Children are sometimes bitten by their own or their friends’ pets. Hence, children have to learn how to behave towards animals. Also, animals need to be trained on how to behave towards humans as even a small creature like a mouse can nip a finger.
Here are tips to deal with animal bites:
- Wash the area very carefully with water and antiseptic, or soap.
- Use ice to keep the swelling down.
- Apply an antiseptic. Your pharmacist will be able tell you what to use if you don’t have any at home.
- Cover with a clean dressing or plaster, but take the plaster off every day to make sure the bitten place is healing well.
- Look for signs of an infection, (ie. redness, swelling, pain, tenderness and the infected part often feels hot to touch).
- Have mum, dad or a trusted adult check out the bite. If there is infection, you need to see a doctor.
- You may need to see a doctor in case you need stiches.
- Check if you need an anti-tetanus shot.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
Also, humans are animals too!
Sometimes, you may have an accident where a friend’s tooth makes a hole in your skin!
You may have a younger brother or sister who is going through a biting phase! You might accidentally hit someone in the face while playing sport and his/her teeth could break your skin.
Follow all the first aid hints and see a doctor if the bite gets red and swollen.
Important!
Animal bites and human bites can easily get infected. It is really important to keep them clean and to see a doctor quickly if there are signs of an infection.
Dr Kate says:
“Never touch any animal that you don’t know (even if it looks really cute) unless the owner is there and says that it is okay for you to touch it.
It is not a good idea to pick up or pet wild animals in the bush even if they look really cute and friendly. If they get scared they will try to defend themselves and you could be hurt.