Children's Hospital of Wisconsin logo   spacing image
About Children's Hospital and Health Systemspacing image
Quick Links for:
spacing imageHealth Care Professionalsspacing image
    Search:
                          
Horizontal stripes
spacing imageHomeHealth InformationFind a DoctorMaps & DirectionsGiving & VolunteeringNews & CalendarResearchCommunity ProgramsGift ShopCareersspacing image

  Choose a Condition or Topic
 
 
Side navigation, highlighted area, top left Side navigation, highlighted area, top center Side navigation, highlighted area, top right
  Disorders, Diseases and Organ Topics
 
Side navigation, highlighted area, bottom left Side navigation, highlighted area, bottom center Side navigation, highlighted area, bottom right
 
  Programs & Clinics
 
  Request an appointment
 
  Patient Handouts/ Teaching Sheets
 
  Treating Common Childhood Ailments
 
  Health & Safety Tips
 
  Online Library
 
  CaringBridge Patient Web Sites
 
spacing image
spacing image spacing image E-mail this page E-mail this page     Print this page Print this page
spacing image spacing image

Human Bites

Human bites can easily become infected due to the number of bacteria in the human mouth. In fact, human bite wounds are more likely to become infected than dog or cat bites. A physician should check any human bite that breaks the skin.

Treatment for human bites:
Remain calm and reassure your child that you can help. Specific treatment for a human bite will be determined by your child's physician. Treatment may include:
  • If the bite is bleeding, apply pressure to it with a clean bandage or towel to stop the bleeding.
  • Wash the wound with soap and water under pressure from a faucet for at least five minutes, but do not scrub, as this may bruise the tissue.
  • Dry the wound and cover it with a sterile dressing. Do not use tape or butterfly bandages to close the wound, as this could trap harmful bacteria in the wound.
  • Many times, human bites are treated with antibiotics to prevent infection. Call your child's physician to find out if additional treatment or a tetanus booster is needed.

Click here to view the Online Resources page of this Web.

Return to the Dermatology Home Page
Return to the Disorders, Diseases and Organ Topics Home Page

spacing image Arrow Back to top
spacing image page footer spacing image
spacing image
spacing image