Being bitten by a dog isn’t just dangerous and physically painful. It can also be very traumatic and cause huge stress to a person. However, it’s important to react immediately. Assess the wound and determine how severe it is. Tending to the injury and administering first aid right away is very important to reduce the risk of bacterial infection. In some cases, you will need medical treatment, so don’t hesitate to go to the hospital.
Make sure you call someone to drive you to the doctor. After a dog bite, you are probably going to be pretty shaken whether the dog is yours or not and it can be dangerous to drive anywhere yourself. You will also need moral support and having a loved one by your side can reduce stress and make you feel better.
If you are interested to know what exactly you should do when you get hurt by a dog bite, you are in the right place. Read on to learn which steps to take.
Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer
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Understanding your legal rights is always important, especially after an accident. If your wounds are severe you may need to go to the hospital and pay a lot of money for your medical treatment. You may also need to take a few days off work and not to mention the stress, emotional trauma, and pain you are going through. A dog attack can turn your life upside down and the last thing you need to worry about is money. The good news is that a personal injury lawyer can help you get fair compensation. Respected lawyers from THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys claim you can get it for your medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacities, but also for pain, suffering, and mental anguish. It’s important to contact your lawyers as soon as possible after the attack. They will explore all your legal options and help you move forward with your life.
Administer First Aid
There are different types of first aid you can administer but it basically depends on the severity of the wound. In case your skin isn’t broken you should just wash the bite with soap and warm water. Don’t forget to apply an antibacterial lotion as well. It’s a good precaution and you know it’s better to be safe than sorry.
However, if the skin is broken you should still wash it with soap and water but gently press on the bite area. This will cause a small amount of bleeding which is great to prevent infections and flush out bacteria. If the area is already bleeding heavily, medical experts recommend applying a clean cloth to the bite and pressing gently to stop the bleeding. After a few minutes apply antibacterial lotion and cover the wound with a sterile bandage.
Make sure you monitor your wound for signs of infection, no matter how minor and small it seems. If it becomes swollen, warm, red, or painful, or you end up developing a fever, you should go see a doctor as soon as possible.
Seek Help Immediately
Did you know that only one of five dog bites actually requires medical treatment? Still, if you get bitten it’s important to be responsible and see your doctor. Your health is precious and you don’t want things to get more complicated.
There are certain situations when it’s absolutely necessary to seek medical help immediately. For example, if your wound can’t stop bleeding and causes intense pain or it looks swollen, inflamed, and read. If you can’t bend your fingers or you experience a similar loss of function it’s necessary to go to the hospital. Also, it’s important to know if the dog was vaccinated. If the dog isn’t yours and you don’t know their rabies vaccine history, you should definitely report it to your doctor. The same goes for if the dog looked sick or acted erratically. Getting a tetanus shot is the best idea. It can save your life and prevent many health problems that can be caused by a dog bite. Also, if you feel weak, faint, or disoriented, or if you are running a fever, going to the hospital is your best option.
Dog bites aren’t always dangerous but they can cause a few complications, including rabies, infections, and muscle or nerve damage. In very severe cases there can be broken bones and tetanus. Scaring is very common but mild scars will lessen over time. Severe scarring, however, can be very problematic and requires medical attention.
Dog bites are scary and can cause complications when untreated. This is the reason why it’s important to react immediately and prevent damage. If you get bitten by a dog, follow this simple guide and be responsible for your health. Make sure you seek medical help and stay safe.
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