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Medical Author:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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When to Seek Medical Care

Even with what appears to be a minor bite, contact a doctor to be sure a tetanus shot is not needed. Once the skin is broken, the doctor should be consulted because the risk of infection is higher. Any sign of infection, even if the affected person have already been seen by the doctor, is a reason to call.

If there is any suspicion that part of a tooth is in the bite wound (foreign body), people should seek medical care as this will increase the risk of the infection.

Using the hospital's emergency department for a human bite is often the proper treatment to seek. Emergency doctors generally have a lot of experience with bites and other wounds. People who do not have a doctor or who cannot get in touch with their doctor may have to use the emergency department even for minor bites in order to get a tetanus shot and a doctor's opinion of the need for other treatment, such as antibiotics.

• Closed fist injuries: Bites over the knuckles are very serious. These are at high risk for infection. Once infected, these bites can lead to major damage to the important parts of the hand. Additionally, the force of punching someone in the mouth can lead to broken bones or cuts in the tendons, and those need expert care. An infected bite in this area will usually require an overnight stay in the hospital.
• Finger chomping injuries: Just like the closed fist injury, this human bite can lead to serious problems. The bones and tendons can be injured and are at risk for infection.
• Bites with tissue loss: If a significant part of skin and muscle tissue is lost, the patient needs to seek medical care as soon as possible. An expert (for example, a hand surgeon) can often repair loss of a tissue part as the result of a human bite.
• Deep bites: Any bite that bleeds a lot or appears to be more than a scrape needs thorough cleaning and examination..
• Infected bites: Bites that are infected often require the patient to stay in the hospital and receive antibiotics through an IV. The doctor will determine if treatment with oral antibiotics is possible or if IV medication and a hospital stay is warranted.
• Bites of the head in children: Because of the thin nature of the scalp and the risk of a serious infection, any cut in a child's scalp (including the forehead) that was caused by a tooth should be evaluated by a health care practitioner.
• Bites in other special areas: Bites of the ear and nose are a problem because of the cartilage in this area. Due to decreased blood flow, an infection of the cartilage can be very difficult to treat and can cause permanent damage.