Handling properly when a child is bitten by a dog and how to prevent it

In undesirable cases, it is possible for a child to be bitten by a dog and what parents need to do is give first aid properly and get the child vaccinated promptly. 

There have been many cases of children being bitten to death by dogs due to lack of first aid and proper treatment. Therefore, it is very important to learn how to first aid and treat the injury if this accident occurs to protect the life and health of your baby.

In this article, aFamilyToday Health invites you to learn about first aid when a dog bites, forms of vaccination when bitten by a dog, and measures to prevent this accident.

First aid for children bitten by dogs

Dogs mainly attack the head, neck, face, hands and feet of young children. These are places that are easy for us to access as well as to treat wounds. First aid will be based on the severity of the wound:

Small wound, preliminary scratches: Wash the wound carefully with soap and water. Use hydrogen peroxide or an antibiotic cream on the wound to avoid infection. Cover the wound with a gauze bandage, limit not to be too tight.

Deep wound: If a child is bitten by a dog, causing skin tear and blood loss, gently press on the wound with a clean cloth / cloth, then take him to the nearest medical facility immediately.

Handling when bitten by a dog

Treating a child bitten by a dog may include the following:

Clean the wound with clean water

Remove foreign bodies on the wound, dead skin, sand, and feathers

Cover with gauze

If your baby is at risk for infection, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics.

Your doctor may also advise parents to pay attention to the child's wound for 24 to 48 hours to look for signs of infection.

Your doctor will also consider and advise on whether or not to give your child tetanus and rabies vaccine.

Forms of vaccinations for babies

A bite from a dog or any other animal carries the risk of infecting a young child. So your doctor may recommend preventive treatment for three to five days, starting within 12 to 24 hours after a child has been bitten. Here are a few injections your child may need:

1. Tetanus

A tetanus shot is usually not used when a child is bitten by a dog, unless the wound shows signs of contamination with the soil and the baby has never had a tetanus shot before.

Tetanus infections are often caused by the clostridium tetani bacteria, mainly found in the soil. Children infected with the bacteria may experience stiffness in the jaw, neck or abdominal muscles and spasm of the body. This condition is quite rare but poses an immeasurable danger to health.

2. Rabies

The risk of getting rabies can increase after a baby is bitten by a dog. If the dog bites your baby that has not been previously vaccinated or you are unsure of this, the doctor will administer rabies vaccination.

How to prevent a child from being bitten by a dog

Some ways to prevent a child from being bitten by a dog include:

Tell your baby to avoid approaching or touching unfamiliar or wandering puppies

If a dog is traveling with an owner, always consult them before the baby touches the pet

Tell your child to walk lightly if you encounter an aggressive dog and avoid eye contact with them

If the dog is being chased by a dog, the baby should stand still instead of trying to run

If attacked by a dog, the child should cover the head and neck by clasping the hands behind the nape of the neck, bending the arms as close to the neck and body as possible.

Tell your child not to yell, tease, or hit the dog

When a dog is resting or eating, the baby should not be disturbed

Love your pet as a member of the family, and isolating or keeping them in the cage for too long will cause the dog to develop an aggressive temper.

Young children should not force the dog to play with them and let the dog go if it is not interested

Parents tell their children never to make fun of dogs or pull their ears and tails.

In addition to the above notes, you can also instruct your dog on his body language, including:

If your dog yawns, closes his ears, or raises his legs, it means he is worried about something.

When a dog puts its tail under or between its legs or lies down with one front leg raised or staring at you, the dog feels threatened.

If the dog growls, leave instead of trying to approach.

When teaching your children how to prevent dog bites and how to stay safe, teach your children how to treat their pets with respect and love.