J Hand Surg Am. Some bites require the use of antibiotics through an intravenous (IV), while others may be treated with oral medication. for 10 days. Animal bites that dont break your skin, as well as scratches that just graze the surface of your skin, have a minimal risk of infection. Early treatment reduces the severity of many animal bites. PMC She said what followed was eight weeks in and out of the hospital, two weeks of surgery every other day to flush the infection out of the wound and remove infected tissue, and antibiotics to treat the rampant infection. It can be caused by overuse and repetitive movements like texting, playing video games, or writing. Univariate and multivariate statistical regression were used to analyze the data. At the hand, where cats most often bite . 2006;31:468-473. Please login or register first to view this content. 20 The trial was terminated because of high rates of infection with wound care alone (47%). Eikenella corrodens is often seen with human bite injuries and Pasteurella multocida is seen with dog and especially cat bite wounds. The infection resides in synovial or periarticular tissues and is usually bacterialin younger adults read more and osteomyelitis Osteomyelitis Osteomyelitis is inflammation and destruction of bone caused by bacteria, mycobacteria, or fungi. There was limited range of motion at the PIP joint on the second digit. The link you have selected will take you to a third-party website. But remember, if you are bitten, prompt medical care is required to prevent serious, even long-term complications from a cat bite infection. 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. The site is secure. Identifying Bug Bites and Stings, and How To Treat Them. In cat bite wounds, they are followed by Streptococci, Staphylococci, Neisseria and Moraxella spp. For an infection to set in, bacteria need time to get settled and multiply in your body which is why there is a delay between a bite and any infection symptoms. Cats, meanwhile, have sharp teeth and that dramatically increases the risk for a cat bite infection. (See also Overview and Evaluation of Hand Disorders Overview and Evaluation of Hand Disorders Common hand disorders include a variety of deformities, ganglia, infections, Kienbck disease, nerve compression syndromes, noninfectious tenosynovitis, and osteoarthritis. Privacy Policy Cureus. Emergency Medicine 46 years experience. red streaks that run up your hand and arm. This is particularly true when patients develop inflamed skin and swelling. Rabies is rare but deadly. reported a staggering 28-80 percent cat bite infection rate. The study, published in the February issue of the Journal of Hand Surgery, also revealed that eight patients needed more than one surgical procedure, and some needed reconstructive surgery. Cat scratch disease (CSD) (also known as cat scratch fever) is an infection caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae. Careers. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. "The infection from the cat bite reached my tendon," Bothun said. Acta Chir Belg. 2022 Dec 16;55:e0372-2022. Animal mouths contain a lot of bacteria which is why you want to wash it out with soap and water for around 5 minutes. Occasionally an infection can cause tendinitis, especially infection from a cat or dog bite to the hand or a finger. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. [Hyatt, 2017] PFT is a clinical diagnosis!! Obviously, the best bite is the one that has been prevented. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. On physical examination, BP was 118/80, pulse 106, respiratory rate 20 breaths per minute, temperature 99.9F, and pulse oxygenation 98%. for three to five days. There is a remarkable amount of research around cat bites. The average time people waited between getting bitten and seeking treatment was 27 hours. The researchers said 57 of the patients who were bitten needed to be hospitalized, but only 36 had been admitted immediately after seeking medical treatment. Cat bites are about twice as likely as dog bites to get infected. What are are the Differences between Cat and Dog Bites? and thats just where most people get bitten by cats. Dr. Brandon P. Donnelly is a native of Slidell, LA. J Hand Surg Am. Purpose: The warm and dark inner layers of your skin are optimal for the growth of the bacteria. Would you like email updates of new search results? Cat-scratch disease in the United States, 20052013. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help Cats carry many bacteria in their mouths capable of causing infections in bite wounds. Instead, call the animal control office in your area. If you cant capture the cat, you might need to start rabies vaccination as a precaution. A small puncture wound, particularly from a human or cat bite, may involve significant injury to the tendon, joint capsule, or articular cartilage. Serious complications include infectious arthritis Acute Infectious Arthritis Acute infectious (septic) arthritis is a joint infection that evolves over hours or days. . Dutton LK, Hinchcliff KM, Logli AL, Mallett KE, Suh GA, Rizzo M. JB JS Open Access. for three to five days or one double-strength trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole tablet b.i.d. Though house cats are often vaccinated against the most serious diseases, like rabies, stray cats arent usually vaccinated and can carry several diseases. 