Human bites

Alternative names:

bites - human

Definition:

An injury that results when bitten by a human.

Considerations:

Puncture wounds, which are common with human bites, present a high risk of infection. Besides the bacteria which can cause infection, there is risk of injury to tendons and joints when the wound extends below the skin.

Bites are very common among young children. Children often bite to express anger or other negative feelings.

Causes:

Human bites are usually caused by either an actual bite or from a fight where the victim injures his body (such as the knuckles) on someone else's teeth.