Add half a cup of salt to the water. Everyone's tried home remedies. Add any aroma oil to the water. Epsom salt can be added to a warm bath or foot soak to provide a variety of benefits, including soothing the skin, reducing stress, and relieving pain. I did some research on it and found out that it is possible, but it is also extremely rare. You may see redness, swelling or oozing. Inspect the bite and look for areas where the skin may have been broken. can also mix the salt with ointment (steroid) or bactroban-mupirocin. It’s important to apply cold during the first few days after an injury. keep the part of your body that hurts in the water for at least 12 minutes. if medical care is avail. Saltier water would typically sting and might be so irritating that it would interfere with healing. Raccoons, opossums, skunks, coyotes, foxes, and bats are the most common wild vectors. The affected area should be soaked in the water several times a day for up to 10 minutes each time until the infection shows improvement, according to Natural Stress Care. Contact a doctor if it begins to get infected. Soak the paws for five to 10 minutes, then remove. Epsal; Epsom Salt; Rite Aid First Aid Epsom Salt; Canadian Brand Name. Allow to dissolve, then soak for 10-20 minutes. In addition, Epsom salt bath should not also be taken too frequently, as similar to table salt, Epsom salt is a drying agent, so that it takes your skin moisture, resulting in drying out skin cells. This helps alleviate pain and muscle soreness, prevents infection, and heals wounds rapidly. I can’t remember ever seeing a sick opossum in the wild, but they are nocturnal. Rabies. Then, apply presure with a clean towel to the injured area to stop any bleeding. There’s very little downside to using Epsom salts in a bath. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Apply a sterile bandage to the wound. Joe Alton, M.D. I, "After searching several sites that were a total waste, I found your site with lots of information and pictures. Apply an antibiotic ointment or cream, coating the area. Soak the affected area in warm Epsom’s salts, again flexing and squeezing the wounds to encourage it to bleed; Seek medical advice from your GP or A&E department; Cat scratch fever is the common name for an infectious bacterial illness called bartonellosis, which is caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae. For a whole bathtub, use warm water with 2 cups of Epsom Salt. Many vets will prescribe this to treat multiple paw-related problems. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. I have cat bites and scratches, some bites punctured the skin but aren't deep and aren't bleeding. Internal benefits of an Epsom salt soak include increased magnesium, improved regulation of electrolytes, and improved blood circulation. The Altons are also the designers of an entire line of medical kits to deal with issues you might encounter after a catastrophe, and produce instructional DVDs to teach skills that might be useful in times of trouble. Go to the doctor immediately if the cat is wild, feral, or you can’t confirm that it was up-to-date on its shots. Treat as you would any contaminated or dirty wound. If you just need to soak your dog's paws you only need a few inches of water. Soap will interfere with the action of the salts. Heals Bug Bites. Regardless of your general opinion regarding them, it might be reasonable to consider if you work with animals as an occupation. i am treating a dog bite on the hand right now by packing the hole with Epsom salt then placing lose piece of gauze over top and a piece of tape to hold in place (note as lose as possible to allow wound to breath. unlocking this expert answer. Answer: Yes, But Be Careful That said, there are many cat owners who give Epsom Salt to their cats, especially for constipation. Don't feed stray or feral cats in areas where they will come into contact with children. The cat isn't vaccinated and my wound isn't swelling. Repeat this process two to three times a day for optimal effects. In this article, we look at the benefits, risks, and evidence behind Epsom salt soaks and other types of foot soak. 3. Add half a cup of salt to the water. Then, disinfect the area by swabbing it with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. You should also seek medical attention if you were bitten by a cat you don't know since it might not be vaccinated. Follow the directions on the product label about how much epsom salt to use per gallon of water. Despite this, their jaws are powerful and can inflict crush injuries to soft tissues. Add about 1 cup of Epsom salt per gallon of water. Tetanus shots and dogs in quarantine fro two weeks. Dr.Bones) - GUEST WRITER, How Pioneers Used Animals Back In The Day, Beyond Distaste: Bug Eating For Survival – Part 2, Emergency Medicine: Treating Animal Bites Correctly | TheSurvivalPlaceBlog, Emergency Medicine: Treating Animal Bites Correctly –, 4 Snakes To Beware Of In American Wildernessdisasterdefense.us | disasterdefense.us, Raw Honey Works Better Than Drugs for Herpes! You'll want enough water to submerge the area of your dog you want to soak in the Epsom salt bath. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Never use a higher dose of magnesium sulfate than recommended on the package label, or as your doctor has directed. If you're dealing with a minor cat bite from a cat that you know is vaccinated, you can treat it at home instead. Either way, keep it clean and covered and watch for signs of infection. Epsom salt should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor. The reason most people have a difficult time recovering from muscle soreness and wounds is because of the low magnesium content in their bodies. Allow it to remain in place for 20 minutes. Flushing the wound with an irrigation syringe will help remove dirt and bacteria-containing saliva. If it has pierced the skin, yes. You might want to get a tetanus shot, or just have it looked by a professional. Keep the salt and all other chemicals out of kitty's reach. In this article, we look at the benefits, risks, and evidence behind Epsom salt soaks and other types of foot soak. Apply antibiotic ointment to the area and be sure to watch for signs of infection. We use cookies, just to track visits to our website, we don't store personal details. If you have an older arthritic dog or a dog with sore shoulder muscles this may be a higher bath. What do I do if I was bitten by a feral cat and there's part of the cat's tooth in the wound? Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With that in mind, here are my top eight picks for safe and effective treatment of minor ills: 1. The soak should be as hot as the skin can comfortably stand it. Have a gum problem just brush it with a Qtip 2 times per day and the inflammation is gone in 2 days. In this case, 86% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. READ: English Bulldog Paw Infection Signs, Symptoms & Remedies. “Epsom salt is always there in the pantry, and you should use it as soon as possible for temporary relief,” says Dr. Susan Jewell, an award-winning doctor and scientist in clinical research medicine. We think every household should have Epsom salt on hand at all times. Cats have long fangs, so their bites can be deep and prone to infection. i would like to hear some feed back on wounds treated with Epsom salts . Epsom salt would be much better. Vaccinations are available to prevent the disease. Healing time differs according to each person and how deep the bite is, so many factors, but the soaking will definitely help with healing and preventing infection. Finally, cover the bite with a bandage to keep dirt and bacteria out. Top answers from doctors based on your search: Disclaimer. Epsom salt is great for soaking or for spot treatments. You may read that you should close a wound from an animal bite, but in a survival setting, I would disagree. This is a great for also sunburn (particularly if it’s everywhere!). Get a deep bucket and fill it with warm water, make sure the water is enough to cover your dog’s paws or feet. If the cat is a pet, consult the owner about whether the cat is up-to-date on its shots. anti-inflammatory and pain relief . "I was bitten by a cat I found named Oreo. An antiseptic will be helpful in decreasing the chance of infection. Whenever a person has been bitten, the first and most important action is to put on gloves and clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water. While there are many home-remedy claims associated with Epsom salt, there is no clear scientific evidence that an Epsom salt soak does anything at all. If you did not get instructions, follow this general advice: After 24 to 48 hours, gently wash the wound with clean water 2 times a day. Thanks for sharing! 5. For advice from our Medical co-author, like how to prevent future cat bites, scroll down! Wait a few minutes for the Epsom salt to dissolve. Finally, keep the wound elevated above your heart to prevent swelling and infection. Domestic pets, such as cats, dogs, and small rodents are the culprits in the grand majority of cases. This means that if your wound looks dirty or deep, and you haven’t had a tetanus shot within the last five years, your doctor may give you one to be sure that you won’t get infected. Bug bites will have no effect on bath it may actually help them. Dr. Michael Miller answered. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Lay the cloth over the area you want to treat. The victim may go into a coma or suffer cardiac or respiratory arrest. A, "My brother and my cousin got bit. It's not that deep. The sulfur that is part of the compound has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties, which is why Epsom salt is often recommended as a home remedy not only for cuts and wounds, but also for warts, athlete foot, herpes, acne or for soothing itching chickenpox. They are not mammals and I thought that only mammals caught rabies. Heals Bug Bites. SURVIVOPEDIA helps people regain their peace of mind – by becoming more self-reliant and self sufficient in all aspects of life: from putting food on the table, to keeping your loved one safe, and staying in good health. This article has been viewed 123,770 times. This will help remove dirt and bacteria from the inside of the wound. Do You Know How To Use Snow For Insulation? Research source. Rabies is a dangerous but, luckily, uncommon disease that can be transmitted by an animal bite. 1 decade ago. Infections can lead to cellulitis, an infection of the skin and underlying tissues, or enter the bloodstream, causing septicemia, or blood poisoning. Put your feet in the water and soak them with the salt for … 1 doctor agrees If you have suffered a bee sting, a mosquito bite, spider bite, ticks or bite from any … Feline Epsom salts soak. Then, disinfect the area by swabbing it with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Epsom salts in warm water, will help the wound area. Comprised of magnesium and sulfur, it has a truly astonishing range of uses around the house, for beauty, and for arts and crafts.It is also a great, natural way to relieve bites, stings, rashes, itching and sunburn - basically anything that irritates the skin. You can find out more about infected wounds in our video on the subjecton our YouTube channel (drbonespodcast), as well as our video on dealing with the open wound. I was bitten on my finger by a street cat. Epsom salt provides a wealth of health and beauty benefits. Natural Poultices. Almost all first aid writers recommend the use of antibiotics for a variety of injuries. Salt could certainly make an inhospitable environment for bacteria and the warm water could increase blood flow to … Even if your cat is not hurt but has had an overly active day or a few days, then a warm soak is something that might be useful in alleviating some of the soreness caused by the fatigue or injury. how to use epsom salt on open wounds. It is estimated that 40,000 persons in the United States receive a rabies prevention treatment after exposure every year. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If the cat is yours, check your records to see when it was last vaccinated. Nonsutured wounds should be bandaged with bulky dressings. Place your cat's paw or paws into the bucket. Is it alright to soak a spider bite in warm salt water for soreness? He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Alleviates Pain, Reduces Swelling . A child may be crying and scared, even if the bite did not break the skin. You can take a full Epsom salt bath or simply soak your feet in a smaller container, and the salts will help reduce swelling and ease the pain. Have deep puncture wounds from the cat’s fangs, Have damaged tissue that needs to be removed, Recommend reconstructive surgery if you have severe damage or risk of scars. Combine 118 ml (1/2 cup) Epsom salts with 4.5 litres (1 gallon) warm or room-temperature water in a bucket. Yes. Check out our range of Epsom salt here, and buy bulk Epsom salt here. Epsom salt is an inorganic salt containing magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen that can be applied topically on wounds or taken internally. Epsom salts: When pet wounds and swellings inevitably rear their ugly heads, Epsom salts are almost always helpful for optimal home care.