In the United States alone, 4.5 million people are the victims of dog bites each year. Of these, half are children. And one out of every five dog bites is serious enough to require medical attention. In spite of that seemingly large number, keep in mind that there are over 70 million pet dogs in the US, meaning that most of them never bite people. The ones that do, however, can inflict serious injury, not to mention lasting scars.
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Dog bites can be tricky to deal with, and it can be even trickier to predict what kind of scar will eventually form. All dog bites are unique; they can be on different areas of the body, often involve the face, and typically have an irregular shape, jagged edges, and non-uniform depths. This can result in a non-uniform scar, one that has uneven thicknesses and uneven colors. Dog bites can range from small puncture wounds or scratches to moderate cuts to extremely severe injuries with large areas of skin, tissue, and even bone damage.
Whether a dog bite requires medical treatment or not, the first step in minimizing scarring is preventing infection. The inflammation of infection will typically lead to delayed healing and a more visible scar once the wound finally does heal. If your doctor recommends that you take antibiotics, follow his or her instructions; this will help you avoid infection. Otherwise, be sure to keep the wound clean and covered, and consider using an antibiotic ointment as it heals.
As soon as the bite heals, begin using a scar treatment product on the area. Look for one that contains silicone, which has been proven to minimize scarring as well as help fade existing scars. Also choose a product that contains only safe and natural ingredients, such as licorice, vitamin C, and aloe vera, and does not contain dangerous chemicals like hydroquinone.
Be sure to apply the product directly to your skin. If the scar is in an area that is exposed to sunlight when you go outside, do wear a strong sunscreen, but apply it after your scar treatment has been applied and is dry. Avoid exposing your healing scar to the sun’s UV rays, as this can cause darkening or discoloration of the scar, which can be permanent. Massaging the scar, getting plenty of exercise, avoiding smoking, and eating a healthy diet rich in vitamins A and C, protein, and zinc will all help the scar heal faster and better.
Some dog bites may require scar revision. This may be an issue especially when the dog bite is on the face. Because dog bites to the face can leave wide, jagged, dark, or highly visible scars, every effort is made to minimize the scarring as much as possible. Sometimes multiple surgeries are performed. This can be an effective way to prevent a large visible scar; just remember that scar revision does leave a new scar. However, it will be much less noticeable than the original scar, and taking the steps listed above to minimize it can give you a beautiful result.
Have a question about your scar? Leave a comment and we’ll be happy to answer.
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photo credit: evocateur via photopin cc
