More than $100 million is spent treating dog bites every year in the United States. Dog bites are potentially dangerous, sometimes resulting in serious wounds or disfiguring scars. Worse still, dogs often target the face "“ an area especially susceptible to serious scarring and disfigurement. Depending on the extent of injury, dog bite treatments can range from a thorough cleaning and bandaging of the wound to reconstructive surgery .

Types of Injuries Requiring Dog Bite Treatment

Dog bites can result in a number of different types of injuries. Some of the common types of injuries requiring dog bite treatment include: cuts, abrasions, lacerations, punctures tissue loss, and fractured bones .

Basic Dog Bite Treatment

Fortunately, not all dog bites require medical attention. Dog bite treatments that do not require medical attention, like minor cuts, generally only require a thorough cleaning and bandaging of the wound.

However, if infection is suspected, it is important to immediately contact a docto r who can provide the dog bite treatment needed. Signs of infection may include redness, swelling, red streaking, and fever. Seeking proper dog bite treatment is crucial to patient recovery. Other reasons to seek medical care include: a gaping wound, a wound that does not stop bleeding, open wounds on the face.

Reconstructive Surgery: A Dog Bite Treatment Option

Unfortunately, there are situations that require more extensive dog bite treatment measures like reconstructive surgery. Some dog bites result in underlying tissue, nerve, and bone damage . Oftentimes, dog bites lead to considerable scars . Reconstructive surgery offers an effective dog bite treatment option in such instances.

A qualified reconstructive surgeon can perform skin and tissue grafts to close or restore the disfigured feature as well as repair or reattach damaged blood vessels. Reconstructive surgery can also minimize the appearance of scars, although some scarring is usually inevitable. Other dog bite treatments used by plastic surgeons to reduce scarring and improve deformity include dermabrasion and pressure scar modification.

If you or someone you love has suffered a facial or other highly visible wound as the result of a dog bite, you may wish to consult with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon. A qualified plastic surgeon can best evaluate your damages and determine the best options for treatment.