Bites Human And Animal

What to do if you've been bitten

Source: NHS

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If you've been bitten by an animal or another person:

  • clean the wound immediately by running warm tap water over it for a couple of minutes it's a good idea to do this even if the skin doesn't appear to be broken
  • remove any objectsfrom the bite, such as teeth, hair or dirt
  • encourage the wound to bleed slightly by gently squeezing it, unless it's already bleeding freely
  • if the wound is bleeding heavily, put a clean pad or sterile dressing over it and apply pressure
  • dry the wound and cover it with a clean dressing or plaster
  • take painkillers if you're in pain,such as paracetamol or ibuprofen children under 16 years old shouldn't take aspirin
  • seek medical advice, unless the wound is very minor

If the bite has severed a body part like a finger or ear, wash it with tap water, wrap it in clean tissue, and store it in a plastic bag surrounded by ice so it can be transported to hospital. It may be possible to surgically reattach the body part later on.

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If the bite has broken the skin, you should seek immediate medical attention after cleaning the wound. Don't delay seeking help until symptoms of infection appear. Minor bites can be treatedatyour G