Infectious bites and scratches

Bites and scratches themselves usually aren’t a major concern in themselves (apart from drop bear bites), however, the risk of bleeding and potential for infection is the main things to watch out for as first aiders.

Prevention

WebMD make the following suggestions to prevent domestic and wild animal bites.

* Do not disturb animals, even your family pets, while they are eating, sleeping, or nursing. Animal mothers can be very aggressive when protecting their young.

* Never leave a young child or baby alone with a pet or wild animal.

* Do not approach or play with unfamiliar or stray pets or wild animals.

* Teach children to ask permission from a pet’s owner before petting the animal. Do not pet an animal without first letting it sniff you.

* Don’t run past a dog, because dogs naturally love to chase and catch things.

* Many animals give a warning sign before they attack. If you have animals in your home, know their warning signs and teach them to your children.

* Do not try to separate fighting animals. If available, water sprayed from a hose will often break up the fight.

If you see a threatening dog:
* Stay still. Do not run.
* Do not make direct eye contact with the dog or stare at the dog. Staring at a dog may be interpreted by the dog as a threat and aggression.
* Don’t scream. If you say anything, speak calmly and firmly.

If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your head and neck. Protect your face.

Notify owner and landmanger of attach.

Signs & Symptoms

Gernerally for bites
* People will report having been bitten;
* puncture,
* lacerations,
* abrasions or scrapes,
* bruising and swelling.

Keep and eye out for Infection over time;
* swelling,
* redness,
* tenderness,
* pain around the wound,
* liquide discharge,
* swollen lymph nodes,
* shivers and/or high temperature.

Management
General management includes: stemming the flow of blood, and preventing infection. For any bite, tetanus may develop, so get checked by a healthcare professional who may administer a tetanus booster.

DRSABCD
The 7 steps to manage any first aid scenario

Wound Care
First aid for wounds

Leech Bite Management

There is currently no research into best practice for leech removal, so beware of websites and blog posts suggesting best methods to remove leeches!

The problem with remedies like adding adding salt, insect repellent, shampoo, vinegar or heating it up with a lighter or match is that these techniques increase the risk of the leech discharging gut contents (including bacteria) into the wound. The result could range from a localised infection right up to life-threatening blood poisoning.

* To minimise the risk of infection, removal of leeches by gently scaping using fingers or edge or a card to slide the leech sideways. Leeches use suction to attach, once dislodged the leech can be flicked away from people.
* Immediately wash the wound thoroughly
* Apply an antiseptic solution after washing.
* monitor for infection

* Since leeches inject an anticoagulant into the wound site to increase the flow of blood. Manage bleeding with an absorbent pad.
ost removal, apply wound care first aid to the bite site and monitor for allergic reaction (unlikely, but possible.

Dogs, Cats & other Mamamel Bite Management

Bites usually occur if the animal is provoked, scared, unwell or protective of young.
* Immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least five minutes.
* Apply an antiseptic solution or alcohol gel after washing.
* Seek medical aid & monitor for infection

Bat Bite Management

Australian bats mary carry lyssavirus, which has led to fatalities when passed onto humans. Early signs and symptoms are flu-like. The best prevention is to avoid handling bats, however, if you are bitten or scratched:
* Immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least five minutes.
* Apply an antiseptic solution or alcohol gel after washing.
* Seek medical aid & monitor for infection