What should you know about infected animal bite?

A bite can push bacteria beneath the skin, even when the surface wound looks small. Increasing redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, pus, unpleasant smell, or fever may indicate infection. Red streaks travelling away from the wound, swollen glands, or feeling increasingly unwell suggest that infection may be spreading.

The animal’s species and behaviour, the depth and location of the wound, and your vaccination history affect the assessment. A bite to the hand, face, foot, or near a joint can need particular care. Rabies risk depends on the animal and where the exposure occurred, so tell the clinician exactly what happened.

Wash the wound under running water with soap, remove rings or tight items near swelling, and cover it with a clean dressing. Do not close a puncture yourself, scrub deeply, or apply irritating substances. Arrange prompt medical review for any bite that breaks the skin, especially if redness or pain is increasing.

A clinician may clean the wound, check movement and sensation, decide whether antibiotics are appropriate, and review your tetanus protection. If the animal could carry rabies, ask urgently about Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. Wound Care and Dressing and Tetanus Vaccination can explain the related services.

Go to urgent care for rapidly spreading redness, severe swelling or pain, pus, fever, red streaks, reduced movement, numbness, heavy bleeding, or a wound near the eye, face, hand, genitals, or a joint. Seek immediate advice after a bite from a bat, stray animal, or animal behaving unusually, even if the wound appears minor. Call emergency services for severe bleeding, faintness, or trouble breathing.

Does this wound need professional cleaning or antibiotics? Is my tetanus protection current? Is rabies prevention needed for this animal and location? What changes should make me return urgently, and how should I dress the wound?