Bites not only cause immediate tissue damage but also carry the risk of infection and rabies. Human bites are the bites most likely to become infected, followed by cat bites and then dog bites. Cat bites may look very minor, but infected material is often injected deeply into the tissues.
Treatment
The most important treatment of any bite is vigorous cleaning of the wound as soon as possible. This is best done by holding the affected area under running water for at least 5 to 10 minutes. Contact your doctor for further treatment such as tetanus shots, rabies prevention, antibiotics, and/or suturing if needed. This will depend on the size and location of the bite and the likelihood of infection. For crush injuries, splinting and elevation of the affected extremity is recommended.
When to Seek Medical Attention
It is especially important to seek medical care for bites involving the face and puncture wounds of the hands and feet. If your child has been bitten by a wild animal or a domestic animal that you don’t know, rabies prophylaxis may be needed
INFECTION
Signs that the bite wound is infected include the following:
- Increasing redness
- Increasing swelling
- Increasing pain
- Pus discharging from the wound
- Red streaks extending from the bite site toward the heart
- Fever