If you’ve had an unpleasant encounter with a possum lurking around your home, you may be wondering what to expect if they decide to bite. Possum bites can be dangerous, so it’s important to know how to recognize them and get proper treatment.
If you’re short on time, here’s the key information about possum bites: They usually look like small puncture wounds, likely with some redness, swelling, and bruising around them. The bite may bleed some initially. Pain, infection, numbness, or tingling could develop over the next few hours or days.
Appearance of Possum Bites
Small Punctures and Lacerations
Possums have very sharp teeth that can cause minor to moderate wounds. When they bite, their teeth typically leave small puncture marks or tiny lacerations in the skin (1-10 mm across). These bite marks may sometimes be deeper than they first appear if the teeth penetrate deeply.
Possum bites usually occur on the extremities, such as the fingers, hands, arms, toes, and feet. This is because people often try to pick possums up by hand and get bitten. However, bites can occur on other body parts as well if a possum feels threatened.
The wound from a possum bite may continue to lightly bleed for 5-10 minutes after the initial bite. This helps flush out bacteria from the injured site. Applying direct pressure with a clean bandage can stop the bleeding.
Bruising and Inflammation
In addition to punctures and lacerations, possum bites also often cause bruising and inflammation around the bite. This develops during the hours and days after the bite as blood and fluid pools under the skin.
The size of the bruised area varies depending on the location of the bite, but it can measure several centimeters across. Over time, the bruise tends to spread outward from the bite site.
Inflammation manifests as redness, warmth, swelling, and soreness around the bite. This inflammatory response helps fight infection, but also causes discomfort. The swelling can persist for over a week before fully resolving.
Severe inflammation may benefit from anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) under medical supervision. Topical hydrocortisone cream can also help reduce swelling and redness.
Associated Symptoms
Pain and Bleeding
A possum bite can be quite painful due to their sharp teeth and strong jaw muscles. The initial bite will likely cause a stinging or burning sensation. This will often progress into a throbbing pain that can last for several hours or even days afterwards.
The severity of the pain depends on how deep and forceful the bite is.
In addition to pain, possum bites usually cause bleeding. Their needle-like incisors can puncture the skin and damage blood vessels, leading to oozing of blood from the wound. The bleeding may be light or heavy depending on the location of the bite and tissues involved.
Facial bites often bleed more profusely than bites on the extremities.
Infection Risk
Due to their saliva containing a diverse microbial community, possum bites carry a high risk of infection. Bacteria such as Pasteurella multocida, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Capnocytophaga can be transmitted through bites.
Without proper wound care and antibiotics, these bacteria can multiply and cause tissue damage or sepsis.
Common signs of an infected possum bite include increasing pain, swelling, redness, warmth around the bite, pus draining from the wound, and fever. Seeking prompt medical care is crucial to treat infection before it spreads deeper into tissues or enters the bloodstream.
Numbness and Tingling
In some cases, a possum bite can injure nerves and cause numbness or tingling around the bite area. This neuropathy is often transient, but on rare occasions it may persist if a nerve is severely damaged.
The face is especially susceptible since possums commonly bite the nose, lips, cheeks, and ears where many sensory nerves are located.
Possum saliva contains a toxin that is hypothesized to contribute to numbness. The toxin may disrupt nerve conduction and signaling. However, more research is needed to fully understand this toxin and its neurological effects.
Treatment focuses on cleaning the wound to remove saliva and providing supportive care as sensation returns.
When to Seek Medical Care
A possum bite should always be taken seriously, as their sharp teeth and claws can transmit harmful bacteria that can cause infection. If you experience a bite, there are some clear signs that indicate you should seek medical attention right away.
Signs of Infection
The most common signs of infection from a possum bite include:
- Redness, swelling, warmth, and tenderness around the wound
- Pus or other discharge from the bite
- Fever and chills
- Red streaks leading from the wound
These symptoms typically develop within 24-48 hours after the bite. The sooner treatment begins, the less likely complications will develop. Left untreated, the infection can spread to the blood, tissues, bones, and joints.
Other Concerning Symptoms
You should also seek prompt medical care if you experience:
- Difficulty moving the bite area or loss of function
- Nausea, dizziness, weakness, or generally feeling ill
- Numbness or tingling around the bite or to other areas
These can indicate the possum’s bacteria has started attacking nerves or that toxicity is developing, which needs medication. Seek emergency treatment if symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening.
