MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia:Animal bite - first aid

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Animal bite - first aid - series: Procedure, part 1

Animal bite - first aid - seriesIllustrations:

Procedure, part 1

Procedure, part 2

To treat a minor bite, first wash your hands thoroughly with soap to avoid infection. Wash hands afterwards as well. If the bite is not bleeding severely, wash the wound thoroughly with mild soap and running water for 3 to 5 minutes. Then cover the bite with antibiotic ointment and a clean dressing.

Update Date: 1/16/2007

Updated by: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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