Human bites are one of the most underrated types of wounds because many people mistakenly think that these wounds are not as dangerous as animal bites. In fact, human bite wounds should receive serious attention because of the presence of bacteria and viruses in the human mouth. A good evaluation, provision of first aid, and consultation with a doctor can help you treat a human bite wound without experiencing serious side effects such as infection.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Providing First Aid
Step 1. Ask for the medical history of the person who bit you
If possible, ask for a medical history of the person who bit you. You need to make sure they have been vaccinated and do not have a serious health condition such as hepatitis. This can help determine whether you need to see a doctor and the appropriate treatment options.
- If you can't get a medical history of the person who bit you, just give first aid and then see a doctor.
- The two most dangerous diseases are hepatitis B and tetanus. Although not caused by all bite wounds, hepatitis and tetanus can occur, especially in infected wounds.
- Human bite wounds rarely transmit HIV or hepatitis B. However, this is still possible. If the person biting you is unknown, get tested for HIV for the peace of the bitten person.
Step 2. Evaluate the wound
As soon as you experience it, you should check the location of the bite mark. Evaluate the severity of the wound and try to determine the best course of treatment.
- Remember that all human bite wounds are serious.
- Human bite wounds range from cuts into the flesh from fights or other situations, to scratches to the teeth on the fingers or knuckles.
- If a human bite wound penetrates the skin layer, you should see a doctor and get medical treatment in addition to first aid.
Step 3. Stop the bleeding
If the wound is bleeding, use a clean, dry cloth or bandage to apply pressure. Don't give first aid until you can control the bleeding so you don't lose too much blood.
- You may lie on a carpet or bed if the bleeding is heavy enough to prevent heat loss and shock.
- If blood is seeping through the cloth or bandage, do not remove the old coating and replace it with a new one. Simply put a new layer of bandage over it until the wound stops bleeding.
- If there is an object in the wound, such as a broken tooth, do not apply too much pressure or try to remove the object.
Step 4. Clean the wound
After the bleeding has stopped, wash the wound with soap and water. This will help get rid of the bacteria and minimize the risk of infection.
- You don't need to buy a special soap, any soap can help get rid of bacteria.
- Be sure to wash and dry the wound thoroughly even if it hurts. Wash the wound until the soap residue is completely clean or until dirt such as dust has been removed.
- You can also use a povidone-iodine solution, which is an antibacterial cleaning agent, instead of soap and water. You can apply this solution directly to the wound or use a bandage.
- Do not try to remove trapped debris such as tooth fragments, as this can spread infection.
Step 5. Apply antibiotic ointment to the wound
Applying an antibiotic cream or ointment can help prevent infection. It can also help reduce swelling and pain, and speed healing.
- You can use antibiotic ointments such as neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin to prevent infection.
- This ointment is available at most pharmacies and online drug stores.
Step 6. Protect the wound with a clean bandage
Apply a new, clean or sterile, dry bandage after the wound is no longer bleeding and has been disinfected. A layer of bandage can protect the wound from exposure to bacteria while helping to prevent infection.
Step 7. Watch for signs of infection
If the bite wound is not too big and/or you decide not to see a doctor, watch out for signs of infection. This step is useful to help prevent serious conditions such as sepsis.
- Signs of infection include redness of the wound, feeling hot to the touch and very painful.
- Other symptoms of infection are fever and chills.
- If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a professional medical practitioner to prevent it from developing into a severe infection or other serious medical condition.
Part 2 of 2: Seeking Medical Help
Step 1. Visit a doctor
If the bite wound breaks the skin or doesn't heal after first aid, see a doctor as soon as possible. You may need more thorough treatment than home treatments to minimize the risk of infection or nerve damage.
- Visiting a doctor is very important if a human bite wound tore the skin layer because this condition is very easy to become infected. You should seek medical attention to treat a skin tear within 24 hours.
- If the wound does not stop bleeding or causes vital tissue to be removed, visit the emergency department immediately.
- Consult a doctor if there is anything that concerns you, even if it is a small bite wound or just a scratch on a human tooth.
- Tell the doctor about the incident that left you injured. This information can help a doctor treat a wound or seek help if it involves violence.
- The doctor will measure the wound and pay attention to its appearance, including its location, or whether there is nerve or tendon damage.
- Depending on the severity of the wound, your doctor may order you to have a blood test or an X-ray.
Step 2. Let the doctor remove the foreign body from the wound
If there is a foreign object in the wound, such as a human tooth, the doctor will remove it. This can help minimize the risk of infection and relieve the pain you are experiencing.
Step 3. Have the plastic surgeon stitch up the wound on the face
If you have a large scar on your face, your doctor may ask a surgeon to stitch it up so that it heals properly and has minimal scarring.
Wound stitches are often itchy. If you have this, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to relieve itching and help prevent infection
Step 4. Use antibiotics to fight the infection
Your doctor may prescribe one of several types of antibiotic options to treat human bite wounds. These antibiotics can minimize your risk of developing an infection.
- Your doctor may prescribe one of the following antibiotics to fight infection: cephalosporins, penicillins, clindamycin, erythromycin, or aminoglycosides.
- Antibiotic treatment usually lasts 3 to 5 days. If infection occurs, the period of treatment with antibiotics may need to be extended to 6 weeks.
Step 5. Get a tetanus shot
If you haven't had a tetanus shot in the past 5 years, your doctor may prescribe a booster dose. This vaccination can help prevent the infection that causes tetanus.
- Be sure to tell your doctor the date of your last tetanus vaccination, or if you haven't been vaccinated at all. Tetanus is an infection that can be fatal.
- If you know the medical history of the person who bit you, a tetanus vaccination may not be necessary.
Step 6. Check for disease transmission
If the medical history of the person who bit you is unknown, the doctor may check the transmission of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis B on a regular basis at regular intervals. This step can not only detect a possible infection, but also calm your heart.
Transmission of diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B, or herpes from human bite wounds is very unlikely
Step 7. Use pain medication
It's normal to feel pain for a few days after being bitten. Use over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers to relieve pain and swelling.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. Ibuprofen can also help reduce swelling caused by surgery.
- Your doctor may prescribe pain relievers if over-the-counter medications aren't working for you.
Step 8. Repair the scar with plastic surgery
If the bite wound is very severe and results in loss of body tissue, your doctor may recommend plastic surgery. This procedure can restore the skin to its original state with only minimal scarring.
