when you suffer from

• Deep wounds
• Multiple bites
• Broken bones
• Torn muscles or ligaments
• Pus is coming out of the wound
• Bleeding

Suppose you failed to take a tetanus shot in the last five years. Do consult our medical service provider from Injury Rely when your animal attack injuries seem severe and too profound.

It is our doctors who assess your wound thoroughly and determine the need for medication to treat the injury efficiently. Bites on more sensitive areas, such as the head, face, neck, fingers, and feet, require thorough medical care. Our experts provide animal bite treatment, including rabies risk assessment. We examine the wound and determine whether to apply a tetanus or a prophylactic antibiotic to treat it. In case of severe pain, we offer you effective pain management medication.

Keep the Area Clean and Covered

When the wound is exposed to dirt and dust from outside, the chances of infection spreading remain high. It is advised to keep the area protected from all kinds of harmful elements. Dress the area regularly and keep the injured area clean and dry to prevent the risk of infection.

Keep an Eye on the Infection Symptoms

It is crucial to remain vigilant for all signs of infection, including pain, swelling, redness, and the presence of pus. If you suspect an infection, seek further medical attention promptly with us at Injury Rely.

Watch Out for Symptoms of Rabies

You may not know whether the animal that attacked you has rabies. This is why the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention recommend that injured victims seek medical advice and receive rabies shots. Our experts from Injury Rely constantly monitor the bite area to check for any symptoms.

Report the accident

Do report the accident to the authorities. Although it may not directly relate to animal attack injuries, it is an essential part of the overall process. Kindly report the event to the authorities when it involves an animal bite case that causes serious injuries. Our medical experts from Injury Rely will aid you in reporting the accident.

Do Animal Bites Turn into An Infection?

As a few days pass, and the wounds begin to heal, you can notice symptoms of tenderness, pink skin, swelling, and clear fluid oozing out of the wound, indicating the presence of a severe infection. The symptoms generally last up to a week. You should monitor the symptoms that last for a week. You need to monitor your wound to check for signs of infection. Some of the severe symptoms and infections include

• A fever that lasts for more than 4 hours.
• Increased pain and swelling in the skin extending from the bite.
• Black edges around the bite wound.
• Green or yellow pus
• Redness spreads over the wounded area.

Final Takeaway

Animal bite treatment requires basic first aid. You should seek a doctor from Injury Rely within 24 hours, irrespective of whether the bite injury is serious or not. Victims who suffer from animal attack injuries require treatment options like antibiotics, stitches, vaccinations, and even surgeries. At Injury Rely, our medical professionals recommend that you receive a tetanus booster shot.

Once an animal has bitten you, it’s critical to collect the owner’s information and proof of vaccination. Please follow your healthcare professional's instructions to care for your wounds and watch for signs of infection. Do connect with Injury Rely for the best possible medical treatment and assistance.