FreeMD® Animal Bites: Home Care

Animal Bites

pain in children

warning signs

Underlying Cause

Animal Bites Home Care: Warning Signs

Notify your doctor for:

Bite over a joint or tendon
Bite that penetrates through the skin
Bite to the face, hands, feet or genitals
Bite from an animal that has not been vaccinated against rabies:

Bats
Cats
Dogs
Foxes
Raccoons
Skunks
Woodchuck

Lymph gland swelling near the wound
Fever over 101 degrees F (38.3 C)
Worsening pain at the site
You have not had a tetanus shot in the past 5 years
Worsening skin redness and pain:

Cellulitis of the face
Cellulitis of the ear
Cellulitis of the arm
Cellulitis of the hand
Cellulitis of the leg
Cellulitis of the foot
Cellulitis of the abdomen
Cellulitis of the breast

Red streaks spreading from the wound:

Lymphangitis of the arm
Lymphangitis of the back of the leg
Lymphangitis of the hand from a finger wound

Swollen lymph glands above the bite:

Continue to Animal Bites Complications

View more Wound or skin infection topics

Related Topics:

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Last Updated: Apr 9, 2008 References

Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD

Copyright 1989-2008 DSHI Systems, Inc. Powered by: freeMD

Animal Bites References: