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When should you get medical care after a bite wound?
A bite injury may need to be closed by a health professional, may require antibiotic medicines, or both. The decision to close a wound with stitches, staples, skin adhesive, or fabric strips depends on:
- The type of biting animal.
- The size and location of the bite.
- The time that has passed since the bite occurred.
- The general health of the person bitten.
Most wounds that require treatment should be closed with stitches, staples, fabric strips, or skin adhesives (also called liquid stitches) within 12 hours after the injury. Your risk of infection increases the longer the wound remains untreated.
Call your doctor if you have questions about how to take care of the wound.
How can you care for a wound from a human bite?
- If your doctor told you how to care for your wound, follow your doctor's instructions. If you did not get instructions, follow this general advice:
- Wash the wound with clean water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
- You may cover the wound with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage.
- Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
- Your wound may itch or feel irritated. A little redness and swelling are normal. Do not scratch or rub the wound.
- If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
- Ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter pain medicine.
Human bites in children: When to call
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- The skin near the bite turns cold or pale or it changes color.
- Your child loses feeling in the area near the bite, or it feels numb or tingly.
- Your child has trouble moving a limb near the bite.
- Your child has signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness near the wound.
- Red streaks leading from the wound.
- Pus draining from the wound.
- A fever.
- Blood soaks through the bandage. Oozing small amounts of blood is normal.
- Your child's pain is getting worse.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if your child is not getting better as expected.
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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.