Human Bite

Human bite wounds can get infected very quickly. It is important to get medical treatment.

Follow these instructions at home:

Wound care

• Follow instructions from your doctor about how to take care of your wound. Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If you cannot use soap and water, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your bandage as told by your doctor.
  • Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or skin tape (adhesive) strips in place. They may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If tape strips get loose and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove tape strips completely unless your doctor says it is okay.
• Check your wound every day for signs of infection. Watch for:
  • Redness, swelling, or pain that gets worse.
  • Fluid, blood, or pus.

General instructions

• Take or apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• If you were given an antibiotic, take or apply it as told by your doctor. Do not stop using the antibiotic even if your condition improves.
• Keep the injured area raised (elevated) above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.
• If directed, apply ice to the injured area:
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times per day.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• You have chills.
• You have pain when you move your injured area.
• You have trouble moving your injured area.
• You are not getting better, or you are getting worse.

Get help right away if:

• You have increasing fluid, blood, or pus coming from your wound.
• You have increasing redness, swelling, or pain at the site of your wound.
• You have a red streak going away from your wound.
• You have a fever.