Does applying lemon juice, garlic, and salt after being bitten by a cat help prevent rabies?

Many people who have been bitten by cats still choose to use 'home remedies' such as lemon juice and garlic in the hope of quickly disinfecting the wound. However, according to doctors, these seemingly harmless methods can cause people to miss the 'golden time' to prevent rabies.

Master - Doctor Mai Ho Duy, Head of the Emergency Department of Xuyen A General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by the Rhabdovirus. The rabies virus is present in the saliva of animals (dogs, cats, rats, etc.) infected with the disease. Rabies is transmitted from infected animals to humans mainly through bites, scratches, or when the saliva of rabid animals gets into open wounds, mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, mouth. In the mouth of cats, there are many bacteria such as Pasteurella multocida, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, etc. When bitten by a cat, bacteria invade, causing swelling, redness, pain, pus, and even blood infection if not treated properly.

"Lemon juice, garlic or salt do not have a safe antibacterial effect when bitten by a cat, but on the contrary, can cause more harm to the wound," Dr. Duy emphasized.

Lemonade

Lemon juice is mildly acidic and does not kill bacteria or viruses. On the contrary, it can cause burning, damage tissue, and make it easier for bacteria and viruses to invade.

Lemon juice is mildly acidic and cannot kill bacteria or viruses. On the contrary, it can cause burning, damage tissue, and make it easier for bacteria and viruses to penetrate.

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Simply applying lemon juice to a cat bite does not prevent rabies, but makes it easier for the virus to enter. The risk of rabies is higher if the cat is of unknown origin or has not been vaccinated against rabies or if the cat has unusual behavior (aggressive, refusing to eat, drooling, etc.). Even if the wound is small when bitten by a cat, there is still a risk of rabies if the cat has not been vaccinated and you do not get vaccinated against rabies afterward.

Garlic

Garlic contains allicin, a substance that has the ability to inhibit bacteria when applied to healthy skin. However, with open wounds, garlic causes skin burns, irritation and severe inflammation. Therefore, garlic should not be applied to bites.

Salt

Diluted saline (0.9%) can be used to clean minor wounds, but concentrated saline or salt granules can sting and damage tissue. Only use normal saline (available at the pharmacy) to clean wounds.

How to properly handle a cat bite

According to Dr. Duy, in order not to miss the golden time for treatment when bitten by a cat, we should handle it correctly:

• Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and clean water for at least 15 minutes.
• Disinfect with Povidone-iodine (Betadine) or 70° alcohol.
• Go to a medical facility immediately for: Rabies risk assessment; Rabies vaccine and possibly rabies immunoglobulin if the bite is severe or in a dangerous location; Health care workers may consider antibiotics if there are signs of infection.
• Monitor the cat for 10-14 days if possible.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/boi-nuoc-chanh-toi-muoi-sau-khi-bi-meo-can-co-giup-ngua-dai-185251113184500242.htm