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Human bites - Treatment

Alternative Names

Bites - human

First Aid:

  1. Calm and reassure the person. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap. If time allows, and you have some, put on a pair of protective gloves.
  2. If the area is NOT bleeding severely, wash the wound with mild soap and running water for 3 to 5 minutes and then cover the bite with a clean dressing. Remove the gloves, and wash your own hands again.
  3. If the area is actively bleeding, apply direct pressure with a clean, dry cloth until the bleeding is controlled. Raise the area.
  4. Get medical attention.

Do Not:

  • Do NOT ignore any human bite, especially if it is bleeding.
  • Do NOT put the wound into your mouth.

Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if:

All human bites that break the skin should be promptly evaluated by a doctor. Bites may be especially serious when:

  • There is swelling, redness, pus draining from the wound, or pain
  • The bite occurred near the eyes or involved the face, hands, wrists, or feet
  • The person who was bitten has a weakened immune system (for example, from HIV or receiving chemotherapy for cancer) -- the person is at a higher risk for the wound to become infected
  • Reviewed last on: 1/13/2010
  • Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Brook I. Management of human and animal bite wounds: an overview. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2005;18:197-203.

Weber EJ. Mammalian bites. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2009:chap. 58.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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