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Suggest Remedies For Dog Bite

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Posted on Mon, 20 Jun 2016
Question: I was bitten by a dog about 3 weeks ago. It was a deep puncture wound on the thumb close to the nail and a deep scratch on the top of the thumb just below the nail. The puncture has healed well, but the less serious scratch has a large red patch and the skin has peeled twice. is there something that I can do to get this to mend quicker? it is very itchy and yet tender.
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Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
infection?

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

although dog bites are less likely to become infected (compared to human or cat bites for example), they may sometimes do so. The red patch and the delayed healing are potential signs of infection. Other signs to look for include low grade (or not so low grade) fever, local warmth (compared to the surrounding tissues) and pain. Pus collection might be hard to clear without draining. Your diabetes does not help at all because diabetic patients have a less competent immune system and their wounds heal slowly.

Your doctor should check your digit to look for signs of infection and perhaps pus collection. If you have pus in your digit then drainage might be required. Antibiotic treatment may help otherwise. Local treatments are usually not very effective.

I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3817 Questions

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Suggest Remedies For Dog Bite

Brief Answer: infection? Detailed Answer: Hello, although dog bites are less likely to become infected (compared to human or cat bites for example), they may sometimes do so. The red patch and the delayed healing are potential signs of infection. Other signs to look for include low grade (or not so low grade) fever, local warmth (compared to the surrounding tissues) and pain. Pus collection might be hard to clear without draining. Your diabetes does not help at all because diabetic patients have a less competent immune system and their wounds heal slowly. Your doctor should check your digit to look for signs of infection and perhaps pus collection. If you have pus in your digit then drainage might be required. Antibiotic treatment may help otherwise. Local treatments are usually not very effective. I hope it helps! Kind Regards!