Do rats bite people? After being bitten, clean and disinfect the wound promptly

Rats do bite people. A rat's incisors grow continuously throughout its life, so it needs to gnaw frequently to wear them down. When rats are startled, cornered, or feel that their young are threatened, they will use their teeth to defend themselves. When people catch rats with their bare hands, rummage through piles of clutter, or accidentally step on a rat nest, the fingers, toes, and other parts of the body are most likely to be bitten.

Rat bites are usually small and often appear as two symmetrical small hole-like tooth marks, sometimes accompanied by scratches. Although the wound is not large, the mouths of rodents may carry a variety of bacteria. If it is not treated promptly, redness, swelling, pain, and even infection may occur locally. Therefore, no matter how big or small the wound is, it should be taken seriously.

After being bitten by a rat, immediately rinse the wound repeatedly with running water and soap, then disinfect it with disinfectants such as iodophor, and if necessary, simply bandage it with clean gauze. If the wound is deep, the bleeding will not stop, or fever or worsening redness and swelling occurs afterward, go to the hospital as soon as possible so a doctor can determine whether further treatment is needed.

Daily prevention is more important than treatment after the fact. When signs of rat activity are found in the home, do not catch them with bare hands; you can use tools such as rat cages and glue traps. Wear gloves and a mask when handling dead rats or cleaning up rat droppings. At the same time, store grain and garbage properly, and promptly seal off passages such as wall corners and door gaps to reduce the chances of rats entering the home. Only in this way can the risk of being bitten be fundamentally reduced.