(801) 442-2000
36 S. State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84111Map

KidsCare Online

Animal or Human Bite

Care at Home

  1. Bleeding: For any bleeding, apply continuous pressure for 5 minutes.
  2. Cleansing:
    • Wash all wounds immediately with soap and water for 5 minutes.
    • Flush vigorously under a faucet (running water) for a few minutes
      (Reason: Can prevent many wound infections).
    • Scrub the wound enough to make it re-bleed a little
      (Reason: To help with cleaning out the wound).
  3. Antibiotic Ointment: Apply an antibiotic ointment (such as- Neosporin, Bacitracin) to the bite 3 times a day for three days.
  4. Pain Medicine:
    • Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief.
    • See dosage chart.
    • Ask your pharmacist to recommend a pediatric brand containing either of these ingredients.
    • Bruises: Apply a cold pack or ice bag wrapped in a wet washcloth once for 20 minutes. Reason:reduce bleeding, pain and swelling.
  5. Expected Course: Most scratches, scrapes and other minor bites heal up fine in 3 to 5 days.
  6. IF your child becomes worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.
  1. Symptom Definition
  2. Should I Call?

Parent Care for Pediatric Symptoms. Copyright © 2000-2008. Barton D. Schmitt, MD
Reviewed/Modified: Jan. 2008 by Intermountain Healthcare, Inc.


© 2007 Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Utah. All Rights Reserved.