What does a mouse bite look like on a person? - briefly
A mouse bite presents as a tiny puncture wound, typically 1–3 mm in diameter, often with two adjacent entry points and surrounding redness or mild swelling. The site may bleed slightly and can develop a small bruise or ulceration if infection occurs.
What does a mouse bite look like on a person? - in detail
A bite from a small rodent produces a puncture wound that is typically 2–4 mm in diameter. The edges are clean, reflecting the sharp, needle‑like incisors. Two to four parallel or slightly divergent marks may be visible, corresponding to the animal’s upper and lower teeth. The surrounding skin often shows erythema that ranges from pink to deep red, depending on the individual’s vascular response.
Swelling develops within minutes to an hour, creating a raised, firm halo around the puncture. The edema may be symmetric if the bite is shallow, or uneven when deeper tissue is involved. Bruising can appear after several hours, turning violet or brown as hemoglobin breaks down. In some cases, a small amount of serous fluid or blood may exude from the site, forming a thin crust.
Key visual indicators include:
- Puncture size: 2–4 mm, sometimes larger if the animal clenches its jaws.
- Tooth pattern: parallel or slightly divergent lines, usually two to four marks.
- Erythema: pink to intense red halo surrounding the entry point.
- Edema: firm swelling that may extend several centimeters from the bite.
- Ecchymosis: bruise formation 4–24 hours after injury, darkening over time.
- Discharge: clear or sanguineous fluid, occasional pus if infection sets in.
The wound’s appearance evolves. Within 24 hours, the skin may become taut and glossy, and the surrounding area may feel warm. By the third day, if bacterial contamination occurs, the margin can become raised, yellow‑white, and foul‑smelling, indicating possible infection. Persistent redness, increasing pain, or spreading swelling warrants medical evaluation for antibiotic therapy and tetanus prophylaxis.