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Human bites can be as dangerous as or even more dangerous than animal bites because of the types of bacteria and viruses contained in the human mouth. If someone cuts his or her knuckles on another person's teeth, as might happen in a fight, this is also considered a human bite.
If you sustain a human bite that breaks the skin:
- Stop the bleeding by applying pressure.
- Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
- Apply an antibiotic cream to prevent infection.
- Apply a clean bandage. If the bite is bleeding, apply pressure directly on the wound, using a sterile bandage or clean cloth, until the bleeding stops.
- Seek emergency medical care.
If you haven't had a tetanus shot within five years, your doctor may recommend a booster. In this case you should have the booster within 48 hours of the injury.
- Schwab RA, et al. Puncture wounds and mammalian bites. In: Tintinalli JE, et al. Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2004. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=589759&searchStr=animal+bites#589759. Accessed Oct. 12, 2009.
- Human and mammal bites. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec21/ch325/ch325c.html. Accessed Oct. 12, 2009.
- What to do in a medical emergency: Bites and stings. American College of Emergency Physicians Foundation. http://www.emergencycareforyou.org/EmergencyManual/WhatToDoInMedicalEmergency/Default.aspx?id=210#spider_bites_and_scorpion_stings. Accessed Oct. 8, 2009.
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