This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Bite injuries (hand)

Authoring team

Most frequently, bite injuries to the hand are the result of a punch by the injured party to the teeth of an opponent. Skin, tendon and the capsule of the dorsum of the metacarpophalangeal joint may be breached.

Organisms involved include:

  • mixed growth - 65%
  • Staphylococcus - 26%
  • Streptococcus - 9%
  • Eikenella corodense, an anaerobic Gram-negative rod

Serious injuries, they require rapid treatment:

  • radiography of hand to exclude foreign bodies: all foreign bodies should be removed
  • broad spectrum antibiotics, particularly against anaerobes, until cultures are available
  • wound excision and irrigation
  • repair of damaged structures e.g. tendons
  • delayed primary closure if extensive or late presentation

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.