Animal bites are a common occurrence, particularly among children. According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, dogs cause the majority of animal bites in the United States. Other animals that bite humans include cat, rodents, farm animals and marine animals. The greatest health risk after an animal bite is the possibility of infection. Of all animals, cat bites have the greatest potential for infection, because their sharp teeth can burrow deep into the tissue. One of the first signs of an infected animal bite is swelling at the site, for example a finger. There are several strategies to follow to reduce the swelling of an infected animal bite to the finger and to decrease the potential for long-term complications.
Recognize the Symptoms of Infection
Step 1
The mouths of animals as well as humans are populated with a wide array of microorganisms. These bacteria, when introduced to a body through a bite, can seed the tissues and begin to grow, resulting in an infection. The hand and the fingers in particular have a higher risk of infection following an animal bite. This is due to the complicated anatomy of the digits and the relatively poor blood supply to some of their deep tissue structures. The depth of the wound therefore determines the resulting type of infection. Surface bites or scratches can cause cellulitis, or infection of the superficial layers of the skin. If the bite is deeper, it can cause tendinitis, an infection of the tendons in the finger, or osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone. Signs of infection include swelling, redness and pus at the site of the bite, red streaks extending from the wound, decreased mobility and pain of the finger, and loss of circulation due to the swelling, which can make the finger appear pale or blue. Fevers, night sweats, chills and loss of sensation to the fingers can indicate a much more serious infection.
Step 2
Start treatment early to minimize swelling. The most important step in preventing swelling and infection of the finger after an animal bite is a thorough cleansing of the wound. According to the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, clean the wound with copious amounts of warm water and soap for about five minutes immediately after the bite to remove the dirt and saliva that contain bacteria. If the wound is bleeding, direct pressure with a clean cloth or gauze and elevation of the finger can help control swelling. Gently scrubbing the wound will help decrease the possibility of swelling due to infection. Risk of swelling may likewise be reduced by application of an antiseptic solution or antibiotic ointment after washing; wrapping a warm compress around the finger may be helpful as well. Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen will help control the swelling of mild infections, and treat any pain and fever. Prevent re-infection of the wound by covering it with a sterile dressing or bandage.
Step 3
Avoid complications of swelling. In order to minimize the swelling and avoid complications of the bite, doctors may need to order tests to assess for tissue damage. X-rays can determine if there is bone trauma as a result of the bite. Other studies such as magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, can identify damage to the tendons and help your physician diagnose osteomyelitis, or bone infection. Significant swelling may require surgical intervention to decrease the pressure within the finger and properly clean the infection out of the deeper tissues. According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, surgical exploration also helps remove devitalized tissue, damaged skin and clots that can interfere with the healing process. Antibiotics may be necessary to decrease the swelling and control the infection. A prolonged course of intravenous antibiotics is sometimes prescribed to treat deep tissue infections such as osteomyelitis that can cause significant swelling. Damage to the tendons also requires surgery by a hand specialist.
Tips and Warnings
- If you sustain an animal bite, seek advice from your physician to reduce serious complications that can arise from infection.
