Topic Overview
Animal and human bites may cause puncture
wounds, cuts, scrapes, or crushing injuries. Most animal and human bites cause
minor injuries, and home treatment is usually all that is needed to care for
the wound.
Animal bites
Most animal bites occur in school-age
children. The face, hands, arms, and legs are the most common sites for animal
bites. Since most bites occur in children, be sure to teach children to
be careful around animals and that an animal could hurt them. Young children
should always be supervised around animals.
Dog bites occur more than any other animal bite and are most
frequent in the summer months. The dog is usually known to the person, and most
injuries result from the dog being teased or bothered while eating or sleeping.
Boys are bitten about twice as often as girls. The arms, head, and neck are the
most likely areas to be bitten in children.
Cat bites usually cause deeper puncture wounds than dog bites
and have a high risk of bacterial infection because they can be hard to
clean adequately.
Exotic pet bites, such as from rats,
mice, or gerbils, may carry illnesses, but
rabies is not usually a concern. The bites from some
pets, such as iguanas, are at risk for infection but do not carry other serious
risks.
Livestock, such as horses, cows, and
sheep, have powerful jaws and can cause crushing bite injuries. Infection,
tetanus, and rabies are possible risks.
Wild animal bites may occur while hunting,
camping, or hiking. Infection, tetanus, and rabies are possible risks.
Human bites
Adult bites that cause a wound to the
hand can be serious. A clenched fist striking another person in the mouth and
teeth can cut or puncture the skin over the knuckles. This is commonly called a
"fight bite." Underlying tissues may be damaged, and an infection can
develop.
Bites from children are:
- Usually not very deep.
- Not as
forceful as adult bites.
- Not too likely to become
infected.
- Not damaging to underlying tissue.
What to do if you get a bite?
When you have a bite:
-
Stop the bleeding
by applying direct pressure.
- Determine if other tissues, such as
blood vessels, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, bones, or internal organs,
have been injured.
- Determine if treatment by a
doctor is needed.
- Clean the wound to prevent bacterial infections,
tetanus ("lockjaw"), and viral infections, such as
herpes simplex virus and
cytomegalovirus (CMV).
- Determine the risk
for
rabies and the need for treatment to prevent the
disease.
- Determine if you need a
tetanus shot.
Check your symptoms to decide if and when you
should see a doctor.
Check Your Symptoms
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Home Treatment
Minor animal and human bites
usually can be treated at home. If you do not have an increased chance of
getting an infection, do not have other injuries, and do not need treatment by
a doctor or a tetanus shot, you can clean and bandage a bite at home.
Treat bleeding
Stop the bleeding
with direct pressure to the wound.
After you have stopped the bleeding, check your
symptoms to determine if and when you need to see your
doctor.
Clean the wound
Clean the animal or human bite as
soon as possible to reduce the chance of infection and scarring.
- Wash the wound for 5 minutes with large amounts
of cool water and soap (mild dishwashing soap, such as Ivory, works well). Some nonprescription products are available for wound
cleaning that numb the area so cleaning doesn't hurt as much. Be sure to read
the product label for correct use.
- Don't use rubbing alcohol,
hydrogen peroxide, iodine, or Mercurochrome, which can harm the tissue and slow
healing.
Some bites cause only bruising (contusions) at the bite site
but do not break the skin. These bites usually do not become infected.
Stitches, staples, or skin adhesives (also called liquid skin)
Determine whether your bite needs to be treated by a doctor.
Bites may need to be closed with sutures, staples, or skin adhesives so that
they won't leave a large scar. Bites to the hand are not usually closed because
closing the bite wound may increase your chance of having an infection. Cat
bites are rarely closed because they are usually no larger than a puncture.
Your doctor
will tell you how to
take care of your stitches or staples and when to
return to have them removed.
Skin adhesives usually do not need to be removed, but your doctor may wish to
see you to check on the wound. Be sure to carefully follow your doctor's
instructions. If you are unsure of how to care for your wound or have
questions, call your doctor for instructions.
Consider applying a bandage
Most bites heal well and
may not need a bandage. You may need to protect the bite from dirt and
irritation. Be sure to clean the bite thoroughly before bandaging it to
reduce the risk of infection occurring under the bandage.
- Select the bandage carefully. There are many
products available. Do not use liquid skin bandages and moisture-enhancing
bandages unless your doctor tells you to. These types of dressings may seal in
bacteria that could cause an infection.
- If you use a cloth-like
bandage, apply a clean bandage when your bandage gets wet or soiled. If a
bandage is stuck to a scab, soak it in warm water to soften the scab and make
the bandage easier to remove. If available, use a nonstick dressing. There are
many bandage products available. Be sure to read the product label for correct
use.
- Watch for
signs of infection. If an infection develops under a
bandage, a visit to your doctor may be needed.
- An antibiotic
ointment, such as polymyxin B sulfate (for example, Polysporin) or bacitracin,
will keep the bandage from sticking to the wound. Apply the ointment lightly to
the wound. Antibiotic ointments have not been shown to improve healing. Be sure
to read the product label about skin sensitivity. If a skin rash or itching
under the bandage develops, stop using the ointment. The rash may be caused by
an
allergic reaction to the ointment.
- Use an
adhesive strip to hold the edges of a wound together. Always put an adhesive
strip across a wound to hold the edges together, not lengthwise. You can
make a butterfly bandage at home or purchase one to help hold the skin edges
together.
