Ask Me Help Desk - How likely is a human bite to become infected?

How likely is a human bite to become infected?

My friend bit me past the skin on the shoulder about five hours ago and it is still swollen. Is this likely to become infected?

Yes it may be possible as with any bite.

But how likely?

What should I use to treat the bite?

Hi, xXxEmOxXxPrInCeSsxXx!

Washing it with warm water and clean soap would be a good start. Then rinsing to make sure all the soap is gone. Dry with a clean towel and apply an atibiotic oitment then the appropriate sized bandage.

If there's any sign of infection, then it would be best to see a physician.

Is it bleeding? Why did your friend bite you, please?

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

Hi, xXxEmOxXxPrInCeSsxXx!

Washing it with warm water and clean soap would be a good start. Then rinsing to make sure all the soap is gone. Dry with a clean towel and apply an atibiotic oitment then the appropriate sized bandage.

If there's any sign of infection, then it would be best to see a physician.

Is it bleeding? Why did your friend bite you, please?

Thanks!

I used some sea salt solution. Is that all right?

I'll try some antibiotic ointment.

It stopped bleeding only a few hours ago. He bit me because I bit him first, during an immature pseudo-argument. (He was laughing about my tourettes, I sound like a puppy getting stepped on, and I threatened to bite him, jokingly, if he continued laughing. He laughed harder and I bit him, then he claimed it was his turn and bit me back) Biting each other is not uncommon for us. Just usually not this deep.

The important thing is that the wound be cleaned and have an antibiotic placed on it.

I know that sea salt has been used on wounds for hundreds if not thousands of years. However, I can't verify the value of using it. Such an evaluation would need to be made by a physician.

What kind of antibiotics do you have, please?

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

The important thing is that the wound be cleaned and have an antibiotic placed on it.

I know that sea salt has been used on wounds for hundreds if not thousands of years. However, I can't verify the value of using it. Such an evaluation would need to be made by a physician.

What kind of antibiotics do you have, please?

Thanks!

I just checked the cabinet, we haven't any left. There is no signs of infection so far. Should I just cover it and hope for the best and keep an eye on it?

Please make sure that you wash it, dry it and cover it with something sterile and clean.

How large is the wound, please?

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

Please make sure that you wash it, dry it and cover it with something sterile and clean.

How large is the wound, please?

Thanks!

I just washed, dried, and sterilized it.

It's about 2.5 by 2 inches and a few milimeters deep

Neosporin ointment, Triple anti-B or and/or rinse with Hydrogen peroxide.

That's a fairly large area. Are all of the holes that deep?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

That's a fairly large area. Are all of the holes that deep?

A large area has the skin completely scraped off, there are a few holes though. His incisors.

It isn't as sore anymore and has started to become more bruised than swollen

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeepItSimpleStupid

Neosporin ointment, Triple anti-B or and/or rinse with Hydrogen peroxide.

The Hydrogen Peroxide came to my mind initially, K.I.S.S. However, I found the following about it.

From the following site: The Many Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide-Truth! Fiction! & Unproven!

Quote:

For many of us, hydrogen peroxide was one of the first things we put on a cut or a wound, but that is less recommended nowadays. The reason, according to numerous medical sites, is that there is a downside to the hydrogen peroxide as well. It also damages healthy cells that are needed for the wounds to heal and hinders them from getting to the area where the healing needs to take place. The HealthFinder publication of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says don't use hydrogen peroxide on a wound because it interferes with healing. The U.S. Gymnastics team has followed the recommendations of researchers and uses soap and water for cleansing wounds and not hydrogen peroxide. The National Safety Council's First Aid Pocket Guide (1996) says "DO NOT use hydrogen peroxide It does not kill bacteria, and it adversely affects capillary blood flow and wound healing." The Mayo Clinic gives the same advice.

I have no clue as to how authoritative what I quoted is.

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough
That's a fairly large area. Are all of the holes that deep?

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXxEmOxXxPrInCeSsxXx

A large area has the skin completely scraped off, there are a few holes though. His incisors.

It isn't as sore anymore and has started to become more bruised than swollen

Well, bruising would be normal. But, if there's any sign of infection, like swelling and/or unsusual discharge of a fluid, then it would be best for you to see a physician.

All right

And I avoid Peroixide because my piercer told me it can cause chemical burns inside my flesh

You've cleaned and dried it. Correct?

What all have you now put on it?

You are right, that we grew up on Hydrogen Peroxide and we used to pour it on wounds.

Soap and water is always good. Water is good too. Neosporin is a good choice after washing providing your not alergic to it.

Hydrogen Peroxide works well to remove dried blood on clothes and skin and anywhere else.

Like you, I grew up using Hydrogen Peroxide, K.I.S.S. :)