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. If there is a lot of blood, apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Clipboard, Search History, and several other advanced features are temporarily unavailable. The average of the participants was 49 years old, and 69 percent were women. Cat bites carry other risks besides infections. Any time the skin is punctured, you will experience some level of discomfort, but this initial pain should subside. Cat bites are typically puncture wounds that penetrate deeply into the skin and underlying tissues [2] with infection rates of up to 50% [4]. 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. Kheiran A, Palial V, Rollett R, Wildin CJ, Chatterji U, Singh HP. Source: The management of bite wounds in children--a retrospective analysis at a level I trauma centre. Cat bites with infections can become not only painful, but also red or discolored, and swollen. Avoidance of bites, prompt wound management, and judicious use of antibiotics decrease antimicrobial resistance and infection incidence. Discomfort. Small but deep punctures there led to a higher risk of hospitalization than bites into soft tissue, according to the study. Conclusions: Cat bite injuries to the hand can progress to serious infection. Mr. H. was then sent for immediate orthopedic surgical evaluation. If you know the cat thats bitten you has a rabies vaccine, its unlikely that youll contract rabies. Arnica, a homeopathic remedy, can help prevent bruising, and Ledum can help prevent infection. Another 154 were treated with oral antibiotics as outpatients, although 21 of them eventually had to be hospitalized. Adult cats bite out of fear, to assert dominance, or to demand attention. 2022 Oct;35(5):498-499. doi: 10.37201/req/009.2022. Bacteria can be potentially seeded down into joints and tendon sheaths, far away from where it would be immediately noticed. It has to pierce deep enough to get into the muscle where there is a good amount of blood flow. Wrist Tendonitis; DeQuervain's Tendonitis; Carpal Boss; Wrist Fractures; Distal Radius Fracture of the Wrist; Scaphoid Fractures of the wrist; Elbow. Keywords: When a cat lands on the ground incorrectly after jumping, the ligaments and tendons are at risk of tearing, rupturing or breaking down over time. Polymers (Basel). Cat bites are exceptionally dangerous and prone to infection because a cat's needle-like teeth can push bacteria deep into flesh, tendons and joints. The most common symptoms of infection from a cat bite include: redness or discoloration swelling inflammation warmth a bump or blister where the bite wound is located More serious symptoms of. To care for your wound at home, follow these steps: If the following symptoms occur, seek medical attention: If you have a pet cat, make sure to take them to regular veterinary visits to stay updated on vaccines. However, play it safe by washing the area thoroughly with soap and water. Use soap and water or an antiseptic such as hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. Benson LS, Edwards SL, Schiff AP, et al. If the wound is deep, if you see signs of infection as listed above, or if you have any other reason for concern, be sure to see your doctor. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Acute carpal tunnel syndrome of the hand following a cat bite. These findings should increase concern for a severe infection and warrant hospitalization and urgent consultation with a hand surgeon. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. If you have been bitten by a cat, seeyour doctor or visit anurgent care facility. Mr. H noted a progression of redness and swelling over the past three days, and admitted inconsistent use of the sling. Once symptoms are present, rabies is typically fatal. You may need to begin rabies treatment if the cat thats bitten you shows any rabies symptoms. At six-weeks postoperative, Mr. H had full range of motion and increased strength in the right hand. Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders, Amoxil, Dispermox, Moxatag, Moxilin , Sumox, Trimox, Biocef, Daxbia , Keflex, Keftab, Panixine, Cleocin, Cleocin Ovules, Cleocin Pediatric, Cleocin T, CLIN, Clindacin ETZ, Clindacin-P, Clinda-Derm , Clindagel, ClindaMax, ClindaReach, Clindesse, Clindets, Evoclin, PledgaClin, XACIATO, Acticlate, Adoxa, Adoxa Pak, Avidoxy, Doryx, Doxal, Doxy 100, LYMEPAK, Mondoxyne NL, Monodox, Morgidox 1x, Morgidox 2x , Okebo, Oracea, Oraxyl, Periostat, TARGADOX, Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs. According to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, the average patient with a cat bite first noticed their infections about 12 hours after the bite. "Every time they would stitch me up after flushing the wound the infection would just get worse. The index finger was the most common site of injury (45%). Twenty cases of cat bites to the hand and wrist were retrospectively reviewed between 2014 and 2018. "It may look like a pin prick, but rule of thumb go see a doctor if a cat bites your hand," Carlsen said. Before joining Pontchartrain Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, he completed a hand and microsurgery fellowship at the prestigiousPhiladelphia Hand Center. Cureus is on a mission to change the long-standing paradigm of medical publishing, where submitting research can be costly, complex and time-consuming. in New Orleans, where he was awarded the Orthopedic Surgery award. Wrist tendon pain usually goes away with rest, medication, injections or splinting. 