Question 1

do i need a tetanus shot for a small dog bite? skin is broken but not punctured.

Accepted Answer

Your call: Any break in the skin can allow germs &amp;  tetanus spores to enter. Effective cleaning &amp; sanitizing may avoid both. If it has been over10 yrs since your last tetanus booster this would be an opportunity to get one &amp; get now + 10 yrs worth of protection. Monitor the site for redness &amp; swelling. If infection gets into deep spaces of the hands it can eventually lead to surgery &amp; hospital based care.

Question 2

do i need a tetanus shot for a small dog bite? skin is broken but not punctured. a bit of blood but not flowing out (a drop or two that slowly builds up)

Accepted Answer

Your call: Any break in the skin can allow germs &amp;  tetanus spores to enter. Effective cleaning &amp; sanitizing may avoid both. If it has been over10 yrs since your last tetanus booster this would be an opportunity to get one &amp; get now + 10 yrs worth of protection. Monitor the site for redness &amp; swelling. If infection gets into deep spaces of the hands it can eventually lead to surgery &amp; hospital based care.

Question 3

i have a red, bump (like a mosquito bite) skin cancer on my shin.  are all bumpy/elevated skin cancers the deadly melanoma type, or not necessarily?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily: There are 3 types of skin Cancers: The most common is called a Basal cell carcinoma(this is what you are most likely to have). Melanoma is less common and it usually has a brown or black color to it. But the best way to find out what you have is to go see your doctor(PCP). A dermatologist may be most appropriate if you can get an appointment soon(in 2 weeks or less).

Question 4

when chiggers bite your skin do they stay in your skin?

Accepted Answer

Until first scratch: The missouri dept. Of conservation says chiggers are baby mites that can only bite through areas of thinner, tender skin (so chiggers like women & children). Chiggers bite to inject saliva to dissolve flesh and eat it up. They do not suck blood nor burrow into the skin. Once scratched, the chigger falls off easily, but the site swells, and itches a lot. A scrubby, soapy bath washes away chiggers.

Question 5

i bite the skin around my nails. i know i have to break the habit, but in the meantime is there anything i can put on the skin to ease the pain?

Accepted Answer

Lubricate: Carry vaseline or aquaphor. Rub in a tiny amount every hour or more.   Avoid use of neosporin, bacitracin, triple antibiotic, etc. These are less than useless. They are common sensitizers: they cause allergic reactions without any chance of any benefit.

Question 6

i used to bite the skin around my fingers and the skin looks damaged. it has no pain and the skin hasnt healed for almost a year now. is it something to worry about? how can i heal the skin?

Accepted Answer

Onychophagia: Or the nail biting disease has psychological roots and once the behavior is addressed nails return to normal in few weeks to months. Habit reversal therapies as well as the use of nail polish with bitter taste and otherwise not harmful to the body have been used. If skin and nail changes persist past few months after stopping nail biting a dermatology eval will be recommended.

Question 7

what does it mean if you bite the skin off your lip a lot?

Accepted Answer

Nervous habit: This sounds like a nervous habit.  Can you replace the biting with chewing gum?  Habit replacement is the best way to resolve one habit.  Dry lips may play into this.  Use a lip balm to keep them soft.

Question 8

why do i constantly bite the skin off my lip and not notice?  how can i stop?

Accepted Answer

Probably: A way to release stress. Talk to a therapist whom can help you identify and deal with those conscious or unconscious triggers. Sometimes medications may help.

Question 9

why does my son bite the skin off his fingertips and toes? he bites pieces of skin of his two big toes and his fingertips

Accepted Answer

Stop him: You need to stop this habit before he causes an infection.

Question 10

hello i've noticed  on the bottom of my tongue i have some dangling  bites of skin  this is the first i've noticed can you help ?

Accepted Answer

Tissue tags.: They sound like they are tissue tags which are harmless unless you find they are constantly irritated. Since i cannot see them to verify my suspicion, i would recommend you have a dentist or physician examine them to find out what they really are.

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Doctor answers about:

Bites skin

A member asked:

Do i need a tetanus shot for a small dog bite? skin is broken but not punctured.

A member asked:

Do i need a tetanus shot for a small dog bite? skin is broken but not punctured. a bit of blood but not flowing out (a drop or two that slowly builds up)

A member asked:

I have a red, bump (like a mosquito bite) skin cancer on my shin. are all bumpy/elevated skin cancers the deadly melanoma type, or not necessarily?

A member asked:

When chiggers bite your skin do they stay in your skin?

A member asked:

I bite the skin around my nails. i know i have to break the habit, but in the meantime is there anything i can put on the skin to ease the pain?

A member asked:

I used to bite the skin around my fingers and the skin looks damaged. it has no pain and the skin hasnt healed for almost a year now. is it something to worry about? how can i heal the skin?

A member asked:

What does it mean if you bite the skin off your lip a lot?

A member asked:

Why do i constantly bite the skin off my lip and not notice? how can i stop?

A member asked:

Why does my son bite the skin off his fingertips and toes? he bites pieces of skin of his two big toes and his fingertips

A member asked:

Hello i've noticed on the bottom of my tongue i have some dangling bites of skin this is the first i've noticed can you help ?

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