Biting

Treatment Overview

Usually a bite from a child is not harmful, and medical care is not needed. Even bites that pierce the skin and bleed are usually minor injuries and need only basic home care. But these types of bites are prone to infection and should be watched closely, especially if the person who was bitten has an immune system problem.

See a doctor if:

• You or your child has a bite that pierced the skin and signs of infection arise.
• You or your child is at high risk for problems from an infection.

The doctor will examine the bite and ask questions about immunizations and how and when the bite occurred. For more information about biting that causes injury, see the topic Animal and Human Bites.

In most cases, a doctor can help when your child has problems with biting others. Biting that injures someone or biting that continues after age 3 are signals that a child needs help controlling strong emotions. A doctor can assist parents and children with techniques that help a child express his or her feelings more appropriately. For example, your doctor can direct you to a class on parenting or on normal growth and development of children. These programs and other measures can help you understand why your child bites and how you can best respond.

Parents may need additional help if they are concerned about losing control over their actions when they are disciplining their child for biting. Anger management courses or counseling can help parents who feel overwhelmed in this way.

Not all incidents of biting can be prevented. But biting can be reduced by looking for things in your child's life that may lead to this behavior. Usually these relate to your child's age.

• Give babies who may be teething soft toys or teething rings specifically designed to safely ease this discomfort. Biting or chewing on a clean, frozen washcloth can also help. For more information, see the topic Teething.
• Tell children age 8 to 14 months that biting hurts other people. Exaggerate the pain if your child bites you, and say, "No! We do not bite!" or something similar.
• Help children age 15 to 36 months use words to express their feelings. Also, learn to recognize the signs that your child is about to bite. You may be able to stop biting before it happens by distracting or redirecting your child. Don't try to reason with young children or have lengthy discussions about biting. Use simple and direct language.

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Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH	Last Updated: April 17, 2008
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
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