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This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor.
Animal and Human Bites Tactics When Teeth Bring Tears
It can happen in the blink of an eye. Your toddler hollers out 'Kitty!' as he grabs at a fluffy tail. An irate Kitty spins around and sinks her teeth into your toddler's hand.
The same thing can happen with Bowser or Fido, of course. Even the mildest-mannered pet can turn feisty or excited when overwhelmed by kid irritations.
And sometimes it's another child that takes a bite. Small children tend to try out their teeth on anything within reach. With older children, the hard bite that breaks the skin is usually the result of anger and frustration--a down and-dirty kids' battle that gets out of hand.
Whether your child is bitten by a pet, a wild animal or an intolerant playmate, you should call a physician as soon as possible. In the meantime, here's what you can do before you get to the doctor's office.
Stop the bleeding. 'Apply continued pressure until the bleeding stops, which should be two to five minutes,' says Ellie J. C. Goldstein, M.D., clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA School of Medicine. Never, however, use a tourniquet, he says: A tourniquet cuts off blood flow to the injured area and can lead to permanent damage.
Clean it up. 'Bites should immediately be cleansed with soap and water,' says Joseph Hagan, M.D., clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at the University Of Vermont College Of Medicine in Burlington and a pediatrician in South Burlington. ‘Wash the wound carefully, then soak it for 10 to 15 minutes in warm, soapy water.'
Cover it. To keep the area clean, use a simple adhesive bandage or gauze pad, says Dr. Hagan. Apply it loosely.
Use ice. Some bites just leave deep imprints without actually breaking the skin. But the pressure of the teeth leads to swelling around that area. 'In these cases, ice would be helpful,' says Dr. Goldstein. 'Remember not to apply ice directly. Wrap the ice (or an ice-pack) in a clean towel, to avoid freezing the skin.'
And elevate limbs. While the ice is on, you should also elevate the limb above the level of the heart to help avoid or get rid of swelling, says Dr. Goldstein. 'In the case of leg injuries, the child should lie down and place the limb on a pillow,' he says. For hand injuries, either use the pillow arrangement or rig a sling that holds the hand at shoulder level.
Check tetanus shots. Find your child's immunization records. Because tetanus bacteria in an open wound can cause a fatal infection, your child will need a tetanus shot if hers isn't up-to-date, says Dr. Goldstein.
Note: Children should have had a series of tetanus shots as part of their DTP--diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough)--inoculations from the time they're about two months until they're five. A booster shot is needed every ten years thereafter.
Medical Alert: When to See the Doctor
Physicians recommend that all bite wounds, whether animal or human, be seen by a doctor if the skin is broken.
If your child has been bitten by a wild animal or a pet that has rabies, he will need a series of shots to prevent rabies, says Ellie J. C. Goldstein, M.D., clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA School of Medicine. And even if there's no chance the pet is rabid, your child could get tetanus from an animal or human bite. Tetanus can be fatal--so the doctor needs to know about the bite in case your child needs a tetanus booster shot.
Aside from rabies and tetanus, the main concern about bites--both human and animal--is that the child could get an infection from bacteria that have been driven into the skin. Cat bites in particular become easily infected, says Joseph Hagan, M.D., clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Vermont, College of Medicine in Burlington and a pediatrician in South Burlington. 'A cat's jaw is small, but its teeth are like hypodermic needles,' he comments.
Even after a doctor has tended to the bite, if it later becomes painful, red or swollen, you should contact your child's doctor again as soon as possible.
Avoiding Dog Attacks
About three million dog bites are reported each year, and nearly 60 percent of those bitten are children, says Marc Paulhus, vice president for companion animals at the Humane Society of the United States in Washington, D.C. Some of those bites could be prevented, he says, if children knew the proper procedures to follow when they are threatened by a dog.
Here's what you should tell your child to do when he is approached by a dog.
1. Don't run--stay still. When someone runs, a dog will tend to chase--even a nonaggressive dog. Your child should stop in his tracks and not move.
2. Don't stare in the dog's eyes. This can be threatening to the dog, who will likely attack.
3. Try a command. Many dogs will respond to a simple command such as 'Sit' or 'No.' Your child should say the command in a firm but low voice, and if the dog obeys the command, the child can back slowly away.
4. Flop to the ground. If the dog is charging or attacking--or the child is too frightened to try the command-and-walk-away routine--your child should quickly lie face down and cup his hands behind his neck, with his forearms and elbows over his ears. This covers the sensitive areas, and the dog may just sniff and walk away.
How to Soothe Cheek and Tongue Bites
Everyone has done it--bitten the inside of the mouth or the tongue by accident while chewing. It's painful, and if it was done with any force, it can bleed.
But the home remedy is simple, not to mention tasty, according to Joseph Hagan, M.D., clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Vermont, College of Medicine in Burlington and a pediatrician in South Burlington. 'In the Hagan household,' he says, 'we keep a Popsicle in the back of the freezer for emergencies. If children won't put ice in their mouth--most of them won't--they will suck on a Popsicle.'
Caution: While most tongue bites are minor and will heal on their own, if the bite is gaping or is about ¼ inch wide, take your child to see the doctor.
Check rabies records. Any unvaccinated animal could be carrying rabies, even if it appears healthy, says Dr. Hagan. Check records of pets to see that vaccinations are up-to-date.
Keep tabs on the animal. Any animal that has not been vaccinated against rabies who bites your child should be impounded by an animal control authority for ten days, says Marc Paulhus, vice president for companion animals at the Humane Society of the United States in Washington, D.C. Animals infected with rabies can only pass on the virus when they are near death themselves. 'Any animal shedding the virus will die within ten days,' Paulhus says. The animal may not look like it is near death, however. The animal can be active and alert even up to its last day.
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