How to Properly Treat Animal and Human Bites?

Animal bites can be treated in a few ways. If you are willing to start treatment at home, start by:

1. Stop Bleeding
Apply direct pressure to the bite until it stops bleeding

2. Clean and Protect
For a wound or superficial scratch from an animal bite, gently clean with soap and warm water then rinse for several minutes. Finish by applying antibiotic cream to reduce the risk of infection and cover with a sterile bandage.

3. Seek Medical Help
Seek medical help immediately from urgent care if the animal bite is more than a superficial scratch or if the animal is wild or a stray, regardless of the severity of the injury. If the animal is wild or stray, call 9-1-1 immediately or animal control. If the animal’s owner is around, find out if the animal has an up-to-date rabies shot. Make sure to provide this information to your healthcare provider.

4. Follow-Up with Medical Provider
Following up with a medical provider will help, as they will make sure the wound is thoroughly cleaned and may prescribe antibiotics if they think it’s necessary. Healthcare providers may begin to numb the wound and look for any more serious damage. If there is any risk of infection, the healthcare provider may recommend anti-rabies treatment and/or a tetanus shot (booster). You may also require stitches if the wound is big enough, depending on where it is located.

Human bites can easily cause infection due to the number of bacteria in the human mouth. Healthcare providers should always check out a human bite if it breaks the skin.

Specific treatment for a human bite should be provided by a medical provider, but you can take steps before going in to help; they are:

1. Apply pressure to the bite if it’s bleeding with a clean bandage or towel
2. Wash the wound out with soap and water, place under running cool water for several minutes to help diminish infection
3. Dry the wound and cover it up with a sterile gauze
4. Visit Columbia Clinic Urgent Care to see a healthcare provider; they can provide treatments, as well as any tetanus boosters if needed, and prescribe antibiotics to treat any infections.

Animal bites can happen to anyone. If you are enjoying a nice hike or camping and come across a wild animal that may bite to protect itself, or a neighbor’s dog that either bites you accidentally while playing or from being aggressive. Many types of animals can inflict bites on adults and children, but most animal bites are from a family pet.

Medical care for an animal bite is critical, and you should be seen by a doctor immediately for several reasons:

– Risk of getting an infection, including bacterial and rabies infections
– Broken animal teeth may be embedded in your wound
– Foreign objects can be embedded in your wound
– Possible nerve damage and/or blood vessel damage

Animal bites are diagnosed and treated if you see a medical professional, such as a doctor at Columbia Clinic Urgent Care. Our healthcare professionals will inspect the bite, order any x-rays if they think you may have a fracture or broken bone, clean out the wound properly with medical supplies, remove any of the dead or infected skin that cannot be repaired to help with the healing process, close up the wound if needed with stitches or sutures, and provide additional wound care home treatments for you to manage while resting and healing.

Many times, antibiotics will be prescribed in case of an infection, and they may provide pain relief medication if the bite is severe.

Cleaning and treating the animal or human bite as soon as possible will help to reduce any chance of infection and scarring. This will not only help with the healing process but also with any serious infections that can cause internal damage. Come to Columbia Clinic Urgent Care for professional care of animal and human bites. Our kind and compassionate professionals can help you find relief from your pain.

At Columbia Clinic Urgent Care, our skilled providers offer prompt and effective treatment for animal and human bites. Bites can lead to infections, pain, and potential complications, so it’s important to seek care quickly. Our providers assess the severity of the bite and clean the wound to prevent infection. Depending on the situation, we may recommend a tetanus shot, stitches, or a course of antibiotics to prevent infection. For animal bites, we also consider the risk of rabies and take necessary precautions.

With our expertise, the providers at Columbia Clinic Urgent Care ensure you receive the right treatment to promote healing and reduce the risk of infection. Whether you’ve been bitten by a pet or another person, we’re here to provide the care you need to recover safely and quickly.  Call one of our locations today to book an appointment, or simply walk right in! We serve patients from Tibbetts St Portland, Milwaukie OR, Oak Grove OR, Stark Street Portland, Fairview OR, Happy Valley OR, Gladstone OR, Cedar Mill OR, Tibbetts Street Portland OR, West Linn OR, Aloha OR, Tigard OR, Lake Oswego OR, Tualatin OR, Oregon City OR.