A
female
age
30-35,
*adeybaby
writes:This is completely non-relationship related, but I needed some advice. I got bit on the tip of my nose by a dog a week ago. It bled, I put ice on it straight away and my boyfriend called an ambulance, I ended up going on antibiotics straight away and having to stay in hospital for a few days and having an operation/plastic surgery on my nose. I had a skin graft done, and stitches. My nose still looks very much a mess, red, bruised, sore, slightly dented, and all scabby. The doctors said it would take 3 months or more till it completely heals and that eventually the scar will fill out and look like my normal nose again. You wont even be able to see the scar they said, thing is im really scared-even with the doctors reassurance that it will look fine and back to normal eventually. I was wondering if anyone had had a similar experience to this? And can say whether it worked out or not? Reply to this Question
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female
reader, old-spinstah +, writes (29 November 2009):
I had plastic surgery on my nose and it took ages for the swelling to go down - over a year in fact. Fortunately for me, all my scars are internal (inside the nose) so I didn't have the same problems that you have.
Some scarring is normal but with good care they can fade considerably. A friend of mine used Vitamin E cream on her facial scar after an altercation with an angry cat. Once it had actually healed (scabs starting to come away) she started apply it 4 times day. You can barely see the scar today unless she points it out.
On my surgical wounds (which are on my stomach) I applied the contents of a vitamin E capsule twice a day once the scabs seemed ready to come off. I also took the vitamin E capsules by mouth as a dietary supplement (read the label first) These days I have to look very hard to find my scars.
The best product for scar reduction is Bio-oil available from chemists and some larger supermarkets. It's expensive and requires long term use but reports are good and it can be used to reduce scars long after the initial injury.
Making sure you have a really balanced diet with plenty of fruit and veg can help with the healing process as well as fighting off infection. If you have a really bad diet or are having difficulty eating (or enjoying food) since the operation, it may be worth taking some vitamin and mineral supplements. Do read the label before you take them though (as some can be toxic in overdosage or can interact with other medications you may be taking)
A
female
reader, DrPsych +, writes (29 November 2009):
 If the doctors say there will be no permanent scar, then go with that view for now. Even if they are wrong (unlikely), there are lots of treatments out there to repair facial scar tissue such as laser treatment. I was deeply bitten by an alsatian dog as a child on the leg and it took a while to clear up but it did eventually so try not to worry! The antibiotics were supplied because of all the bacteria in a dog's mouth so please finish the course. Don't pick the scar at all and try not to knock it - it may not look the best now but under that scar new skin tissue is forming.
As a side issue, I hope you have contacted the council, police and RSPCA about the dog bite. Dogs that bite hard enough to cause significant tissue damage need to be evaluated by the authorities under the dangerous dogs act. If the dog bites you, s/he could bite a small child so please contact the authorities. I would also say that as you have been quite seriously injured then you are probably entitled to compensation. I am quite sure money isn't your principle concern right now but if you were bitten on someone else's property or council land then their insurance may cover a claim. The reason I mention this is because if you need laser therapy or any further cosmetic treatment in the future then you may have to pay for it privately and such a legal claim may address these costs. I would certainly contact a personal injury solicitor for advice. I hope your nose feels better soon!
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A
female
reader, Emilysanswers +, writes (29 November 2009):
Doctors tend to know what will scar and what won't because they see the injury and know what needs further surgery and what doesn't.
It's going to loo a hell of a mess now because it's swollen. Faces don't react well to having men shoving knives around in them.
But trust me, in a week or so it will look LOADS better because the scabs will be on their way out, the bruising will go down and the swelling will go.
It will take a long time but you just have to keep faith it will all be ok. Even if there is a tiny scar there when it's all done, with tanning moisturisers and make up there is no way you won't be able to cover it.
Give it time and be nice to it. (Don't PICK!!!) and you'll be ok.
Good Luck!! xx
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