Animal Bites
Explanation | Treatment | Home care | Signs of infection | When to call the Doctor | Healing | Scar massage | Sun protection| Contact us
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center health care professionals provide information and tips for caring for a child who has been bitten by an animal.
What should I know about animal bites?
Animal bites are frequent injuries in children. The most common bites are from cats and dogs. Interestingly, the bites of these animals are less infectious than a human bite. However, you must watch your child's injury closely for infections.
How are animal bites treated?
The area around the animal bite is numbed by the injection of medication so that it can be cleansed thoroughly. Any loose bits of tissue or teeth are removed. Puncture wounds are left open.
Longer lacerations (wounds or tears) may have a few loose stitches placed to keep the edges close to one another but allow drainage of any fluid or infection. Sutures are generally removed 5-7 days later in clinic.
All animal bites are treated with antibiotics. It is very important that your child take all of the antibiotic medicine. If your child develops an infection while taking antibiotic medicine by mouth, the child will need to be admitted to the hospital so that he / she can receive antibiotics by vein.
Home Care
- Wash the site at least twice a day with antibacterial soap.
- Apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment.
- Place a clean dressing on the wounds that are on the hand, arm, leg or body. Facial bites can be left open.
Signs of Infection
Most bites from animals result in some bruising. Blue or yellow discoloration is normal in the surrounding skin. Usually there is some swelling which is at its worst at 48 hours and then rapidly returns to normal. If swelling increases after the third day, contact your child's doctor.
When to Call Your Child's Doctor
If there is redness or streaking, or if there is drainage of yellow, tan, green or foul fluid.
- If your child has a fever greater than 101°F (38.3°C) orally
Your child will be examined to determine whether there is an infection present.
Healing Wounds and Scars
All wounds heal with a scar. The important part about healing animal bite wounds is to prevent infection, which would make the wound even worse. To improve the
scarring, massage and sun protection are essential.
A scar has not settled down completely until all the pinkness has turned to normal skin color. This process can take as long as 18 months.
Scar Massage Technique
Using a thick moisturizer, rub the wound for 5-10 minutes twice daily. You must apply enough pressure to change the color of the cut from pink to pale.
Benefits from massage last until all the pink is gone from the wound.
Note: Wait for 3 weeks after the bite is repaired before massaging.
Tips for Sun Protection
Any fresh scar (one that is still pink) can get sun burned, even on dark-skinned people. Once a scar gets burned or tanned, it will not fade back to its normal color and a dark spot will always be present.
It is best to avoid sun on a fresh wound. Clothing with long sleeves, full length pants, and hats provide good sun protection. If clothing does not cover the wound, it should be covered with sun block.
Waterproof zinc and titanium oxide based sun blocks work the best, but any sun block with SPF of 15 or greater will work if applied often.
Contact us
For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
Patient Education Program II 2201 9/98
Rev. 1/06
