Mr. Hs medical history included hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and tobacco abuse. If the patient is allergic to penicillin, recommend doxycyline 100 mg b.i.d. If left untreated, infections can potentially lead to scarring, tissue loss, or even life threatening sepsis. Medicine (Baltimore). Time from bite to presentation, white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein values at presentation were not associated with hospitalization. However, play it safe by washing the area thoroughly with soap and water. The CDC says that the incubation period for rabies (time between exposure and the appearance of symptoms) can be weeks to months. If you have a hand injury and would like to have it evaluated by our areas leading hand specialist, contact us today to schedule an appointment. for three to five days. I now fear joint or bone or tendon . The family cat lunged at him and bit and scratched his hand. PMC Immediately after the incident, Mr. H. washed his wounds with soap and water, applied antibiotic ointment, and took ibuprofen for pain relief. If the patient is allergic to penicillin, clindamycin 300 mg orally every 6 hours can be used. Infection in these tissues can be very painful and difficult to treat. (2021). Misunderstanding this risk has led to a worrying number of hospitalizations, as patients require surgery to clean wounds or remove tissue thats become infected. This is the American ICD-10-CM version of S61.451A - other international versions of ICD-10 S61.451A may differ. While most bug bites cause only mild symptoms, some bug bites can transmit disease. There is not very much bloodflow to the tendon sheath. Mr. Hs right-hand wounds were cleansed with antibacterial soap, betadine wash, and sterile water rinse. He described a nonradiating pain in the tip of the second digit with limited flexion. Polymer-Based Constructs for Flexor Tendon Repair: A Review. Painful and swollen lymph nodes for more than 2 or 3 weeks. About half the patients visited an emergency room, while the rest went to their primary-care physician. The bites can even be so deep that they damage a victim's nerves, tendons and . Dog or cat bites to the hands are the most severe injuries, often requiring surgical intervention and hospitalization.1 Infectious complications occur in approximately 50% of cat bites. Preoperative Antibiotics Influence Culture Yield in the Treatment of Hand, Wrist, and Forearm Infections. If you do get a cat bite, youll likely find out pretty quickly if its going to get infected. Cat bites can results in mild scarring, the raised area is probably a little scar tissue settling down. Follow-up evaluation should focus on early detection and diagnosis of tenosynovitis, septic arthritis, and osteomyelitis. Brandon P. Donnelly, MD is not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or product you obtain through this site. Tenosynovitis refers to inflammation of a tendon and its synovial sheath; this condition occurs most frequently in the hand and wrist but can occur in any part of the extremities where a tendon glides within a synovial-lined fibro-osseous sheath. While the kitten grabbing at your hand and biting your fingers may be adorable, it wont be so adorable anymore when he has grown into an adult cat. Small but deep punctures there led to a higher risk of hospitalization than bites into soft tissue, according to the study. doi: 10.7759/cureus.9357. The small but deep puncture wounds are. Learn more about rabies in humans here. Of course, if the cat's fangs go in very deep, this could be worrisome and worth a doctor's visit! eCollection 2021 Sep. Strwald Y, Erdle B, Busch P, Kalbhenn J, Bansbach J. Anaesthesist. Uphold CR, Graham MV. Wrist Tendonitis; DeQuervain's Tendonitis; Carpal Boss; Wrist Fractures; Distal Radius Fracture of the Wrist; Scaphoid Fractures of the wrist; Elbow. If you know the cat thats bitten you has a rabies vaccine, its unlikely that youll contract rabies. PEP isnt generally needed if the cat isnt showing signs of rabies, but the cat should be monitored for at least 10 days to be sure. Nelson CA, et al. Wounds are not closed after initial treatment so that any . Some bruising may develop, but the wound should heal within a week to 10 days. Twenty cases of cat bites to the hand and wrist were retrospectively reviewed between 2014 and 2018. Would you like email updates of new search results? Fever that lasts for several days after a cat scratch or bite. Its really just a function of their slender, sharp fangs. Does vitamin D play a role in your risk of dying from cancer? HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help A. of nearly 200 cases between 2009-2011 found that one third of patients suffering from cat bite