Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Human Bites
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
A human bite is a wound or tissue injury that results from one human biting another.
What are the causes and risks of the injury?
Human bites are usually inflicted directly by an actual bite or indirectly when a body part accidentally strikes someone else's mouth such as in a fight. The knuckles are most commonly injured.
Young children, who often bite to express anger or other negative feelings, are frequently involved.
Symptoms & Signs
What are the signs and symptoms of the injury?
Signs and symptoms of a human bite may include:
Diagnosis & Tests
How is the injury recognized?
A human bite is diagnosed using a combination of history and physical findings. Often the actual teeth marks are visible. It is important that the injury is evaluated for damage to deeper tissue such as tendons and joints.
Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the injury?
It is important to teach children about the dangers of biting someone else. It is also important to avoid putting hands on or in the mouth of someone who is having a seizure.
Treatment & Monitoring
What are the treatments for the injury?
To treat a human bite, a person should:
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Side effects are minimal, provided that first aid is given immediately and that infection is diagnosed in the early stages. A tetanus shot may cause discomfort and swelling at the site of the injection.
What happens after treatment for the injury?
There can be persistent swelling, redness, and/or pus draining from the wound, persistent pain, and scarring. Adequate treatment and prevention of infection can often prevent these.
Attribution
Author:James Broomfield, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Keefe, Sandy, RN, MSN
Edit Date:05/12/00
Reviewer:Gail Hendrickson, RN, BS
Date Reviewed:07/13/01