Dog bites do more than cut tear skin. They may destroy layers of fat and tissue. They may even crush bone. Because the damage is irregular, even minor dog bites can cause serious scarring. Once a scar forms, it is permanent.
Scars affect more than appearance. They can impact the way the skin moves and the way it functions. In some cases, scar damage to the skin also affects the movement of the muscles and tendons below the injury.
There are two major types of scars that result from Iowa dog bites:
- Keloid scars: Keloid scars are produced when the skin makes too much collagen in response to an injury. The extra collagen produces skin growth on the injury site.
- Hypertrophic scars: A hypertrophic scar can be recognized as a flat, thick, raised texture at the site of the injury.
Dog bites may also affect the underlying fat, bone, and muscle. This can cause a change in the shape of the face.
Reconstructive plastic surgeons use a variety of treatments to minimize or disguise scars. Some options for Iowa dog bite scar treatment include:
- Skin flaps. Scar tissue is surgically removed from the dog bite injury. The area is then covered with skin flap made of healthy, unscarred skin.
- Skin grafts. Scar tissue is surgically removed. The tissue is replaced with healthy tissue from another part of the patient’s body.
- Fat grafting. Fat grafting is used to fill in indentations in the tissue underlying a dog bite scar.
- Z-plasty. The dog bite scar is surgically moved to a less conspicuous area of the body.
- Dermabrasion, laser treatment, and chemical peels. The upper layers of the skin are removed to lighten a scar or make a scar less prominent.
- Steroid injections. Steroid injections may help reduce the size of both keloid and hypertrophic scars.
Scar removal can be expensive, but as an Iowa dog bite victim, you should not have to pay this expense. Our Cedar Rapids dog bite lawyers fight to hold dog owners responsible for the injuries caused by their dog. To schedule a free consultation, contact Hupy and Abraham Cedar Rapids dog bite attorneys at 800-800-5678. Just for calling, we will send you a FREE copy of our new dog bites brochure, without obligation.
