CLAIM:

A viral video suggests traditional remedies can treat rabid dog bites.

FACT:

Experts confirm only medical interventions can prevent rabies.

A video on social media says that local remedies can treat dog bites including bites by rabid dog

“Friends, whether you live in a village, a city, or a town, you must have heard about dogs biting people. Sometimes, even while you’re walking on the street, a dog may suddenly come from behind and bite you. There’s some madness in its heart, and it feels compelled to bite,” the voiceover explains in the video.

“Whenever a dog bites you, use these 5 tips, and the dog’s poison will not affect your body,” the narration suggests.

“First of all, when a dog bites you, go home immediately. If you are not near your home, if you’re near a shop or house, get Lifebuoy soap or any available soap. Apply it to the spot where the dog has bitten you and rub it four to five times,” the video advises.

“Rub the soap thoroughly, then rub it again and again. You must do these four to five times to ensure the wound is clean,” the voice in the video emphasizes.

“Next, where the dog’s tooth has pricked you and blood is coming out, press the area with your hand to extract as much blood as possible. Friends, the more blood you extract, the less chance the poison has to enter your body. It will come out instead,” the narration continues.

“After washing the wound with soap, grind some red chilli into a paste and apply it directly to the injured area. The chili will neutralize the poison and help heal the wound immediately,” the video instructs.

“Mix onion juice with honey and apply it to the wound. This will help the healing process after a mad dog bite,” the video notes.

“Grind asafoetida (hing) with water and apply it to the bite. This remedy removes the poison from a mad dog’s bite,” the narrator states.

“Take 125 grams of the root of wild chulaiyan, grind it, and give it to the patient with water. This remedy can save someone who has been bitten by a mad dog,” the video concludes.

Fact Check

In India, dog bites are a grave public health concern, with the country accounting for 36% of global rabies deaths annually, according to WHO estimates.  India also accounts for 65% of the deaths due to rabies in the South-East Asia region. Despite the widespread availability of life-saving treatments such as rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), many victims, especially in rural areas, continue to rely on traditional remedies, including applying red chili paste, lime, or turmeric to wounds. Such practices are not only ineffective but can also exacerbate injuries, delaying critical medical care and increasing the risk of rabies-a disease that is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear.

Doctors say PEP, which includes thorough wound washing, a series of rabies vaccinations, and in some cases rabies immunoglobulin (RIG), is the only proven method to prevent rabies. 

"It's essential to follow the standard vaccination regimen immediately after any animal exposure including dog bites," Dr Salim Khan, Head of Department Community Medicine Government Medical College Srinagar, told First Check.

Globally, dog-mediated rabies causes an estimated 59,000 human deaths annually. According to WHO,  India's National Rabies Control Program reported 6644 clinically suspected cases and deaths of human rabies between 2012 and 2022. 

A study says traditional remedies for rabies ranged from plant - or animal-based products to spiritual rituals; however, only a few controlled mice trials were conducted, and none of these trials demonstrated efficacy in preventing or treating rabies.

The study points out that there was no universal plant species or route of administration that was consistently used for rabies prevention or treatment across countries. “No traditional remedy was efficacious in the prevention or treatment of rabies in randomized controlled experiments,” it adds.

Another study says a person’s risk of infection with rabies virus must be addressed immediately if he is bitten by a dog. 

“The wound must be examined to see if there is a laceration or puncture, or if the area is crushed or avulsed. The wound should be washed with soap and water, detergent or povidone-iodine, or any other substance that kills the rabies virus,” the study states. “Administration of potent and effective rabies vaccines and rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) that meets World Health Organization (WHO) standards is required. Treatment with an appropriate antibiotic is important for 3–7 days to tackle potential bacterial infection, and tetanus immunization should be given where indicated.”

Dr Sameera Ranasinghe, Doctor in Community Medicine, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, told Firstcheck that there was no universal plant species or route of administration that was consistently used for rabies prevention or treatment across countries. 

“No traditional remedy was efficacious in the prevention or treatment of rabies in randomized controlled experiments,” Dr Ranasinghe said.

India’s National Rabies Control Programme guidelines prescribe thorough and extensive washing of the wound with water or soap. Eyes and mucosa, if exposed, should be thoroughly rinsed with water.

“The maximum benefit of wound washing is obtained when a fresh wound is cleaned immediately. It should be noted that immediate washing of wounds is a priority. However, the victim should not be deprived of the benefits of wound management as long as there is an unhealed wound which can be washed (in case the victim reported late),” says the guidelines. 

“The application of irritants (like chilies, oil, turmeric, lime, salt, etc.) is unnecessary and damaging. In case irritants have been applied on the wounds, gentle washing with soap or detergent should be done to remove the external applicant/s followed by flushing with copious amount of water immediately.” 

The guidelines advise application of available virucidal agents such as Povidone Iodine, alcohol, etc once the wound is thoroughly washed and dried. 

“A bleeding wound at any site indicates severe exposure and should be infiltrated with RIG. Severe bite wounds are best treated by daily dressing, followed by secondary suturing when necessary,” the guidelines say.

“Tetanus and antibiotic prophylaxis: Tetanus prophylaxis should be given as

per national guidelines. To prevent sepsis in the wound(s), a suitable course of an

antibiotic may be prescribed. The dog bite victim should be fully explained about the importance of timely completion of post-exposure prophylaxis,” the guidelines emphasize.

Also read: FACT CHECK: Can fasting for 3 days shield you from rabies after a dog bite? - First Check