Biting

Treatment Overview

Usually a bite from a child is not harmful, and medical care is not needed. Even bites that pierce the skin and bleed are usually minor injuries and need only basic home care. However, these types of bites are prone to infection and should be watched closely, especially if the person who was bitten has an immune system problem.

A health professional should evaluate a bite that pierces the skin when signs of an infection develop or when the person is at high risk for complications from an infection. For more information about biting that causes injury, see the topic Animal and Human Bites.

In most cases, a health professional can help when your child has problems with biting others. Biting that injures someone or biting that continues after age 3 are signals that a child needs help controlling strong emotions. A health professional can assist parents and children with techniques that help a child express his or her feelings more appropriately. For example, your health professional can direct you to classes on parenting or on normal growth and development of children. These programs and other measures can help you understand why your child bites and how you can best respond.

Parents who are concerned that they may lose control over their actions when disciplining their child for biting may need additional help. Anger management courses or counselling can help parents who feel overwhelmed in this way.

Not all incidents of biting can be prevented. However, biting can be reduced by looking for factors in your child's life that may lead to this behaviour. Usually, these factors relate to your child's age.

• Give babies who may be teething soft toys or teething rings specifically designed to safely ease this discomfort. Biting or chewing on a clean, frozen face cloth can also help. For more information, see the topic Teething.
• Convey to children age 8 to 14 months that biting hurts other people. Exaggerate the pain if your child bites you and say, "No! We do not bite!" or something similar.
• Help children age 15 to 36 months use words to express their feelings. Also, learn to recognize the signs that your child is about to bite. You may be able to stop biting before it happens by distracting or redirecting your child. Don't try to reason with young children or have lengthy discussions about biting. Use simple and direct language.

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Author:	Amy Fackler, MA Carrie Henley	Last Updated: June 26, 2006
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
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