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Suggest Treatment For Bite On Hand By A Child With Autism
Question: I work with autistic children and I got bit on my hand yesterday pretty badly. I went to the clinic and they gave me antibiotics, took some blood tests, took an x-ray, and wrapped it in gauze. I am concerned about the loud pop I heard when it happened. It wasn't a cracking of a knuckle, it was a pop from her biting down. I was wondering what this could be.
Brief Answer:
Injection TT.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and pictures.
The loud pop you heard must have been due to the suckling action of the mouth of the child who bit you, autistic child has a different habit of movement of mouth as you must observed. Another possibility is when the tissues moved on each other during the act of biting.
As seen in the picture, the white layer of the skin is not broken at some places, the pop could have been when the teeth entered through this tough layer.
And more important is: have you taken the injection tetanus toxoid booster ?
Adding metronidazole even in low dosage in addition to the antibiotics already prescribed is important as it works well against the bacteria in oral cavity including the bacteria responsible for causing tetanus.
If the picture you posted are fresh (snapped) just now, you can clean the area with lots of hydrogen peroxide and apply liquid povidone iodine locally 2 to 4 times a day as the best wound care.
Is the X-ray normal?
Are the movements of the thumb and first finger normal ?
Take care and you will be fine very soon ; And kudos to you that you are working for the Autistic children.
Injection TT.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and pictures.
The loud pop you heard must have been due to the suckling action of the mouth of the child who bit you, autistic child has a different habit of movement of mouth as you must observed. Another possibility is when the tissues moved on each other during the act of biting.
As seen in the picture, the white layer of the skin is not broken at some places, the pop could have been when the teeth entered through this tough layer.
And more important is: have you taken the injection tetanus toxoid booster ?
Adding metronidazole even in low dosage in addition to the antibiotics already prescribed is important as it works well against the bacteria in oral cavity including the bacteria responsible for causing tetanus.
If the picture you posted are fresh (snapped) just now, you can clean the area with lots of hydrogen peroxide and apply liquid povidone iodine locally 2 to 4 times a day as the best wound care.
Is the X-ray normal?
Are the movements of the thumb and first finger normal ?
Take care and you will be fine very soon ; And kudos to you that you are working for the Autistic children.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you for your response! Yes, I have had the tetanus booster and started antibiotics today. That first picture was about 10 seconds after to happened, and then it started to bleed pretty badly. The second picture is from last night. I have been working with autistic children for a long time and I definitely know what the suckling popping sound sounds like. It must of been from her breaking one side of the skin first and then biting in more on the other creating the pop like you said. I am just concerned with the mobility and pain my my thumb. It hurts to extend it and touch the tips on my fingers to my thumb.
Brief Answer:
Take care and complete the course
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your feedback.
Yes, this may be the reason of popping sound.
Good that you took Tetanus.
The pain will obviously be there. Inflammatory response causes pain which in turn limits mobility. I would reassess the mobility once pain / inflammation subsides. Please take the full course fo the antibiotic and other medicines.
Also take full precautions from next time onward.
Take care and complete the course
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your feedback.
Yes, this may be the reason of popping sound.
Good that you took Tetanus.
The pain will obviously be there. Inflammatory response causes pain which in turn limits mobility. I would reassess the mobility once pain / inflammation subsides. Please take the full course fo the antibiotic and other medicines.
Also take full precautions from next time onward.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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