What Are the Dangers of a Human Bite?

Like any animal bite, a human bite can be dangerous because of the concentration of bacteria present in a human mouth. If the bite pierces the skin, it is important to thoroughly clean the wound and treat it as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of the bite, it may also be necessary to seek emergency medical treatment.

How Bites Occur

• Human bites can occur either by a direct bite (when a child bites someone, for example) or indirectly, by a body part striking someone's mouth (which might occur in a fight or sports accident). Human bites most commonly occur on the hands, but a direct bite can happen anywhere on the body. Bites that pierce the skin can cause bruising, tissue damage and infection. Studies have shown that it is possible to transmit several diseases through human bites, including tetanus and hepatitis B.

Bites That Pierce Skin

• A bite that pierces the skin can cause shallow or deep damage, resulting in minor or severe bleeding. When someone is bitten deeply enough to cause bleeding, the first step in first aid is to wash the wound with soap and water to clean out any bacteria. Next, direct pressure should be applied to the bite to staunch the bleeding. Deep bites should always be examined by a medical professional to ascertain if the victim needs a tetanus shot.

Deeper Bites

• Deep bites should also be examined to ensure that no tendon or joint damage has occurred. Particularly in the knuckles, a deep bite can damage ligaments and bones, causing long-term pain if the injury is not properly treated. A doctor may need to suture (stitch) the wound or perform an X-ray to check for bone damage from a severe bite.

Shallow Bites

• A shallow bite that doesn't pierce the skin can still damage tissue, but most bites of this type can be treated at home. A cold compress will reduce swelling, as will keeping the site of the injury elevated. Even with these precautions some bruising may still occur. Even wounds that do not pierce the skin should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, to remove any bacteria that may be present from the bite.