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So in this training, we're gonna learn what to do for animal and human bites. There are different considerations between animal and human bites. However, general first aid care is gonna be the same for both. So first, let's talk about minor wounds. Minor wounds are when a bite causes, maybe, teeth marks, bruising or scratches. You should treat this type of wound by washing the area thoroughly with soap and water. For skin with scratches, you should also apply an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection, and then cover the area with a clean bandage. A more serious bite wound is when the skin is punctured or torn and bleeding. A person with an open bite wound should receive medical treatment from a physician due to the high risk of infection. Care for an open wound that is not oozing or spurting blood by washing the area with soap and water. Then, simply apply a sterile dressing and then seek medical treatment. For a wound that is oozing blood, apply direct pressure with a clean, dry cloth to stop the bleeding. Then apply a bandage if the bleeding is under control and seek medical treatment. Now, for arterial or severe bleeding; in other words bleeding that is spurting or pulsating, or not easily controlled with direct pressure, be sure to call 911. Keep direct pressure on the wound until EMS arrives. And then watch for signs of shock, and treat them accordingly. Now let's talk about some special considerations for human bites. The most common form of human bite occurs among young children, because they're curious, angry, or frustrated. Children and their caretakers such as in day care centers are the most at risk for bite wounds. The good news is that most human bites are harmless and don't break the skin. Now, serious bites from children are highly unusual. The biggest concern with human bites is the risk of infection. You see, human saliva is known to contain hundreds of species of bacteria and is more likely to cause an infection than even animal bites. This is the reason that human bite wounds, that break the skin, need to be seen by a physician. Keep in mind that it's highly unlikely that the bloodborne pathogens like HIV, Hepatitis B or C will be transmitted by human bite. However a physician will need to make that decision and determine the recommended treatment based on the various circumstances of the bite wound. So now let's talk about animal bites like from domestic pets. Cats, dogs. These also cause most animal bites because they're around kids and in the house. But the greatest concern is that the animal bites from non-immunized animals may carry the risk of rabies. For any animal bite that punctures the skin where the rabies immunization status of the animal is unknown, the person needs to be treated by a doctor immediately. The good news is that domestic cats and dogs and other animals like, maybe, rabbits and squirrels and rodents rarely carry rabies. Rabies is more common among wild animals like raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats. In fact, bats are the most common rabies carrier. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children and adults exposed to bats, who are sleeping, and discover bats present seek medical advice even if they don't even think they've been bitten. This is because bat bite marks are hard to see. Now, for both human and animal bites, tetanus is a concern. If a person's last tetanus shot was more than, say, five years ago, and a bite wound is deep, a doctor may recommend a booster shot. So in summary, follow general first aid principles for bleeding and infection control for animal and human bites. Make sure the scene is safe before approaching a victim. And care for injuries as needed. Aftercare for a bite wound includes watching for the signs of infection which include swelling, redness, increased pain and oozing puss. A person should see a doctor immediately if these signs of infection develop.
In this lesson, you'll learn what to do when you come across patients who've been bitten by animals and/or humans.
There are a few considerations that differentiate animal and human bites. However, for the most part, general first aid care will be the same for both.
How to Treat for Animal and Human Bites
As always, the first thing you want to do is make sure the scene is safe and that your gloves are on. Make sure you have your rescue mask with a one-way valve handy and introduce yourself to the victim.
"Hi, my name's _____. I'm a paramedic. I'm going to help you."
Let's quickly differentiate between minor wounds and serious wounds.
A minor wound is defined as bites that caused teeth marks, bruising, or scratching. When you encounter minor wounds, simply wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. For scratches, apply an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection, then cover the area with a clean bandage.
A serious bite wound is one in which the skin has been punctured or torn and is bleeding. A victim with an open bite wound must seek advanced treatment from a physician due to the high risk of infection.
A serious bite wound can include severe bleeding. Unless the wound is still oozing or spurting blood, wash the area with soap and water, apply sterile dressing, and seek advanced medical treatment.
If the wound is still bleeding, apply direct pressure with a clean dry cloth or sterile gauze pad and first stop the bleeding. Apply a bandage once the bleeding has been controlled.
If your serious bite wound does include arterial or severe bleeding, apply direct pressure, call 911, and watch for signs of shock.
A severe bleeding incident is one in which the wound is spurting or pulsating blood and the bleeding is difficult to control.
Special Considerations for Human Bites
The most common type of human bite occurs among young children who are curious, angry, or frustrated. Children at day care centers are most at risk for human bite wounds.
Most human bite wounds among children are harmless, as more serious child bite wounds are very unusual. The biggest threat when it comes to human bites is infection, as human saliva contains hundreds of species of bacteria. In fact, a bite wound is more likely to become infected if it came from a human versus an animal.
Pro Tip #1: For any human bite wounds that break the skin, the patient will need to seek advanced medical care due to the risk of infection. And while highly unlikely, bloodborne pathogens like HIV and hepatitis B or C can be transmitted by human bites.
Special Considerations for Animal Bites
Most animal bites come from domestic pets like cats and dogs and typically involve young children. The biggest threat with animal bites, even domesticated animals, is the risk of rabies.
If the animal bite included the skin being punctured by a non-immunized animal, or from an animal whose immunization status is unknown, the patient will need to be treated by a physician immediately.
Pro Tip #2: Most rabies cases involve wild animals, like foxes, raccoons, skunks, and the most common rabies carrier of them all – bats. If you suspect that a patient was bitten by one of the above, keep in mind the need to seek swift medical treatment for rabies.
Warning: Tetanus can be a concern in both animal and human bites. If a patient suffered a deep bite wound and he or she hasn't had a tetanus shot in more than five years, a booster shot should be encouraged.
When it comes to animal and human bites, just following the general first aid guidelines, particularly for bleeding control and infection control, will encompass the majority of the treatment you provide.
A Word About Animal Bites
Dog bites are the most common among all types of wild and domestic animals. It's important that when a person is bitten, that they are quickly removed from the situation if possible. It's equally important to do so in a way in which you're not endangering yourself or others.
Clean minor wounds with soap and clean water and do your best to control bleeding with major wounds. If the patient is bleeding severely, apply pressure and control it as best you can until advanced medical personnel arrive.
Tetanus and rabies immunizations may be necessary, so it's vital that bites from any wild or unknown domestic animals be reported to the local health department or another agency according to local protocols. If the animal is still loose, follow local protocols regarding contacting animal control to capture the animal. Try to obtain and provide a description of the animal and the area in which the animal was last seen.