Dogs of all ages and breeds can be aggressive if provoked, scared, or ill, and their sharp teeth can cause severe damage. Dog bites can leave open wounds that are painful and prone to infections.
Sadly, around 4.5 million people sustain dog bites yearly in the United States alone, with one in every five requiring medical attention. Even more sadly, some lose their lives due to the resulting injuries.
To stay out of harm’s way, you must always take safety precautions around dogs of any breed. You should also learn about the most common health issues associated with dog bites and the key steps to take if you ever get bitten by a dog.
Health Complications Caused by Dog Bites
Regardless of whether dog bites seem minor or not, they can lead to serious complications and may cause permanent damage. They can lead to a series of complications and potential long-term disabilities.
Being aware of the risks and health complications associated with dog bites can help you take preventative steps to avoid them altogether, such as giving aggressive dogs chew toys to keep them occupied.
If you sustain injuries following a dog bite and believe the owner is responsible, contact one of the Lamber Goodnow Injury Lawyers in Tucson or your local area. Find an attorney who specializes in dog bites for legal guidance on how to claim against the dog’s owner and gain compensation for your injuries and trauma.
Here are some of the most common health complications associated with dog bites.
Open wounds and swelling
Dog’s teeth are like razors, and they can tear through skin, muscles, and tendons too easily than most of us would like to think. When a dog gets its teeth into your skin, it can leave a nasty open wound that can bleed and swell.
Depending on how deep your wound is, you may be dealing with anything from a minor graze to a deep gash, the latter of which can cause severe pain. Your wound may continue to bleed and become more painful until you receive medical treatment.
Infections
Open wounds are highly prone to bacterial infections. If you don’t clean and cover your wound properly after getting bitten by a dog, you could end up with a serious infection.
Dogs can carry various diseases that are transmissible to humans, including Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Rabies. If an infected dog sinks their teeth into your skin and contacts a blood vessel, it could transfer these diseases to you.
You must be aware of the signs of wound infections and keep an eye out for them in the weeks following the dog bite. If you notice changes in the skin’s color or texture, or excess swelling, redness, and pus, contact a doctor immediately. This is especially important if you notice systemic symptoms of infection, such as fatigue, dizziness, headaches, joint pain, difficulty swallowing, nausea, excessive sweating, and fever.
If you do have an infection, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics or antivirals to aid your immune system in getting rid of the disease efficiently.
Damage to internal structures
If a dog bite is deep enough to penetrate through all layers of your skin and enter the underlying structures, you may end up with nerve, muscle, and tendon damage.
These internal structures lie relatively close to the skin’s surface, so it only takes a few seconds for a dog to cause them damage. Nerve, muscle, and tendon damage can cause permanent damage and disabilities if severe enough.
Damage to the blood vessels can also stunt blood flow to distal areas of the body. For example, if you sustain a deep dog bite on your upper arm, your lower arm and hand may receive less blood than usual, leading to tingling, numbness, and necrosis (tissue death).
If you have damage to your nerves, muscles, or tendons (which will be pretty obvious) after a dog bites you, seek medical attention as soon as possible. The quicker you receive treatment, the better the outcome.
Scarring
One of the most common complications of dog bites is permanent scarring. The deeper the dog bite, the more likely it is that you will sustain a permanent scar.
Although there is little you can do to get rid of a scar, you can use topical creams and lotions to encourage healing and reduce its appearance. You’ll need to consult a dermatologist for specialized creams, but you may also be able to purchase some effective over-the-counter lotions.
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