Dog Bites

[RawMomma]

My beautiful and brave baby girl was bitten in the face yesterday by a dog. She now has stitches by her mouth and eye. She has the most beautiful skin. I wanted to know if any of you kind people know of natural remedies for scars. The wound under her eye is quite deep and they only put surface stitches. She is 4 years old. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thank you

Annie

[Rawmommie]

Annie, I'm so sorry to hear this! When I was 3 I was bit in the face by my neighbors dog (I was hugging it too hard and squeezed her ear by accident). The bite was through my cheek, so they put the stitches inside. They didn't have too many special things for scars back then I don't think, but I remember putting this oil stuff on it for years. It's still there, but everyone thinks it's a dimple b/c of where it's placed. I think there is a thread somewhere around here recently talking about scars? Coconut oil was mentioned, I know that. Maybe someone else knows where it is at or you can do a search.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Oh - my heart dropped when I read this. How scary. I'm so sorry.

I would suggest any kind of natural oil - coconut oil, cocoa butter, etc. Might want to look into Vitamin E oil too.

Probably be a good idea to use the oil after it closes up enough.

[Rawkinlocs]

Oh Annie...I can TOTALLY relate to this as my daughter was bit in the face by my mother-in-law's dog when she was 5. She, too, had to get stitches and we used real African Shea Butter on her skin and her scars cleared up considerably, though they are still visible, but nowhere NEAR as badly as we suspected they would be. Also, I think her having a cleaner diet plays a part in how she healed as well.

A big (((HUG))) to you and your little one! Poor baby :(

[Autumn]

I don't have any suggestions other than those already offered, but I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am. :( I hope she is not in pain and that she heals as quickly as possible.

[rawpriestess]

Oh I am so very sorry about your little one, how scary that is.

I was bitten in the face by a friend's dog when I was 9, I was simply sitting on the grass, and the dog came up and bit me, it was a German Shepard.

I don't remember what happened with the dog, or my friend, although I do remember never going to her house again.

But my mom put lanolin oil on my scar, between my mouth and my nose, and you can't see it at all.

In fact, I don't remember ever being able to see it, although I did have a big hole there when it first happened.

So, the Lanolin might work for her.

And blessings to you both.

[Lady Green Jeans]

I hope for speedy healing for your little one. I do not have experience but have read that the peel of papaya with some of the flesh--placed flesh side to the skin--was very healing after surgery to help heal surgical scars. Something to do with the papian.

Kathy

[mbf]

Oh how awful, best wishes for your little one. I have a 5 yr old and 8 yr old and am just so sorry this happened. I'm sure the dog was tested for rabies etc..

I have always used vitamin E (gel caps) for every minor scrape and cut around our house, just pop a whole and put it on, but we have never had anything involving the eye.

I will say our 15 lb Jack russell terrier was attacked by a 94 lb dog this summer, left her with 180 horible stitches and there is not a scar ! You would never know, the vet was amazed, my family that was here for thanksgiving kept looking her over saying they couldn't believe it either. I put vitamin E on at least 2xs a day as the stitches healed....

of course your little girl is far more precious and we hope she heals quickly.

MBF

[RawMomma]

Thank you all for your advice! I am at this time changing her bandages and cleaning up the area gently twice a day, then putting on a antibiotic ointment and bandaging it up again. The nurse recommended using the bandages for 2 to 3 days then just using the ointment. I am hesitant of trying anything on them when they are still healing, we need to be very careful of bacteria and infection. I know I have heard of vitamin e being very useful on the skin. I thought about trying breast milk :p because I just read that it has strong antibacterial properties. But I am uncomfortable testing on my baby.

Thank you very much for all your kind words and encouragment. My daughter is so sweet and is dealing with this so beautifully. It brings home the value of our little ones when something like this happens. I cannot comprehend how I would deal with what other mothers have to everyday. Cancer, Car accidents, War and Crime. My daughter's injury is relatively minor compared to what other children have to go through. I look forward to the time when all these things will be gone forever!

Thank you again,

Annie