How to Treat a Rat Bite or Scratch

The saliva and excreta of rats and mice can spread diseases. They can also bear parasites like mites and ticks that transfer diseases. In addition, a pet rat bite can carry the same kind of bacteria in its mouth as a wild rat and transmit it through a bite. Therefore, a rat bite can be potentially dangerous, and timely rat bite treatment is always advisable.

Rats and mice have sharp front teeth. As a result, your skin can get pierced and broken if a rat bites you. A person bitten by a rat would feel a sharp pinching sensation and may see some blood oozing out from the bitten area. Usually, you can see a single puncture wound on the skin where a rat bites.

If a rat bites you, take the necessary first aid before visiting a doctor. Early first aid in such a case would help you clean the wound. It will also not let the wound get further infected. Here are some first-aid measures for a rat or mouse bite:

• The first step to rat bite treatment at home is wearing appropriate protective gear like gloves and a mask. Make sure the surroundings are clean to stop further infection.

• Press the wound firmly with a gauze or paper towel to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding stops, wash the wound with mild soap and water. Rinse away all the soap with warm water, as leftover soap particles can irritate the wound later.

• Put some antiseptic ointment on the wound and cover it with a dry and fresh dressing.

• Remove any jewellery piece near the affected area, like finger rings or bracelets, in case the area swells up later.

• If possible, trap the rat that has bitten you. A health professional can examine the rat later to find out if the rat has any infection.

Rat bites may lead to an infection if proper treatment is not taken. Rat bite infection symptoms usually surface within 3 to 10 days of being bitten. Look out for the following symptoms or signs after a rat bite:

• Fever

• Swelling or redness

• Heat

• Joint pain

• Pus oozing out of the bitten area

• Skin irritation or itchiness

• Rashes

The most commonly caused infection by a rat bite or scratch is rat bite fever. Petting or handling an infected rat or eating food contaminated with rat faeces can cause rat bite fever, even if the rat doesn’t bite you.

The bacterias that can cause rat-bite fever are:

- Streptobacillus moniliformis: The symptoms from this bacteria are severe and appear after 3 days. The symptoms can last for as long as three weeks. These symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, prolonged fever, joint pain, rashes, and swelling in the hands and legs.

- Spirillum minus: The symptoms from this bacteria can surface between 1 to 3 weeks after the bite. They include irritation on the infected skin patch, swelling of the wound, fever that comes on and off at regular intervals, and swelling of the lymph nodes.

- Haverhill fever: Severe vomiting and sore throat are symptoms commonly associated with haverhill fever.

The most commonly caused infection by a rat bite or scratch is rat bite fever. Petting or handling an infected rat or eating food contaminated with rat faeces can cause rat bite fever, even if the rat doesn’t bite you.

The bacterias that can cause rat-bite fever are:

- Streptobacillus moniliformis: The symptoms from this bacteria are severe and appear after 3 days. The symptoms can last for as long as three weeks. These symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, prolonged fever, joint pain, rashes, and swelling in the hands and legs.

- Spirillum minus: The symptoms from this bacteria can surface between 1 to 3 weeks after the bite. They include irritation on the infected skin patch, swelling of the wound, fever that comes on and off at regular intervals, and swelling of the lymph nodes.

- Haverhill fever: Severe vomiting and sore throat are symptoms commonly associated with haverhill fever.

The good news is that rat fever treatment is possible with the help of some antibiotics. Avoid taking medicine for rat bites on your own and get it prescribed by a doctor. The doctor will prescribe some of the following medicines for rat bite treatment:

• Penicillin

• Amoxicillin

• Doxycycline

• Erythromycin

Rat bite fever can get severe in some cases. Therefore, the doctor may prescribe a high dosage of penicillin along with an antibiotic (streptomycin or gentamicin).

Usually, you do not need to get vaccinated in the event of a rat or mouse bite. However, in some cases, the doctor may prescribe a rabies vaccine, especially if a wild rat has bitten you. A rabies vaccine may not be given if a domestic rat bites you. It is best to let the doctor take a call on this.

If a rat bite is ignored and left untreated, it can cause serious bacterial infections and other health issues. In severe situations, the bitten person may suffer from inflammation in the heart muscles, arteries, veins, or valves. You may need stitches or tetanus immunisation if your skin has a deep wound.

A rat bite can leave a permanent scar on the exposed area or even lead to a loss of function in the patch, like the face or hands. An untreated rat bite can also cause serious ailments, such as meningitis, hepatitis, nephritis, focal abscesses, etc. The mortality rate for untreated rat bites is around 10%.

Small rodents, like mice, rats, squirrels, and chipmunks, usually do not carry rabies or transfer them to humans. However, in a few cases, rabies-infected rodents have been found. To be safe, visit a doctor and inform him if a rat or any other rodent has bitten you.

Rats and mice can be adorable pets and are typically harmless. However, you should be aware of the risks they carry. If bitten by a rat or a mouse, do not ignore it, as it may lead to a severe infection or health condition. Rat bite fever, the most common infection of a rat bite, is curable.

A doctor or healthcare professional would prescribe you some antibiotics and medicines to treat a rat bite infection. A health insurance plan can help you cover the serious health implications of a rat bite. With Tata AIG health insurance plans, you can enjoy exclusive benefits of health insurance, including cashless hospitalisation, 24*7 customer assistance, paperless policies, and tax saving.