Control the bleeding and clean the wound with soap and warm water. Clean inside the wound, being sure to rinse away all the soap, or it will cause irritation later.
Cover the wound with a clean, dry dressing. You can put antibiotic ointment on the wound before covering. Rat bites often lead to infection. If the injury is on a finger, remove all rings from the injured finger before it swells. Watch for these signs of infection:
Redness
Swelling
Heat
Weeping pus
Always consult your doctor. You may need a tetanus immunization or you may need stitches.
Wounds on the face or hands should always be evaluated by a physician because of the concern for scarring or loss of function.
If you are not the victim, practice universal precautions and wear personal protective equipment if available.
Care should always be taken to contain any rodent after a bite to determine if the animal has an infection.