How to Treat a Bite on an Infant

Bites are unfortunately a part of life; nearly everyone has had one at least once in their lives. However, insect, animal, and human bites are more worrisome for infants because infants may be allergic and have a greater chance of getting an infection because their immune systems are not fully developed yet. Most of the time, there is no need to panic; treating insect, human, animal bites is simple. Provide safe treatment and care for your baby's bite.

Things You'll Need

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Water
• Towel
• Betadine
• Cold compress
• Cold washcloth

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Instructions

Insect Bites

• 1

  Rub with dilute hydrogen peroxide. Taking one part of hydrogen peroxide and one part water, create a dilute solution to rub over the affected area. Hydrogen peroxide will draw out any bacteria that may have been in the bite. After two minutes, rinse off the solution. Leaving the solution on for too long may damage the skin.

• 2

  Place a cold washcloth or compress on the bite to relieve itching and burning. The affected area will be moderately relieved. Calm your child by rocking him; wrap the washcloth or compress around the insect bite and tie it down with a towel. Be careful not to tie to tightly or you may cut off circulation to the affected area.

• 3

  Use soothing anti-itch ointment. Calamine lotion or any non-toxic anti-itch ointment can be used to soothe a baby who is itchy. However, it is not recommended to use oral anti-histamines on an infant because it is easy to overdose on these types of medication. If your child is still scratching at the bite, clipping her nails will help prevent her from tearing the skin and prevent her from possibly getting an infection.

• 4

  If the wound oozes pus, this could mean that it has become infected. To treat an infection, in addition to the hydrogen peroxide solution, use one part Betadine to three parts water and rinse. Find Betadine at your local pharmacy. Follow steps 1 to 3 afterward.

Animal and Human Bites

• 5

  Animal bites are also common among infants when animals are handled too roughly and retaliate by biting. Animal bites are most common on the face and extremities. Human bites are usually not deep and unlikely to get infected. To treat animal and human bites, wash the wound with mild soap for at least five minutes.

• 6

  Use a numbing cream to dull the pain in the area.

• 7

  Use a cold compress in the area to reduce bruises.