How to Treat a Human Bite

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Human bites are some of the most underestimated wounds because many people falsely think that they cannot be as dangerous as animal bites. [1] However, you must take human bites very seriously because of the types of bacteria and viruses present in the human mouth. [2] By properly evaluating your wound from a human bite, administering first aid, and consulting your doctor, you can treat a human bite wound without experiencing any serious side effects such as infection.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Administering First Aid

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  1. If it’s possible, ask the person who bit you for their medical history. You want to make sure they have current vaccinations and do not have other serious medical conditions such as hepatitis. This can help your figure out if you should see a doctor and what type of treatment is the best for you.
    • If you can’t get the medical history of the person who bit you, administer first aid and then see your doctor.
    • The two diseases of highest concern are hepatitis B and tetanus. Though they don’t occur with every bite, hepatitis and tetanus can develop, especially with infected bites. [3]
    • Transmission of HIV or hepatitis B during a bite incident is not likely but it can happen. [4] If the biter is unknown, testing for HIV can provide peace of mind for the person who was bitten.
  2. As soon as you experience a human bite wound, inspect the site of the bite mark. Evaluate the severity of the wound and try to determine the best course of treatment. [5]
    • Remember that all human bites are serious. [6]
    • Human bites can range from everything from deep flesh bites from a fight or other situation, to something like a tooth scraping on your fingers or knuckles. [7]
    • If a human bite breaks your skin, you’ll need to see a doctor and get medical care in addition to administering first aid. [8]
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  3. If your wound is bleeding, apply pressure with a clean and dry cloth or bandage. Don’t administer any other first aid until you get control of any bleeding so that you don’t lose too much blood. [9]
    • You can lie down on a rug or bed if the bleeding is severe to help prevent you from losing body heat and going into shock. [10]
    • If you bleed through a bandage or cloth, don’t remove it to apply another. Simply place the new bandage on top of the wound until it stops bleeding. [11]
    • If there is anything in the wound, such as tooth fragments, don’t apply too much pressure or attempt to remove the object. [12]
  4. Once you’ve got any bleeding stopped, wash the wound with soap and water. This can help remove any bacteria and may minimize the risk for infection. [13]
    • You don’t need to purchase any special soap; any soap will help to remove bacteria. [14]
    • Make sure to wash and dry the wound thoroughly, even if it is painful. [15] Wash the wound until there is no visible soap or until any debris such as dirt is washed away. [16]
    • You may also use povidone iodine as an antibacterial treatment instead of soap and water. [17] You can apply the iodine either directly to the wound or with a bandage. [18]
    • Do not remove any embedded debris such as tooth particles because this could spread infection. [19]
  5. Applying an antibiotic ointment or cream can help prevent infection. It may also help to reduce swelling and pain and enhance the healing. [20]
    • You can use anti-biotic ointments such as neomycin, polymyxin B, bacitracin to prevent infection. [21]
    • These are available at most drug and grocery stores and their online retail sites.
  6. Apply a new bandage that is clean or sterile and dry once the wound is not bleeding and disinfected. This may limit exposure to bacteria and help prevent infection. [22]
  7. If your bite is not very large and/or you decide to not seek medical treatment, it’s important to watch the wound for signs of infection. This can help prevent serious medical problems including sepsis. [23]
    • If your wound is red, hot to the touch, and very painful this is a sign of infection. [24]
    • Other symptoms of infection are fever and chills. [25]
    • If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult a medical professional so that you don’t develop a severe infection or other serious medical condition. [26]
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Part 2
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Getting Medical Treatment

