Animal and human bites

This page is about human bites and bites from animals, such as cats and dogs, that have broken the skin. There's a separate page about snake bites.

There are some things you can do after being bitten by an animal or a person.

Do

  • clean the wound with soap and warm water

  • gently squeeze the wound so it bleeds slightly (unless it's already bleeding) – this can help reduce the risk of infection

  • press a dry dressing or clean cloth firmly onto the wound to stop the bleeding if it's bleeding heavily

  • after cleaning the wound, gently pat it dry and cover it with a clean dressing

  • take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help ease any pain and swelling – children under 16 should not take aspirin

Get help from NHS 111 if:

You've been bitten and:

  • you think there may be objects like teeth, hair or dirt in the wound
  • the bite is hot or swollen (it may also be painful, red or darker than the surrounding skin, which may be harder to see on black or brown skin)
  • you have a high temperature, or feel hot, cold or shivery
  • fluid is leaking from the bite
  • the bite smells unpleasant
  • you were bitten on your hands, feet, face or head
  • you were bitten by a person
  • you have not had a tetanus vaccine in the last 10 years

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Go to A&E if:

You've been bitten by an animal or person and:

  • the wound is large or deep
  • you cannot stop the bleeding

If a body part, such as part of a finger or ear has been torn off, wrap it in clean tissue and put it in a plastic bag. Put some ice around the bag and take it with you to hospital.

Find your nearest A&E

Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring any medicines you take with you.

If you've been bitten by an animal or person, a doctor or nurse will check the wound.

They may:

  • clean the bite thoroughly – if the wound is very dirty, some of the affected area may need to be removed to reduce the risk of infection
  • close the wound with stitches, sticky strips or special glue, or leave it open to heal
  • give you antibiotics to stop the wound becoming infected
  • check your risk of getting tetanus and rabies – you'll be given treatment to prevent these serious infections if needed

If you've been bitten by a person, you may also be offered a blood test to check for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.