An animal bite can be dangerous if left untreated because bacteria can enter the wound, leading to infection.
In some cases, a person can prevent infection from an animal bite. Early care, including cleaning the wound, using antibiotic creams, and regularly changing any bandages, can help prevent infection.
Bites that do not break the skin will not become infected. Bites that cause a minor scrape or scratch have a minimal risk of infection. If the bite causes a cut, the person is at a higher risk of developing an infection. However, the highest risk of infection follows a puncture wound, which is common from a cat bite.
However, anyone who sustains a bite from any animal should get a tetanus vaccine if not up to date.
Keep reading for more information on animal bite infections, including symptoms to look out for, treatments, and possible complications.
Animal bites can lead to a variety of symptoms, including:
inflammation
pain
redness
swelling
These symptoms typically appear on or around the area of the bite but will not develop immediately.
If a person develops any symptoms of infection that last longer than a day, they should talk to their doctor, as this could suggest the infection is worsening.
A person may experience additional symptoms if the infection worsens. These can include:
tenderness at or near the bite
oozing liquid or pus from the bite
loss of mobility in the hand or fingers
swollen lymph nodes
trouble breathing
numbness around the bite
red streaks around the bite
night sweats
fever
weak muscles or tremors
fatigue
A person experiencing any of these symptoms should see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment to prevent the infection from spreading further.