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Bites can cause a variety of skin injuries. They may be minor, such as a surface scratch, or a major wound.
Bites, whether from an animal or a human, frequently become infected because bacteria from the mouth often enters the wound. In order to prevent infection, people should take the proper first aid steps. These include controlling the bleeding, cleaning the wound, applying a topical antibiotic, covering the wound, and when possible, elevating the injury.
In some cases, a bite wound requires a physician’s attention. Victims of animal or human bites should call their physician immediately if:
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The bite was from a cat, because they tend to inflict deeper puncture wounds that often become infected.
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The bite is on the hand, foot or head.
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The bite is deep or gaping.
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Bleeding continues after applying 15 minutes of firm and continuous pressure.
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There are signs of infection (e.g., redness, swelling, warmth, increased pain or tenderness, oozing of pus, fever).
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The bite may have resulted in a broken bone, nerve damage, tendon damage or other injury.
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The patient has a condition that weakens their ability to fight infection (e.g., diabetes, cancer, AIDS).
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The wound is deep and dirty and the patient’s last tetanus shot was more than five years ago. Most domestic cats and dogs are immunized against rabies, a life-threatening viral infection that can be transmitted through a bite. However, bites from non-immunized domestic animals and wild animals (e.g., raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes) carry the risk of rabies. Patients who have been bitten by a pet should determine if the animal has been vaccinated against rabies and seek medical attention immediately. If the animal is a wild animal, a stray cat or dog, or is seen roaming outside its property, the local animal control agency or health department should also be notified of the attack. | 
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