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Is Swelling In The Arm And Shoulder Pain After A Dog Bite Require Immediate Medical Attention?
Question: I was bitten by a dog that I know is vaccinated, last thurs. my arm is slightly swollen but hurts to the shoulder, and is a little warmer to the touch. I have been cleaning the wound around the thumb regularly with peroxide. I would like to wait until tomorrow to see my physician. Do I need to worry?
Brief Answer:
inflammation/infection?
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
pain, redness, swelling and warmth are signs of inflammation. You've got at least two of them. Infection is also likely but I can't say without clinical examination (and without a picture as well). Another helpful sign would be your body temperature. If you have fever then the infection is a sure thing and that would be an urgent situation. Otherwise you can wait until tomorrow for your doctor's assessment.
Hope I have answered your query.
Kind Regards!
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis,
Internal Medicine Specialist
inflammation/infection?
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
pain, redness, swelling and warmth are signs of inflammation. You've got at least two of them. Infection is also likely but I can't say without clinical examination (and without a picture as well). Another helpful sign would be your body temperature. If you have fever then the infection is a sure thing and that would be an urgent situation. Otherwise you can wait until tomorrow for your doctor's assessment.
Hope I have answered your query.
Kind Regards!
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis,
Internal Medicine Specialist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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