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Arjun Tendulkar Bit By Dog before Mumbai Indians IPL Game: Dog Bite First Aid

Arjun Tendulkar encountered an unexpected setback when he was bitten by a dog. In a video shared by the Lucknow Super Giants on Twitter, a player from the opposing team can be seen asking Tendulkar how he was. The junior Tendulkar reveals by showing his bowling hand that a dog had bitten him the day before the match.

According to a study, India has approximately 25 million dogs, with a dog man ratio of 1:36 [1]. These dogs fall into four categories - pets, family dogs, community dogs and feral dogs.

dog bite first aid

In this article, we will inform you as to what to do when the dog bites you or someone else.

What To Do When A Dog Bites

What To Do When A Dog Bites

Once you are bitten by a dog, it is necessary to take care of the injury as soon as possible to lower the risk of bacterial infection. In some cases, you will be able to give first aid to yourself and in other cases medical treatment is required [3].

The type of first aid needed depends on the severity of the bite. Here is a list of things you should do before seeking medical attention:

  • If the skin is torn, wash the area with warm soap water and gently press on the wound to ensure a small amount of bleeding. This will aid in flushing out the germs.
  • If the skin isn't torn, wash the area with warm soap water and apply a bacterial lotion to the area.
  • If it is a bleeding wound, apply a clean cloth to the wound and gently press it to stop the bleeding. Apply an anti-bacterial lotion and cover it with a sterile bandage.
  • Watch out for signs of infection and check if it becomes red, swollen, warm and tender to touch.
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When To See A Doctor

When To See A Doctor

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 in 5 people bitten by a dog requires medical attention. Seek medical treatment immediately

  • if the bleeding doesn't stop,
  • if you experience extreme pain,
  • if you have been bitten by a dog with an unknown rabies vaccine history,
  • if the wound is too deep and exposes the bone, tendons and muscles,
  • if the wound is swollen or red and if the wound oozes pus or fluid.
  • Also, it is important to know that taking a rabies shot is necessary after a dog bite. Rabies is a deadly virus that progresses rapidly, so immediate medical treatment is required. The rabies vaccine is a series of four injections that are given over the course of several weeks to prevent rabies or counteract the virus after a dog bite [4].

    Rabies In Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis And TreatmentRabies In Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment

How To Prevent Infection

How To Prevent Infection

A dog's mouth contains many types of bacteria including Staphylococcus, Pasteurella and Capnocytophaga [5]. If the bacteria enter the skin through a dog bite, it can cause many complications.

So, it is very important to wash the wound as soon as you are bitten and apply topical antibiotics on the wound as prescribed by the doctor [6].

Keep the wound covered with a bandage and keep checking for any signs of infection. If you see any signs of infections, check with a doctor right away.

Rabies In Humans: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Treatment And PreventionRabies In Humans: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Treatment And Prevention

What You Can Do To Prevent A Dog Bite

What You Can Do To Prevent A Dog Bite

  • When choosing a dog as a pet, pick the one with a good temperament.
  • Keep distance from stray dogs.
  • Do not leave children alone with a dog.
  • Avoid playing with a dog that is eating or feeding her puppies.
  • While approaching a dog, go slow and give the dog a chance to approach you.
  • If a dog becomes aggressive do not run or scream, stay calm and move slowly and try not to make any eye contact with the dog [7]