Young boy falls prey to gecko – a rare case of animal bite
Background: Dog and cat bites are the most common animal bites in humans. Lizard bites are rare and can cause significant morbidity. There are over 3000 species of lizards, but only two are venomous and medically significant. Larger lizards have been reported to bite humans, but no cases have been d...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | en |
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Kerman University of Medical Sciences
2025
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/44603/1/FULL%20TEXT.pdf https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/44603/ https://doi.org/10.34172/jkmu.3663 |
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| Summary: | Background: Dog and cat bites are the most common animal bites in humans. Lizard bites are rare and can cause significant morbidity. There are over 3000 species of lizards, but only two are venomous and medically significant. Larger lizards have been reported to bite humans, but no cases have been documented of smaller geckos doing this. This case report aims to raise awareness of the potential threat that smaller lizards pose, especially to children. Case Report: A 2-year-old child was bitten on the left ear by a gecko, resulting in multiple lacerations. After primary assessment and stabilization, the wound was irrigated and dressed with a Bat’s ear dressing. Intravenous antibiotics were administered, and the wound was sutured five days later. The child was discharged with a one-week course of oral antibiotics. Discussion: Lizard bites can cause significant morbidity, especially in children. While geckos are not poisonous, they can defend themselves with their teeth and cause harm to humans. The Gila monster and Mexican beaded lizard are the only venomous species. Management of lizard bites is similar to other animal bites, and wound irrigation is crucial. Antibiotic prophylaxis should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Delayed primary closure may be an option for wound management. Conclusions: This case report highlights the need for awareness and appropriate management of lizard bites. Keywords: Ear, Trauma, Pediatric, Lizard, Animal, Bite |
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