6. 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 the skin and joints, increasing the risk for serious infection. Ms. Henderson is a family nurse practitioner at Wheaton Franciscan HealthcareAll Saints in Racine, Wisc. The 2023 edition of ICD-10-CM S61.451A became effective on October 1, 2022. Nearly 40% of cat bites may lead to an infection according to one estimate, which supports the extra attention medical professionals often pay to cat bites. Avoiding the Danger of a Cat Bite Infection. Bothun said she still feels pain in her wrist and does not have full movement. QUESTIONS. Its really just a function of their slender, sharp fangs. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. According to the study patients with bites directly over the wrist or any joint have a higher risk of hospitalization. Common symptoms are localized bone pain and tenderness with constitutional symptoms (in acute read more . The patient was able to return to work. Infected Cat Bite On The Wrist Photograph by Dr P. Marazzi/science from fineartamerica.com. Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a non-stick bandage. Go to doctor or ER: Cat bites to the hand and wrist have a high incidence of infection. [Treatment of bites to the hand and wrist--is the primary antibiotic prophylaxis necessary?]. Physical examination findings of erythema and swelling at presentation were also associated with increased risk of hospitalization. Though cats are soft and cuddly, they may bite or scratch when theyre spooked. Careers. Be sure to stay calm if you are bitten by a cat. ", "It can be just a pinpoint bite mark that can cause a real problem," he said, "because the bacteria get into the tendon sheath or into the joint where they can grow with relative protection from the blood and immune system.". Microorganisms. Their razor-sharp teeth and nails can puncture deeply, sometimes penetrating tissues, ligaments and tendons. This virus is almost always fatal when untreated, but its extremely rare. Medicine (Baltimore). Most domestic cats are already vaccinated against rabies. 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. Cat bites can results in mild scarring, the raised area is probably a little scar tissue settling down. Dry the bite first, to help the Band Aid stick. (2016). Millions of people are bitten by animals every year. Cat bites can also lead to bone infection, and in extreme cases, septic shock, which is a life-threatening condition. The pain was markedly worse during second-digit flexion attempts or when pressure was applied. Bothun said she waited one week after her black cat, Mr. Binks, bit. NCI CPTC Antibody Characterization Program. 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). Felines' sharp teeth can inject harmful bacteria deep into joints and tissue, doctors warn. FOIA Review: The Cat in the Window And Other Stories of the Cats We Love. A 29-year-old woman with fever after a cat bite. The patients involved in the study were all bitten on the hand. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. No drainage, fever, chills, shortness of breath, chest pain, or wheeze was reported. Some bruising may develop, but the wound should heal within a week to 10 days. Mr. H was advised to stop taking Vicodin and started on oxycodone (Percocet) 5/325 mg one or two orally every six hours as needed. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data included patient demographics, anatomical site of injury, microbiology results, method of treatment and surgical outcome. Before The pain almost drove me up the wall.". A cat bite on the hand can turn into a hospital stay, according to a new study. The wrist or any joint in the fingers are usually the worst places to be wounded and thats just where most people get bitten by cats. Can Vitamin D affect your risk of heart disease? National Library of Medicine Infections occur as a result of a combination of the oral flora of the animal and the human skin flora. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! 2006 Nov-Dec;106(6):692-5. doi: 10.1080/00015458.2006.11679983. You can contract cat scratch fever from cats infected with Bartonella henselae bacteria. Keywords: This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorization. Give them time to calm down before approaching them. Meanwhile, 80 percent of the patients were initially prescribed oral antibiotics, the researchers said. Wrist tendonitis is irritation and inflammation of the tendons at the wrist joint. 2015 Jan;23(1):47-57. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-23-01-47. Bliss 101 Registered User regular. PMC 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. Open wound of wrist, hand and fingers ( S61) S61.451A is a billable ICD-10 code used to specify a medical diagnosis of open bite of right hand, initial encounter. Check for signs such as bruising, punctured skin, bleeding, and objects stuck in the wound. Dog bites take about twice as long to set in. Mean length of hospital stay was 3.4 days in Group A, and 9.2 days in Group B, (p < .01). 