$Unique_ID{BRK01058}
$Pretitle{Accidents, Poisoning, and Violence}
$Title{Routine Care of Human Bite Wounds}
$Subject{human bite treatment}
$Volume{O-11}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Routine Care of Human Bite Wounds


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  While fooling around with some of the boys I was accidently
injured when my hand was cut by his teeth.  Although not a deep cut it was
bleeding quite a bit and so I went to the emergency room to have it taken
care of.  I was surprised when the doctor did not sew it up but left it
with just a dressing.  Was this the right care?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  Yes, it was.  The simple fact is that routine care of human bite
wounds do not require suturing.  However, they should be scrubbed and cleaned
thoroughly to prevent infections, and antibiotics may be prescribed when there
seems to be a definite chance of contamination and possible resulting
infection.  Despite the fact that some human bite injuries may look fairly
trivial, no matter how innocent or superficial the bite appears, a doctor
should be consulted.  It is not the extent of the wound that is of chief
concern, but the possibility of infection that can follow this type of injury.
Untreated wounds often progress to "acute necrotizing soft tissue infections"
a condition in which there is much damage from the death of cells which can
have devastating effects.  If a bite wound is superficial, the doctor may
immobilize the hand after cleaning it, making a splint using a plaster of
Paris slab, or using lightweight aluminum or plastic splints.  An oral
antibiotic that is effective against the germs that normally are found in such
wounds is usually indicated.  The hand should be kept elevated, using a sling
and a second visit to the doctor is recommended within 24 hours so that
additional evaluation can be be made.
     If the wound is deeper, treatment begins the same way, with careful
cleaning.  If tissue damage has occurred, the dead tissue is removed by a
surgical technique called debridement.  Antibiotics are useful here as well.
Tetanus vaccination is also administered, to prevent "lockjaw".
     In the cases where there are severe bites that penetrate a joint or
tendon, hospitalization may be required for surgical repair of the wound and
the continuous administration of intravenous antibiotics.
ÿ
----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
