Most bites do not cause much damage to the tissue surrounding the bite. Some bites, however, can cause serious damage to underlying tissues. These bites may also become infected and should be evaluated and treated by a health professional.

Animal bites

A large animal bite to a small child's face, head, or neck can cause damage to deeper tissue, skull fractures, bleeding around the brain, and infection of the brain or surrounding tissue. Severe blood loss may also occur from wounds to the scalp.

Large animal bites to the hands or feet or over a joint area can easily damage nerves and blood vessels or cause broken bones.

A bite from a dog or another animal with large, powerful jaws (such as a bear) may cause a crushing injury and severe damage to blood vessels, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, or bones.

Human bites

Bites caused by adults are of greater concern than bites caused by children. Bites caused by adults usually are more forceful and cause more damage to underlying tissues. Bites caused by children usually are not very deep and are not likely to become infected.

Human bites can:

• Cut or puncture the skin over a knuckle joint. This injury usually occurs in a fight when a punched fist strikes the teeth.
• Happen if a person puts his or her fingers into the mouth of a person having a seizure.
• Affect medical personnel while giving medical care.
• Be caused by abuse.
• Cut or puncture the genital area during sexual activity.

Sometimes a person delays seeking care for a bite because the person was bitten by a pet or because the person is embarrassed by the cause of the bite. Whenever a bite might have damaged underlying tissues, it is important to seek medical treatment.