Home > Encyclopedia of Children's Health > Human Bite Infections

Definition

Human bite infections are potentially serious injuries that develop when a person's teeth break the skin of the hand or other body part and introduce saliva containing disease organisms below the skin surface.

Description

There are three common types of injuries caused by human bites:

• Closed-fist injuries: These are injuries to the hand sustained in a fight when the skin over the knuckles is broken and penetrated by the teeth in the opponent's mouth.
• Occlusional or chomping injuries: This type of injury results when a person bites down hard on another person's ear, nose, or finger.
• Avulsion injuries: Avulsion is the medical term for a ripping or tearing of the skin or body part. Human bites on the head and neck may cause avulsion injuries to the...