infections were hospitalized and two-thirds of those patients required surgery. The link you have selected will take you to a third-party website. Cat bites and scratches: Sometimes more than just a cut. tenderness or pain under your elbow or armpit due to swollen lymph nodes. The code is valid during the fiscal year 2023 from October 01, 2022 through September 30, 2023 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. "They can be very serious. Laboratory findings showed erythrocyte sedimentation rate 28 mm/hour, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein 14.5 mg/L, WBC 10,0000/l, RBC 3.77 106/l, hemoglobin 12.3 g/dL, and hematocrit 35.3%. There was limited range of motion at the PIP joint on the second digit. Infections of Deep Hand and Wrist Compartments. All rights reserved. Epidemiology Patients with joint capsule penetration, tendon injury, or bites older than 24 hours were excluded. Can low vitamin D increase risk of cancer? You may need to be on antibiotics so get medical care. Dont use harsh disinfectants or chemicals to clean the wound, as they may harm tissue and slow down healing. Adult cats bite out of fear, to assert dominance, or to demand attention. Can Vitamin D affect your risk of heart disease? He is currently an Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center. Bothun said she waited one week after her black cat, Mr. Binks, bit her hand to go to Saint Mary's Hospital, part of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. A more serious infection may lead to pus or what looks like red streaks down your skin and may cause fever. A 29-year-old woman with fever after a cat bite. Dawn Bothun, of Minnesota said a bite on her hand turned into an eight-week hospital ordeal and $150,000 in medical bills. Cat bites are typically puncture wounds that penetrate deeply into the skin and underlying tissues [2] with infection rates of up to 50% [4]. Does the amount of Vitamin D you have affect your odds of getting multiple sclerosis? The index finger was the most common site of injury (45%). In cat bite wounds, they are followed by Streptococci, Staphylococci, Neisseria and Moraxella spp. (2018). Identifying Bug Bites and Stings, and How To Treat Them. To assess the overall morbidity of cat bites to the hand and identify risk factors for hospitalization after such an injury. If there is a lot of blood, apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Benson LS, Edwards SL, Schiff AP, Williams CS, Visotsky JL. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, a bump or blister where the bite wound is located, inability to use your hand (if your hands been bitten), you start having any serious symptoms of an infection, such as fever, chills, pus or fluid oozing from the wound, or swollen lymph nodes, the cat thats bitten you appears aggressive or acts strangely, the cat thats bitten you is unvaccinated against rabies or youre unsure if the cat is vaccinated against rabies. Osteomyelitis following domestic animal bites to the hand: Two case reports and practical guidelines. Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a non-stick bandage. Source: Bacteriologic Analysis of Infected Dog and Cat Bites. Brian Carlsen, a researcher on the study and orthopedic surgeon at Mayo Clinic, said cat's fangs penetrate the skin and push bacteria deep into joints and tissue, causing infection. government site. A three-year Mayo Clinic study of nearly 200 cases between 2009-2011 found that one third of patients suffering from cat bite infections were hospitalized and two-thirds of those patients required surgery. Eikenella corrodens is often seen with human bite injuries and Pasteurella multocida is seen with dog and especially cat bite wounds. We recommend that any symptomatic cat bites to the upper limb, especially hand and wrist, must be treated promptly, essentially within 48 hours of injury, particularly in immunocompromised population. This then causes the wound to potentially close up around the bacteria, which can lead to an infection. Cat bites are about twice as likely as dog bites to get infected. (2016). . Your sharp, long teeth can leave deep punctate injuries. The second digit was warm to touch, red, and swollen. Guidelines for the treatment of cat and dog bites in humans. Part 2 Seek Medical Care for Severe Bites 1 Go to the doctor if your bite is too serious for you to care for it adequately. "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. A tetanus shot was administered. