Human Bite

What is a human bite?

A human bite is any wound that you get from coming into contact with a person's teeth. The wound may be deep and cause injury to bones, muscles, and other body parts. It may also lead to tissue loss. Human bites are often more serious than animal bites. Wounds are more likely to become infected because of the germs present in a person's mouth. Closed-fist wounds in the knuckle area, also called fight bites, are the most common form of human bites. With treatment and care, a human bite may be cured and serious problems may be prevented.

What causes a human bite?

A human bite may be caused by a person, commonly children, biting another person. The bite may or may not be on purpose, and usually occurs during fights. It may also be seen in cases of child or sexual abuse. Sometimes, a fist is cut after punching a person in the mouth and striking a tooth. Accidental human bites may happen during sports or sexual activity. Wounds from one's own teeth may come from a fall or seizure.

What are the signs and symptoms of a human bite?

The most common sign of a human bite is having teeth marks. There may be a cut, bruise, or swelling on the bitten area. You may have bleeding, pain, or trouble moving the bitten area. Sometimes, your skin may also get deformed when the tissues are completely bitten off. If the bite breaks your skin, it may become infected and have pus in it. The area around the pus may be red, tender, or feel warm when touched. You may also develop a fever.

How is a human bite diagnosed?

Your caregiver may check your health history, including other illnesses, medicines you are taking, and past surgeries. Knowing what vaccinations (shots) you have received, such as tetanus and hepatitis B, is also important. He will also need to know when and how you were bitten. You may have any of the following:

Blood tests:

You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.

Physical exam:

Caregivers will closely look at the injury, including the area around it. He will check to see if the skin is broken or not and how deep the wound is. He will also look for other problems or signs of infection. How well you move and feel things in your injured body part may be tested. These are usually needed if the bite wound is deep.

Wound culture:

This is a method to grow and identify the germs that may be in your wound. This helps caregivers learn what kind of infection you have and what medicine is best to treat it.

X-ray:

This is a picture of your bones and tissues in the bite wound area. You may need to have an x-ray, especially if the wound is near a joint or bone. Caregivers use the pictures to look for broken bones, injury, or foreign objects.

How is a human bite treated?

Treatment will depend on how severe the wound is, it's location, and whether other areas are affected. It may also depend on the length of time you have had the injury. You may need any of the following:

Cleansing:

The wound will be cleaned with soap and water. This helps wash away germs which got into the wound, and decrease the chances of infection. Flushing with sterile (clean) water further cleans the wound. This is done under high pressure, using a needle or catheter (tube) tip and large syringe. A solution that kills germs may also be used. Objects, dirt, or dead tissues from the open wound may be removed in surgery. Caregivers may drain the wound to clean out pus.

Medicines:

Your caregiver may give you antibiotic medicine to fight infection. You may also be given medicine to ease your symptoms, such as pain, swelling, and fever. Tetanus shots, anti-virals, and immune globulins may be also be given. Ask your caregiver for more information about these medicines.

Other procedures:

Your wound may be left open until it heals or closed using stitches (thread). You may need surgery to repair a fracture (broken bone) or damaged joint, tendon, or nerve. Surgery to rebuild the body part with the bite wound may be also be done.

What first aid should be done for a human bite?

You may do the following when you have a human bite:

Flush the bitten area with water. Clean it with mild soap and water to prevent infection.

Apply direct pressure on the wound using a clean cloth to stop any bleeding.

Keep the injured area from moving to decrease pain. This may be done by placing a splint and bandage.

Sit or lie so the area of the bite is raised above your heart. You may put pillows under an injured leg when lying in bed. A sling may be used if the arm or hand is injured. Elevating the wound area will help decrease swelling. Do not raise it too high because it may cause more serious injury.