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  1. If the bite broke the skin or doesn’t heal with first aid, see your doctor as soon as possible. You may require more in-depth treatment than what you can do at home, which can minimize your risk for infection or nerve damage. [27]
    • It’s important to see your doctor if a human bite breaks your skin, as it can very easily become infected. [28] You should seek treatment for a broken skin wound within 24 hours. [29]
    • If your wound doesn’t stop bleeding or the bite has removed significant tissue, seek help at an emergency room. [30]
    • If you have any concerns even about the smallest bite or scrape from a human mouth, talk to your doctor. [31]
    • Tell your doctor how you got the bite. This might help him with your treatment or getting help if it involved violence. [32]
    • Your doctor will measure the wound and take notes on presentation including location or if you appear to have nerve or tendon damage. [33]
    • Depending on the severity of the bite, your doctor may order blood tests or X-rays. [34]
  2. If there are any foreign objects in your bite wound, such as teeth, your doctor will remove them. This can help minimize your risk of infection and may relieve any pain you have. [35]
  3. If you have a significant bite mark on your face, your doctor should enlist the help of a plastic surgeon to stitch the wound so it will heal properly, with minimal scarring.
    • It’s not uncommon for stitches to itch. If this is the case, you can use a light layer of antibiotic ointment to relieve itching and help prevent infection. [36]
  4. Your doctor may prescribe one of several different antibiotics for a human bite wound. These can minimize your risk of developing an infection.
    • Your doctor may prescribe one of the following antibiotics to combat infection: cephalosporin, penicillin, clindamycin, erythromycin, or aminoglycosides. [37]
    • Antibiotic treatment usually lasts between three to five days. [38] If there is an infection, it may be necessary to follow up with a longer course of treatment, up to six weeks. [39]
  5. If you haven’t had a tetanus shot within five years, your doctor may prescribe a booster shot. This can help prevent the infection that causes tetanus, or lockjaw. [40]
    • Make sure to tell your doctor the date of your last tetanus shot or if you’ve never had one. Tetanus is a potentially fatal infection. [41]
    • If you know the medical history of the person who bit you, a tetanus shot may not be necessary. [42]
  6. If your biter’s medical history is unknown to you, your doctor may test for the transmission of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis B at regular intervals. This can not only identify possible infection, but also put your mind at ease. [43]
    • It is very unlikely you will contract any disease such as HIV, hepatitis B, or herpes from a human bite. [44]
  7. It’s normal to have pain for a few days following the a bite wound. Use either over the counter pain relievers or a prescription pain medication to help alleviate pain and some swelling.
    • Take over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Ibuprofen may also help alleviate some of the swelling associate with the surgery.
    • Your doctor may prescribe a pain medication if over the counter pain relief doesn’t work for you. [45]
  8. If you had an extremely severe bite that resulted in the loss of tissue, your doctor may suggest plastic surgery. This can repair your skin to its earlier state with little scarring.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    I got bit on my finger and it's an open wound. It's been seven days since the bite. How long does it take for it to heal?
    Chris M. Matsko, MD
    Family Medicine Physician
    Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.
    Chris M. Matsko, MD
    Family Medicine Physician
    Expert Answer
    It could take up to two weeks. The hand does not heal as fast as the face and other parts of the body.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 26
  • Question
    I bit my friend on his palm, but it didn't break the skin. His hand is still swelling, there is a blood clot, and he has a high temperature. What is causing this?
    Chris M. Matsko, MD
    Family Medicine Physician
    Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.
    Chris M. Matsko, MD
    Family Medicine Physician
    Expert Answer
    You friend should put ice on bite in twenty minute cycles for a period of and two hours to reduce the swelling and help out with the blood clot. It might take up to a couple weeks for his hand to be healed.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Warnings

      • Do not put the bitten area into your mouth. Refrain from this common immediate reaction. The germs involved in a human bite are beyond that of even animal bites. Ingesting them by putting the bite in your mouth is not wise.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776367/
      2. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776367/
      3. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776367/
      4. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3083326/
      5. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-human-bites/basics/art-20056633
      6. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-human-bites/basics/art-20056633
      7. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-human-bites/basics/art-20056633
      8. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-human-bites/basics/art-20056633
      9. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-human-bites/basics/art-20056633
      1. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-severe-bleeding/basics/art-20056661
      2. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-severe-bleeding/basics/art-20056661
      3. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-severe-bleeding/basics/art-20056661
      4. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-human-bites/basics/art-20056633
      5. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/hand-washing/art-20046253
      6. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-human-bites/basics/art-20056633
      7. ↑ http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1054.aspx?CategoryID=72&
      8. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776367/
      9. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776367/
      10. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776367/
      11. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-human-bites/basics/art-20056633
      12. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3585263
      13. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-human-bites/basics/art-20056633
      14. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776367/
      15. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776367/
      16. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776367/
      17. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-human-bites/basics/art-20056633
      18. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-human-bites/basics/art-20056633
      19. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-human-bites/basics/art-20056633
      20. ↑ http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00003
      21. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-human-bites/basics/art-20056633
      22. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-human-bites/basics/art-20056633
      23. ↑ http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00003
      24. ↑ http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00003
      25. ↑ http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00003
      26. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776367/
      27. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-cuts/basics/art-20056711
      28. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776367/
      29. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776367/
      30. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776367/
      31. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776367/
      32. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/tetanus.pdf
      33. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776367/
      34. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776367/
      35. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776367/
      36. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776367/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To treat a human bite, apply pressure to the affected area with a clean cloth or bandage to stop any bleeding. Once the bleeding stops, wash the wound with soap and water to help prevent an infection. Alternatively, if the bleeding doesn't stop, apply a second bandage and lie down to reduce the blood flow. Then, cover the wound with a fresh bandage to limit its exposure to bacteria. If you notice signs of infection, such as redness or swelling, see your doctor to rule out any diseases, like tetanus and hepatitis B. For tips from our Medical co-author on how to use pain medication to treat a bite, read on!

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