Tetanus
- Determine whether you need a
tetanus shot.
- You may have a localized
reaction to a tetanus shot. Symptoms include warmth, swelling, and redness at
the injection site. A fever of up to
100°F (37.8°C) may occur. Home
treatment can help reduce the discomfort.
Pain relief
An
ice or cold pack may help reduce swelling and bruising. Never apply ice
directly to a wound or the skin. This could cause tissue damage.
Elevate the injured area on pillows while applying ice and anytime you
are sitting or lying down. Try to keep the area at or above the level of your
heart to reduce swelling.
Medicine you can buy without a prescription
| Try a nonprescription
medicine to help treat your fever or pain: |
|
Talk to your child's doctor before switching back and
forth between doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. When you switch between two
medicines, there is a chance your child will get too much medicine.
|
Safety tips
| Be sure to follow
these safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine: |
- Carefully read and follow all
directions on the medicine bottle and box.
- Do not take more than
the recommended dose.
- Do not take a medicine if you have had an
allergic reaction to it in the past.
- If
you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take
it.
- If you are or could be pregnant, do not take any medicine other
than acetaminophen unless your doctor has told you to.
-
Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20
unless your doctor tells you to.
|
After the bite
Many states require that animal
control authorities be notified of animal bites. Even if your state law does
not require you to report animal bites, you may wish to call animal control to
report the bite. They can help you determine whether the animal that bit
you:
- Has been properly vaccinated.
- Needs
to be observed for signs of illness. A healthy pet that has bitten someone
should be confined and observed for 10 days to see whether it develops symptoms
of rabies.
- Is a rabies carrier in your area and whether you need to
be vaccinated to prevent
rabies.
- Is a danger to others.
If you are unable to find a phone number for animal control
in the front pages of the telephone book, contact the police or sheriff's
office for the number.
Symptoms to watch for during home treatment
Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:
-
Signs of infection
develop.
- Signs of loss of function develop.
- Pain gets worse.
- The wound does not
heal.
- Symptoms become more severe or more frequent.
Prevention
The following tips may help prevent bite
injuries.
Animals
-
Do not disturb animals, even your family pets,
while they are eating, sleeping, or nursing. Animal mothers can be very
aggressive when protecting their young.
- Never leave a young child
or baby alone with a pet.
- Do not approach or play with unfamiliar
or stray pets.
- Teach children to ask permission from a pet's owner
before petting the animal. Do not pet an animal without first letting it sniff
you.
- Don't run past a dog, because dogs naturally love to chase and
catch things.
- Many animals give a warning sign before they attack.
If you have animals in your home, know their warning signs and teach them to
your children.
- Do not try to separate fighting animals. If
available, water sprayed from a hose will often break up the
fight.
- If you see a threatening dog:
- Stay still. Do not run.
- Do not
make direct eye contact with the dog or stare at the dog. Staring at a dog may
be interpreted by the dog as a threat and aggression.
- Don't scream.
If you say anything, speak calmly and firmly.
- If you fall or are
knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your head and
neck. Protect your face.
- Notify animal control and, if possible,
speak with the dog's owners.
- Tell children to report an animal bite to an
adult immediately.
- Do not keep wild animals as pets.
- Do
not touch or tease wild animals.
- Do not handle sick or injured
animals or animals that are acting strangely.
- Get help from animal
control personnel if you need to rescue a trapped or injured animal. If no help
is available, wear the heaviest gloves and clothing you have. Do not move
quickly when approaching the animal, and talk in a low, gentle voice to
reassure the animal.
Choose and care for your pets wisely
- Do not buy a pet on impulse. Do some research
and learn about how different types of pets act and what their needs are. Ask a
veterinarian or your local humane society for more
information.
- Keep your animals healthy. Regular examinations and
vaccinations are important for their health and for yours.
Vaccinate pets against rabies and other
diseases.
- Promote attitudes of animal love and respect. Do not
tolerate any form of animal abuse or cruelty.
- Obedience-train your
dogs. If you have children, involve them in the training so they can handle and
learn respect for their companion animals. Keep pets on a leash in public
areas.
- Do not allow your pets to roam free. Fence your yard, and
keep your pets on a leash in public areas.
- Contact your local
humane society or shelter about workshops for your school or service group that
teach about animal care.
Human bites
- Prevent human bites by controlling behavior
that may lead to fights or abuse. For more information, see the topic
Anger, Hostility, and Violent Behavior.
- Teach your child not to bite. Biting most commonly occurs when
many children are together, such as in child care centers. Most of the time,
biting can be reduced by proper supervision and by helping children express
their feelings in more appropriate ways. For more information, see the topic
Biting.
Preparing For Your Appointment
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
Questions to prepare for your appointment
You can help your
doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the
following questions:
- When did the bite occur?
- Where were
you when the bite occurred?
- How did the bite occur? Describe what
happened.
- Were you bitten by a domestic pet or a wild animal?
- Do you know the animal, or was it a
stray?
- Was the animal acting strangely?
- Is the animal
safely secured?
- Have you notified your local animal control
department?
- Was the bite provoked?
- What are your
main symptoms?
- What home treatment measures have you tried? Did
they help? Be sure to include any nonprescription medicines you have taken or
used. Did they help?
- When was your last
tetanus shot?
- Do you have any
health risks?
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
|
Last Revised
|
June 6, 2012 |