PanicStation.org
UK USA
uk Health & medical scares unfamiliar animal bite • bitten by unknown animal • animal bite broke skin • puncture bite wound • scratch that bled • bite on hand or finger • bite on face or head • wild animal bite • stray dog bite • stray cat bite • possible infection after bite • swelling after animal bite • red hot painful bite • tetanus concern after bite • rabies concern after bite • bitten while travelling • animal saliva in wound • deep bite wound • bite won’t stop bleeding • objects in bite wound

What to do if…
an unfamiliar animal bites you and the skin is broken

Short answer

Clean the wound straight away with soap and warm water, cover it, and get urgent medical advice the same day (often via NHS 111) because bites that break the skin can become infected and may need treatment.

Do not do these things

  • Do not “wait and see” if the skin is broken, especially for bites on the hand, face, foot, or near a joint.
  • Do not try to close the wound yourself (for example with glue or closure strips), or apply thick products that may trap saliva/dirt in the wound.
  • Do not scrub hard into puncture holes or dig around in the wound.
  • Do not try to catch, corner, or follow the animal to identify it if that puts you at risk of another bite.
  • Do not take leftover antibiotics “just in case”.

What to do now

  1. Get to a safe pause first. Move away from the animal and somewhere you can wash the wound without rushing.
  2. Rinse and wash the bite.
    • Rinse under running water, then wash with soap and warm water.
    • If it’s a puncture bite, wash around it carefully; don’t force anything deep into the hole.
    • If you can tolerate it, keep flushing/washing for several minutes.
  3. Gently squeeze so it bleeds slightly (unless it’s already bleeding). Then stop bleeding with firm pressure and a clean cloth/dressing if needed.
  4. Cover it. Pat dry and put on a clean, non-stick dressing (or a clean cloth) to protect it.
  5. Decide where to get help (use these triggers).
    • Go to A&E (or call 999) if the wound is large/deep or you cannot stop the bleeding. Do not drive yourself—ask someone to take you, or call 999 for an ambulance if needed.
    • Contact NHS 111 urgently if: you think there may be teeth/hair/dirt in the wound, the bite is hot/swollen/painful, there’s leaking fluid or a bad smell, you feel feverish/shivery, the bite is on hands/feet/face/head, or you have not had a tetanus vaccine in the last 10 years.
  6. Gather the details clinicians will ask for (without taking risks). Write down:
    • Time/date and where it happened.
    • What animal it was (as best you can), and whether it seemed unwell or unusually aggressive.
    • Whether the bite happened in the UK or abroad (this matters for rabies risk).
    • If there was an owner nearby and it was safe to ask: owner contact details and (if they know) the animal’s vaccination status.
  7. If you were bitten abroad, or it was a bat, treat it as urgent. Tell NHS 111/A&E explicitly that it was outside the UK or involved a bat so rabies risk can be assessed promptly.
  8. Keep the area still and elevated if it’s swelling. Especially for hand/finger bites, limit movement until you’ve been assessed.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide right now whether to formally report the incident; focus on cleaning the wound and getting medical advice first.
  • You do not need to “prove” what animal it was—give the best description you can.
  • You do not need to change dressings repeatedly today unless they become wet/dirty; a clean cover is enough until you’re assessed.

Important reassurance

Bites that break the skin are common and it’s normal to feel shaken, jumpy, or disgusted afterwards. Doing the simple basics—wash, cover, and get same-day medical advice—reduces the main risks.

Scope note

This is first steps only for the hours after a bite. A clinician may need to check for infection risk, tendon/nerve injury, tetanus protection, and (in some situations) rabies risk.

Important note

This is general information, not medical diagnosis or a substitute for professional care. If you feel rapidly worse, develop spreading redness, increasing pain, fever, numbness, or trouble moving the bitten area, seek urgent medical help.

Additional Resources
Support us