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How Can A Swollen And Painful Hand After A Dog Bite Be Treated?
Suggest treatment for swollen and painful dog bite on hand my dog bit me - a small puncture on the back of my left hand. Within an hour the back of my hand is swollen and extremely sore. it bled for quite a while until I butterflied it. Still swollen ad tender
Tue, 18 Dec 2018
Hi,
Bacteria from the skin or from the mouth can cause infection in the case of animal bites.
Thorough washing, soaking, or even surgical drainage of the bite wound is needed to clear the infection, and wounds often are left open so that any infection can drain.
When seen early, some types of infection can be treated with antibiotics and local rest and soaking.
However, many infections begin to cause severe problems, after a day or two, if not treated with antibiotics, surgical drainage, and removal of infected tissues.
As of now you should take an NSAID such as Advil and an antibiotic such as cefixime.
Any drainage or pus should be sent for laboratory testing to determine the type of bacteria causing the infection and the appropriate antibiotic for treatment.
I will advise consult a surgeon at the earliest.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Prabhash Verma,
General & Family Physician
Bacteria from the skin or from the mouth can cause infection in the case of animal bites.
Thorough washing, soaking, or even surgical drainage of the bite wound is needed to clear the infection, and wounds often are left open so that any infection can drain.
When seen early, some types of infection can be treated with antibiotics and local rest and soaking.
However, many infections begin to cause severe problems, after a day or two, if not treated with antibiotics, surgical drainage, and removal of infected tissues.
As of now you should take an NSAID such as Advil and an antibiotic such as cefixime.
Any drainage or pus should be sent for laboratory testing to determine the type of bacteria causing the infection and the appropriate antibiotic for treatment.
I will advise consult a surgeon at the earliest.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Prabhash Verma,
General & Family Physician
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