2002 Jan;34(1):22-9. doi: 10.1055/s-2002-22103. According to Poison Control, CSD is usually not serious, but people with weakened immune systems are at risk of developing a more serious infection. The bacteria injected by a cat bite can include a strain common in animals and particularly hard to fight with antibiotics, he says. Pontchartrain Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center. Immunocompromised people are at a higher risk of developing a severe infection from these bacteria. How do you know if a cat bite is infected? 2019 Dec;53(6):341-346. doi: 10.1080/2000656X.2019.1637750. In todays blog post, Dr. Brandon P. Donnelly discusses why the risk of a cat bite infection has become a growing concern. Nine patients (Group B) presented later than 48 hours. . As your body works to fight the bacteria in the cat bite, you may develop a fever. Of those admitted to the hospital, 38 patients needed surgery to clean the wound or remove infected tissue. In areas where MRSA is prevalent, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, doxycycline, or linezolid should be used instead of a cephalosporin. J Plast Surg Hand Surg. 'The wrist is packed with tendons and blood vessels, so infection can be pumped to . All rights reserved. Kittens bite, mouth, and paw things to explore their worldthey're all natural behaviors. The main symptoms were limited and there was painful mobilisation of fingers and wrist, and swelling and redness in the area of the bite wound. In most cases, bites that were positioned directly over the wrist or another joint were more likely to result in hospitalization than bites to soft tissue, the researchers said. Another SOLID Site, WALANT | Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet. Cat bites only account for 10-15% of animal bites reported by emergency rooms, but they pose a much greater risk of infection. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Felines' sharp teeth can inject harmful bacteria deep into joints and tissue, doctors warn SUNDAY, Feb. 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Cat bites may look less serious than dog bites, but beware: They can cause dangerous infections, particularly when they involve the hand, new research indicates. Lesions caused by human and domestic and wild animal bites. After being advised of the risk for infection, Mr. H agreed to follow up in three days or sooner if symptoms worsened. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal When they bite you, they are essentially injecting bacteria deep into your skins tissue. Common pathogens include Pasteurella species, Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci, anaerobes, Capnocytophaga, Moraxella, Corynebacterium, and Neisseria. What are the top 3 benefits of Vitamin E? Wrist tendinitis (tendonitis) is inflammation in the tendons that connect your lower arm to the bones in your fingers. The wrist or any joint in the fingers are usually the. Infections occur more frequently in cat bites because cats have extremely sharp, pointed teeth that can cause deep puncture wounds. eCollection 2021 Nov. Savu AN, Schoenbrunner AR, Politi R, Janis JE. Painful and swollen lymph nodes for more than 2 or 3 weeks. Cat bites and scratches: Sometimes more than just a cut. "I thought I could manage them on my own but I couldn't move my wrist after a week.". I still have a small bump from a cat that bit my hand around twenty-five years ago. Polymer-Based Constructs for Flexor Tendon Repair: A Review. 2021 Sep 9;9(9):e3778. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. Erythema and pain localized to the bite suggest infection. Of these, 78% (n = 7) underwent multiple operations secondary to septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, necrotising fasciitis and deep collection. "The infection from the cat bite reached my tendon," Bothun said. An infected cat bite wound will be red, swollen, and painful, and the infection can spread through the surrounding tissues, causing a condition called cellulitis, or through the blood to other areas of the body, causing a condition called septicemia (often called blood poisoning). Therapeutic III. Conclusions: He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in biological sciences from. There are tons of dangerous bacteria flourishing inside a cats mouth. Pet owners must be made aware of the seriousness of a cat bite. When you think about being bitten by an animal, smaller is better, right? Copyright 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. 2006 Mar;31(3):468-73. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2005.12.011. Mr. H was diagnosed with a septic joint, scheduled for incision and drainage, and admitted to the hospital overnight for observation. Through this website and links to other websites, Brandon P. Donnelly, MD provides general information for educational purposes only. ", SOURCE: Mayo Clinic, news release, Feb. 5, 2014. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the [Polymicrobial osteomyelitis on the limb of the hand after a cat bite]. 1. If youre bitten by a stray, it may be necessary to capture the animal so it can be observed. Disclaimer. 2006 Mar;31(3):468-73. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2005.12.011. . Infections of Deep Hand and Wrist Compartments. Human and other mammalian bite injuries of the hand: evaluation and management. Infection in these tissues can be very painful and difficult to treat.

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