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are only 1 to 3 cases in the United States each year. The skin on the second digit of the right hand showed significant edema and erythema circumferentially (Figure 1). When you think about being bitten by an animal, smaller is better, right? Once trapped under the skin, these bacteria spread and multiply, causing infection and inflammation (cellulitis) of the surrounding soft tissues. Weve summarized the best studies we could find below to cover everything you wanted to know, or perhaps didnt want to know, about cat bites. Extensor Tendon Injuries are traumatic injuries to the extensor tendons that can be caused by laceration, trauma, or overuse. As for Mr. Bink's, she said they are still on good terms, but things have changed. A serious infection can develop 24-48 hours after being bitten. A prescription was given prophylactically for amoxicillin (Augmentin) 875 mg one orally b.i.d. Dawn Bothun, of Minnesota said a bite on her hand turned into an eight-week hospital ordeal and $150,000 in medical bills. A doctor or nurse will wash the wound thoroughly, trim away any dead tissue, and apply antibiotic ointment. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorization. The information in this post is not a substitute for medical care. The list above outlines the symptoms of an infected bite. The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). A doctor may give you a tetanus vaccine booster if you havent had a tetanus vaccine in the last 5 years. Cat bites are more frequent in the mornings, in the summer, and in spring [4]. Frost Bite most commonly injures your ears and nose. There was minimal pain and bleeding. The most common cause of human bites is a tooth-induced injury to the metacarpophalangeal joint as a result of a punch to the mouth (clenched fist injury). If the bite or scratch hasn't penetrated the skin, the chance of infection is minimal. Brandon P. Donnelly, MD When To Worry The wrist or any joint in the fingers are usually the worst places to be wounded - and that's just where most people get bitten by cats. Cat bites to the hand are so dangerous, 1 in 3 patients with such wounds had to be hospitalized, a Mayo Clinic study covering three years showed. As your body works to fight the bacteria in the cat bite, you may develop a fever. and 2020 Jul 23;12(7):e9357. Serious complications include infectious arthritis Acute Infectious Arthritis Acute infectious (septic) arthritis is a joint infection that evolves over hours or days. The trusted provider of medical information since 1899, Overview and Evaluation of Hand Disorders, Digital Flexor Tendinitis and Tenosynovitis (Trigger Finger), Last review/revision Apr 2022 | Modified Sep 2022. Wrist tendon pain usually goes away with rest, medication, injections or splinting. Eleven patients (Group A) were presented within 48 hours of their injury. This site is not intended to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual. Cat bites are about twice as likely as dog bites to get infected. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Early treatment is beneficial in decreasing the risk of infection. If your cats get into a serious scuffle, use a blanket or sturdy piece of cardboard to try to separate them. INTRODUCTION. From furniture, scratching posts, beds and toys to food dishes and litter boxes, youll find everything you need for your feline family members.View the Product Guide. The treatment of such infections often requires hospitalization, intravenous antibiotic therapy, and operative treatment. July 2012 edited July 2012. Hydrocodone (Vicodin) and naprosyn (Naproxen) were also prescribed for pain and inflammation. Educating the patient about the importance of early management and immediate follow-up can reduce the risk of adverse sequelae and the potential costs of hospitalization and post-bite management. A doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics to fight off the infection. Because cat bites usually cover a small area, you will probably be able to cover it with an over-the-counter adhesive Band Aid. Although cats have no more germs in their mouths than dogs or people, researchers at the Mayo Clinic found that when cats bite, their sharp teeth can inject hard-to-treat bacteria deeply into. Terms of Use. Small but deep punctures there led to a higher risk of hospitalization than bites into soft tissue, according to the study. Cat-scratch disease in the United States, 20052013. Epub 2021 Jul 2. (2016). 28 Dog bites cause approximately 0.4 percent of emergency department visits and account for 60. J Hand Surg Am. Cat bite: an injury not to underestimate. cat bites Pasteurella (most common, 70-80% of cat bite infections) Pasteurella multocida and Pasteurella septica causes intense pain, swelling in 48h other organisms similar to dog bites Associated conditions secondary bacterial infection most bites do not become infected risk factors for infection bite to hand, foot, or major joint