Bite

Bite
Specialty	Emergency medicine, Dermatology
Symptoms	Pain, swelling, redness, broken skin
Complications	Infection, Rabies, Tetanus
Usual onset	Immediate
Duration	Variable
Types	Human, animal, insect
Causes	Biting by humans, animals, or insects
Risk factors	Close interaction with animals, lack of vaccinations, poor wound care
Diagnostic method	Based on symptoms, examination
Prevention	Vaccination, avoiding provoking animals, using insect repellent
Treatment	Cleaning the wound, antibiotics, vaccines
Medication	Antibiotics, pain relief
Prognosis	Generally good with treatment
Frequency	Common

A bite is a wound received from the mouth (and sometimes associated structures) of an animal or human. Bites can inflict physical injury and can transmit infections or cause severe allergic reactions. The management and potential complications of bites vary depending on the type of bite and its location on the body.

Types of Bites

Bites can generally be classified into three main types:

• Human bites - These occur when one person bites another. They can be particularly prone to infection due to the high levels of bacteria in the human mouth.
• Animal bites - Commonly from pets like dogs and cats, or from wild animals such as bats, raccoons, and snakes. The risk of Rabies is particularly associated with bites from certain wild animals.
• Insect bites - These bites are usually from insects such as mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. They can lead to irritation and can sometimes transmit diseases like Malaria or Lyme disease.

Symptoms and Complications

Symptoms of bites include immediate pain, swelling, redness, and potentially broken skin. Complications may develop such as infection, which can be severe and include Cellulitis and Sepsis. Specific bites, such as those from rabid animals, can lead to fatal diseases like rabies if not promptly treated.

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention of bites includes measures such as using insect repellent, ensuring pets are vaccinated, and avoiding contact with unfamiliar or wild animals. Treatment typically involves cleaning the wound thoroughly to reduce the risk of infection. For more severe bites, or those from animals with unknown vaccination status, medical evaluation may be necessary to administer treatment like rabies vaccination or antibiotics.

See Also

• First aid
• Wound healing
• Zoonosis

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