A dog bite can be extremely scary and painful. Sometimes, children go to pet and hug a dog, but the animal may have other thoughts and could accidentally or playfully scratch or bite the child. A bite that has broken the skin is likely to get infected. It is estimated that 800,000 people in the United States need treatment for dog bites each year. In case the animal is current with its vaccinations, you would not need dog bite treatment injections. However, to be on the safe side, you need tetanus shots as well as anti-rabies shot-just in case. Additionally, the following home remedies for dog bite scars and pain can help.

1. Wash your skin with warm water and soap

The first few hours after a dog bite can be extremely painful. However, it is essential to immediately wash the bitten area with warm water and soap. Allow the infected blood to flow out. After 5 minutes of washing under running water, pour an antiseptic lotion on the wound. You can also use colloidal silver ointment as it is antibacterial. Keep the area elevated to curb blood flow and swelling. Take a pain medicine. It is important that you see a doctor right away for dog bite treatment injections.

2. Observe the wound over the next few days

After administering first aid dog bite treatment, observe the wound carefully over the next few days. It is natural for the area to be swollen. However, if there is pus, foul odor and oozing reddish liquid, chances are that the bite is infected. You may need antibiotics to prevent further complications. Take the prescribed drugs for at least 5-7 days or as advised, to prevent complications.

3. Turmeric

If you are wondering if turmeric is good for dog bite, the answer is yes. This natural remedy helps speed up healing, is naturally antiseptic, and can prevent scar. Turmeric for dog bite is indeed very effective. Apply a paste of turmeric on the wound. Tie up a bandage loosely around the bite to prevent your clothes from staining. Change this ‘dressing’ after few hours; reapply fresh turmeric paste to the wound each time. Do this everyday until the wound heals completely. Also take turmeric capsules to speed up healing and fight infections naturally. You can also use this as one of the home remedies for dog bites on dog.

4. Take heavy dose of Vitamin C

Vitamin C antioxidant helps speed up healing and also prevents infection. Therefore, you must make it a part of your dog bite treatment. Vitamin C is also beneficial in repairing collagen and connective tissue. Use this remedy even if you have taken dog bite treatment injections.

5. Colloidal silver

Colloidal silver is antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic. Apply gel or cream containing colloidal silver on the dog bite and also take a few drops of colloidal silver mixed with water internally to fight the infection.

6. Garlic

Eat plenty of crushed garlic which is a natural antibiotic.

7. B-complex

Take a supplement containing B complex vitamins to help lower stress and facilitate antibody production. This will help speed up cell repair.

8. Goldenseal salve

Apply goldenseal salve on the wound as part of dog bite treatment. This is one of the most effective home remedies for dog bite scars prevention.

9. Take Echinacea

Echinacea herb improves the natural immune system defense to fight infection and speed up the body’s natural healing ability.

10. Take probiotic supplement

Your doctor may prescribe a round of antibiotics along with dog bite treatment injections. Antibiotics tend to destroy the natural friendly bacteria in your system making your body prone to yeast and other infections. So do take probiotic foods and supplements 2-3 hours after taking antibiotics, every day for the duration of treatment. This will replenish the acidophilus or friendly bacteria in the gut.