1. Your Immediate Priority: The First 10 Minutes
The actions you take in the first few minutes after a dog bite are the most critical for preventing complications. These four steps are designed to clean the wound thoroughly and reduce the risk of a serious infection taking hold.
- Thoroughly Wash the Wound The bitten area must be washed immediately with soap and plenty of running water for at least 5-10 minutes. This is not a quick rinse; the goal is to mechanically remove bacteria, saliva, and other contaminants from the wound. This single action significantly reduces the chances of infection.
- Control the Bleeding Using a clean cloth or sterile gauze, apply firm and direct pressure to the wound. While small cuts and scrapes may stop bleeding on their own, deeper puncture wounds will likely require sustained pressure to control the blood flow, prevent significant blood loss, and allow you to properly clean the wound.
- Apply an Antiseptic After the wound has been thoroughly washed and any significant bleeding is under control, carefully apply a suitable antiseptic solution. This helps kill any microbes that may remain on the surface of the wound after washing.
- Cover the Wound Protect the area from further contamination by covering it with a sterile bandage or a clean piece of gauze.
After completing these first aid steps, your next move is the most important one: getting a professional medical evaluation.