Serious bites to the face, hands, or genitals can be especially dangerous. Also, a child who bites another child who has hepatitis B may be exposed to the virus if blood from the bitten child enters the biter’s mouth. The risk of transmitting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through a bite in the day care centre, even when the skin is broken, is extremely unlikely. They're in the 2-3 age room and the biter is one of the youngest aparently. If the skin is broken, wash — but don't scrub — the wound with mild soap and running water for three to five minutes, then cover it with a clean bandage. The vast majority of daycare centers have well-established plans for when biting occurs. But if your son's skin is broken in an way, there is a potential health issue that school administrators should take seriously. No broken skin. No parent wants to hear that their child has been bitten while in child care (or that their child has bitten a playmate). Yet she's never had any problems with other kids but this girl has bitten other children before! I know it's normal at this age and it's no one's fault. If that happens, a child who is not vaccinated against hepatitis B should be treated by a doctor. We are also particularly worried because our child has eczema and is at higher risk for skin infections. If your baby has been bitten and the skin isn't broken, simply wash the area with mild soap and water. Treating a child with anti-HIV drugs is not recommended. I am wondering what I should expect from the daycare center. I received a call from daycare today that my son was bitten on the arm by a classmate and skin was broken. Is it advisable to take her to a doctor to have it looked at? It seems to look clean and is not discoloured. Biting in child care: What are the risks? The staff have stated that our child is not the only one being bitten- other children are apparently being bitten at the same frequency. What I'm most upset about is that we asked daycare about it today and they didn't know of anything happening. In all cases where the bite has broken the skin the management of the wound should include the following: Apply first aid: The vast majority of bites don't cause a health issue or infection. There’s a 15 month old baby in my son’s room at daycare who’s been biting. 3. However, biting is normal behavior for young children and is a common problem. I know this is normal and common with kids their age. to control the bleeding). If your toddler has been bitten and the skin isn't broken, simply wash the area with mild soap and water. Serious bites to the face, hands, or genitals can be especially dangerous. : my son’s classmate bit him. They cleaned it and put a bandage over it, but my mind keeps telling me that I should take him to the doctor to … Funny you should post this! This is the first time our child has been bitten, so I don't think lack of supervision or teachers not being around is the issue. It happened. Teacher apologized several times. If a child, who has been through steps 1 and/or 2, goes 3 weeks (15 business days) without Part 3 Management in the school or other child care setting Initial Wound Care If the bite is particularly severe, the biter may require urgent first aid treatment (e.g. A child with hepatitis B who bites another child and breaks the skin may expose the bitten child to hepatitis B infection. I'm pretty sure DD got bitten for the first time ever yesterday. In the past 6 days, he has bitten my child four times, bitten at least one other baby twice (that I know of), and bitten his twin sister repeatedly. My daughter was bitten by another girl in daycare. These aren't little bites either, we're talking broken skin and bruising that lasts WEEKS. Bitten at daycare :-(: My sweet little boy was bitten on the hand today at daycare. The bite did break the skin, and there is a bit of bruising of course. #mummyguilt - BabyCenter Australia Bitten at daycare. I don’t know who bit him, he just came home with a 1x1 inch teeth mark on his chest; it was red, raised, and had a rough spot like it broke some skin. This must be very frustrating, and unfortunately, it's extremely common (especially with young toddlers in day care). WTF? Only a bite that breaks the skin can pass hepatitis B. Is the response of the staff normal? If a child inflicts 3 bites in a one week period (5 weekdays) in which the skin of another child or staff member is broken or bruised or the bite leaves a significant mark, a conference will be held with the parents to discuss the child’s behavior and how the behavior may be modified. We of course cleaned and disinfected it. Bites usually occur to the arms or face and rarely require medical attention, as they most often do not break the skin barrier. No skin broken but a deep purple bite shaped bruise. Am I being silly and overreacting? When I pushed up her sleeves to wash her hands at home, she had a red, bite-mark looking bruise on her forearm! I still feel like shit for putting my son in harm's way, so to speak. When the teacher told me, I said "oh, ok" and looked at the bite. Studies estimate as many as half of children in daycare centers will be bitten, with toddlers being most common. The good news is that most bites are harmless and don’t break the skin. If a child once again inflicts 3 bites in a one week period (5 weekdays) in which the skin of another child or staff member is broken or bruised or the bite leaves a significant mark, the parents will be asked to make other day care arrangements.