Animal Bites: First Aid

To care for a minor animal bite or claw wound, such as one that only breaks the skin, take these steps:

Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Apply an antibiotic cream or ointment and cover the bite with a clean bandage. Seek prompt medical care if: The wound is a deep puncture or you’re not sure how serious it is. The skin is badly torn, crushed or bleeding significantly — first apply pressure with a bandage or clean cloth to stop the bleeding. You notice increasing swelling, redness, pain or oozing, which are warning signs of infection.

You have questions about your risk of rabies or about rabies prevention. If the bite was caused by a cat or a dog, try to confirm that the animal’s rabies vaccination is up to date.

Keep reading this article on Mayo Clinic.