Top tips for how to handle dog bites

Earlier this autumn I realised there was something I wish I’d known more about. It was dog bites.

Fifteen-month old Baby Boy was bitten by a dog in the park, and we rushed straight to private GP practice Coyne Medical near Parsons Green to see a doctor. Baby Boy, who has become a bit of a regular there recently, was looked after straight away and had his hand cleaned properly.

For others who want to be on top of dog bites, here are the top tips from Dr J Hugh Coyne at Coyne Medical:

Every year around a quarter of a million people in the UK see a doctor having been bitten by a dog. Most of those who are bitten are children under five and more boys than girls are bitten.

If your child is bitten by a dog, here’s what you need to do:

Clean: Clean even the most trivial of wound. Dog mouths are packed with bacteria. Cleaning will reduce the risk of infection. There is no need to use antiseptic cleaners as these may cause irritation and delay wound healing. Instead use copious amounts of tap water to irrigate the wound. After cleaning apply a sterile dressing. If the wound is bleeding apply some pressure to the dressing. If possible, elevate the wound if it is bleeding. If the bleeding goes through the first dressing don’t remove it, simply place another dressing over the top and reapply the pressure.

See a doctor: If the wound has broken through the skin or is bleeding it should be assessed by a doctor. The doctor can then make a careful assessment of the wound. Certain wounds such as those on the feet and legs and hands and arms are more likely to become infected. The doctor will also need to assess if there is damage to any underlying structures or if the wound needs to be stitched. Don’t be surprised if the doctor suggests not stitching the wound. Many bites are best left to heal on their own.

The doctor can also decide if antibiotics are required. This is more likely with wounds on the hands or with large, deep wounds.

Look Out: In the few days following a dog bite look out for any increased pain, redness, swelling or oozing from the wound which can often signal infection. See a doctor as soon as possible if your child develops a high temperature after a dog bite.

Afterwards: Children are often apprehensive of animals after a dog bite. Explain to your child what happened and why. Most children are bitten by a dog they know, so it’s important to explain to children how to interact with pets safely. As dogs tend to chase a moving object children should be encouraged to be relatively still and calm when around dogs. When dogs approach children it is useful to tell them to be “statue still.” If your child wants to pet or stroke a dog, they should allow the dog to sniff them first “to get to know them.”

Dr J Hugh Coyne and Dr Lucy Hooper opened the family-friendly private GP practice Coyne Medical in Fulham earlier in the year

Tags: Baby health, Coyne Medical, Dog bites, Fulham, Health, Parsons Green, Private GP, Wound