Hello there viewers, welcome back! Imagine having a good night’s sleep when you feel a sharp pinch
at your toe. It’s a mouse! Out of the 2 million animal bites that occur every year in the US,
Mouse bites are responsible for 1% of them. If left untreated rodent bites
can lead to bacterial infection, changes in the kidneys or liver and may cause pneumonia.
Mice aren’t aggressive by nature but if they see a threat they’ll bite. You’re most
likely to get bitten while handling a mouse. Usually these bites aren’t serious but the
main problem is infection because they’re carriers of deadly viruses and bacteria.
If you are looking for ways to manage a mouse bite or are just curious to know more about
it then here’s what to do: 1. Wash and soak the wound
Prevention is better than a cure. Now that you’ve been bitten you are going to have to
put a full stop to the spreading of infection - and quick. Wash the wound thoroughly under
running water for at least 20 seconds. This will inhibit the spreading of disease like tetanus.
Proper cleaning of the affected area plays a major role in the overall prevention of infection.
You can also soak the wound with a cloth dipped in warm water, you can also use saltwater. It
is kind of like soaking your dirty dishes in warm water but the intention remains the same,
to stop the bacterial infection. A salt water soak will sting but it’s worth it!
Salt water has some amazing benefits! Have you ever tried some DIY pain
reliever involving salt? What about Himalayan salt? Let’s get the comment section going!
2. Cover your wound You don’t want to leave your wound open
as it will increase the chance of infection, and that will make healing more difficult.
The best way to close it up is by applying antibacterial ointment and then wrapping it in
clean, sterile gauze. To avoid irritation of your skin remember to clean away all the soapy water.
You should only cover the wound if it has the possibility of getting dirty or scrapped.
If the bite is on part of your body that doesn’t get touched a lot like toes or fingers then you
don’t have to gauze it up. Leaving the wound uncovered results in a quicker
recovery since it remains dry. 3. In case of bleeding
A little bit of blood may make you nervous but there is no cause for alarm yet!
Calm down and see if the blood is flowing freely or lightly. In case of light flow,
press around the wound to make the blood ooze out. We’re not being gross, there’s a reason! It’s to
clear out any toxins or infectious bacteria. Squeezing out the blood sounds icky but it is
an important step during most animal, rodent or lizard bites. The intention is to minimize the
spread of a potential venom or infection to the rest of the body. After doing this be sure to
complete dressing the wound with a clean sterile pad that will apply pressure and secure the blood.
4. Pain relief medication If you look at the mouse bite closely
you will see it looks like 2 tiny holes from the rodent’s razor sharp teeth. Since this injury will
be extremely painful you can have a pain killer after consulting your doctor to be on a safe side.
They might recommend ibuprofen to get rid of the pain. Mouse bites can hurt
really badly since these rodents have strong front teeth that can break through your skin.
Look For Early Signs Of Increasing Infection:
Keep an eye on the bite to see if there’s an infection and whether it is increasing
or not. Symptoms include: - Pain keeps getting worse
instead of better as expected. - You start developing a fever
which is never good news in case of infections. - Redness developing around the wounded area. This
means that the infection is spreading gradually. - Bloating up of your lymph nodes is another
indication of growing symptoms. This may occur on your neck, armpit or groin region.
- The affected area feels tender when you touch it.
When to seek medical help: Did the mouse just scratch you or did it bite you?
Was the bite intense or light? To be completely sure and to eliminate all possibility of infection
it is vital for you to go see a doctor ASAP. After cleaning the wound, applying ointment and
dressing it head over to the nearest doctor. Another sign for you to go see a doctor is if
you notice that after 3 days the wound is not healing like it should. Do not try any homemade
DIY treatments or medications. This means that the dressing and ointment is not working and
maybe you need some medical attention. Rodent bites can easily result in potentially serious
infections like rat bite fever if not taken care of in the early stages. Especially if the person
involved is a child or an elderly individual. The doctor may give you a booster shot for tetanus.
Rat-bite fever things to know: So a mouse bit you, you have
taken all the preventive measures required and are now contemplating if you have rat
bite fever. Was the mouse infected? If not properly managed in the beginning stages,
rat bite fever or RBF can cause severe illnesses including liver problems, adrenal gland failure,
meningitis and more! Don’t worry we are going to tell you exactly what the symptoms are.
The symptoms usually kick in after 3 to 7 days of being bit or coming in contact with
the infectious bacteria. However, every person reacts differently to this, so the symptoms may
even take as long as 3 weeks to develop. Some visible symptoms may appear in the
form of rashes or tiny flattened red bumps on your hands and legs. You will also experience
swelling in one or more of the joints, which are painful when you touch them.
Severe vomiting and sore throat are also indicative of a rapidly
increasing bacterial infection in your body. Do you think your immunity has lost it’s gusto?
Is it affecting your over-all well being? Learn more about 7 ways your immune system
affects your mind and body. Now let's get back to what to do if you are bitten by a mouse.
How to get rid of mice at home: Getting bit by a mouse could mean that
your house may need some intense cleaning and clutter reduction. Mice thrive in closed spaces
and multiply like there is no tomorrow- before you know it you are housing a horde of mice. They will
not only destroy your stuff but will also transfer bacteria and infections to you and your family.
The first time you spot a mouse running around, you will have to act quickly. Here are some ways
to eliminate mice for good: 1. Block all the entry ways:
Think like a mouse and block all the entry ways - like a broken part of the wall or some old pipes.
Recognize these spots and seal them shut with the help of steel wool and caulk. Even if it’s just a
tiny hole make sure it's sealed. 2. Use humane mouse traps:
This is one of the classic ways of stopping mice infestation in your home.
People generally underestimate a mice infestation, but it is a serious issue. Setting a humane trap
will allow you to catch the mouse and then leave it in the wild without hurting them.
3. Declutter: Don’t get fooled into thinking that
sanitizing your home will drive the mice away. It may help to some extent but remember that rodents
are attracted to poor sanitation situations. Keep your floors clean, get rid of anything you may not
use and clear out unnecessary items. This is one of the main causes for a rat infestation.
4. Regular pruning: Branches and shrubs
tend to act like a highway for a mouse to enter your homes. Get rid of all the extra bushes,
branches and shrubs that have overgrown. Don’t put it off till tomorrow since this may be one
of the prime reasons the rodents are in your home. Have you ever been bitten by a mouse? Did you seek
medical attention? Comment below your experience - you never know who you may be helping!