High Risk Individuals
Certain people may be at increased risk of complications and are advised to see a doctor after any possum bite, including:
- Young children and elderly individuals
- Those with weakened immune systems
- People with chronic medical conditions like diabetes or cancer
- Individuals taking immunosuppressant medications
For these high risk groups, early assessment and preventative antibiotics can help avoid dangerous infection progression.
| Within 24 hours | Seek medical care if any signs of infection develop |
| 48-72 hours | Follow up with a doctor even if symptoms seem mild or have improved, as the infection can come back or progress silently |
| After 72 hours | Continue monitoring the bite area for 1-2 weeks for any new redness, pain, drainage, or other concern |
As possums carry numerous strains of bacteria, viruses, and parasites communicable to humans, it is always smart to have any bite properly checked. Getting appropriate medical attention aids hugely in healing safely and avoiding lasting complications from these crafty backyard mammals!
Treating Possum Bites at Home
Cleaning The Wound
If you have been bitten by a possum, the first thing to do is thoroughly clean and disinfect the wound. Possums can transmit diseases through their saliva, so it’s crucial to flush out the bacteria.
Wash the bite with warm, soapy water. Use an antibacterial soap if possible. Gently clean around the wound and let the water flow over the bite for 5-10 minutes. This will help remove dirt, debris, and saliva.
After washing, apply an antibiotic ointment like Polysporin to the bite. This will keep the wound moist and prevent infection. Cover with a sterile bandage and change the dressing at least once a day.
It’s also a good idea to apply an ice pack wrapped in cloth to the bite area for 10-15 minutes to reduce inflammation and swelling. Just be sure not to apply ice directly as it could damage skin tissue.
Using Antibiotics
Possums can transmit bacterial infections through their bites, so taking antibiotics may be necessary. Some common antibiotics used to treat infected animal bites include:
- Amoxicillin
- Doxycycline
- Clindamycin
See your doctor as soon as possible after a possum bite for professional treatment. They can determine if antibiotics are needed based on the severity of the wound, your medical history, and risk for infection.
Typically a 7-10 day course is prescribed. Be sure to finish all antibiotics as directed, even if the bite looks healed. Stopping too soon can allow bacteria to become resistant.
Call your doctor promptly if you experience worsened redness, swelling, pus, warmth around the bite, fever, or body aches after starting antibiotics. This may indicate a secondary infection.
Managing Pain and Swelling
Possum bites can be quite painful. The wound may throb, ache, or feel tender to the touch. There are several remedies you can try at home to find relief:
- Over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or an NSAID like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help reduce discomfort.
- Apply an ice pack wrapped in cloth to the bite for 10-15 minutes several times a day. This helps minimize swelling.
- Elevate the bitten area above heart level when possible to improve drainage.
- Use an elastic compression bandage to provide gentle support and restrict swelling.
- Try a soothing epsom salt bath to reduce inflammation.
Pain and swelling should gradually improve within 5-10 days. See your doctor if symptoms persist or suddenly worsen. This could require further treatment for infection.
With proper first aid and medical care, possum bites can heal well. But it’s important to act quickly to prevent complications like cellulitis or rabies. Always contact your doctor after any wild animal bite for evaluation and monitoring.
Preventing Possum Bites
Securing Food Sources
Possums, also known as opossums, are opportunistic feeders attracted to easily accessible human food waste. To deter possums from frequenting your property, be sure to seal all trash receptacles and eliminate any pet food left outdoors overnight.
The best prevention against pesky possums is removing what draws them near homes in the first place – their next tasty snack!
Excluding Possums
Excluding possums from your home or garage can prevent unwanted encounters. Close any openings larger than 2 inches across, as possums can fit their bodies into surprisingly small spaces. You may choose to install mesh screens, sheet metal, or concrete barriers across exposed vents or holes.
This seals off potential access points into cozy indoor areas possums may try to enter, especially during cold weather months. An excluded possum will eventually wander off in search of a more hospitable habitat.
Avoid Startling Possums
When startled, even shy possums can bite in self defense if they feel cornered or threatened. Therefore, it’s wise not to deliberately approach wild opossums spotted near your home. Safely provide them an escape route instead of boxing them in should they wander dangerously close to pets or children.
Generally leaving possums alone allows them to go along their way without incident. Their intimidating hisses and teeth baring when scared are typically just bluffing to protect themselves or their young.
For more information, check out this informative wildlife control website on understanding possum behaviors and preventing conflicts in suburban areas.
Conclusion
In summary, possum bites typically resemble small puncture wounds, sometimes with laceration marks, bruising, redness and swelling. They can be quite painful and carry risk of bacterial infection. Prompt medical care is recommended, especially if signs of infection develop.
To help avoid possum bites, eliminate food sources, seal possible entries, and take care not to startle these nocturnal creatures.
