It is common to see lizards on the walls or ceiling of the house. Seeing this, a question comes to the mind of many people that if a lizard bites, can poison spread in the body? The common house gecko found around homes in India is generally not considered a poisonous lizard. Its bite does not carry the usual risk of the poison spreading in the body like snake poison.
Still, the wound caused by a lizard bite should not be ignored. Any bite other than a skin injury can carry the risk of infection. Therefore, it is important to clean the wound properly.
Do house lizards have poison?
Common small lizards seen in homes in India are generally not poisonous to humans. They mainly eat insects and generally maintain distance from humans. Therefore, their biting a human is also not a very common incident.
However, there are some species of lizards in the world which contain poison. Gila monster and Mexican beaded lizard are examples. These should be considered different from normal domestic lizards.
What is the first thing to do if a lizard bites you?
If there is a wound on the skin due to lizard bite, then first of all wash the affected area thoroughly with clean running water and soap. This helps in removing the dirt and microorganisms present on the surface of the wound.
If bleeding occurs, try to stop the bleeding by applying gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze. Keep the wound clean and avoid touching it repeatedly.
It is better to avoid applying any home remedy, chemical or unrecommended medicine directly on the wound.
Contact a doctor in these symptoms
Even if the wound is small, it is important to keep an eye on its condition. Deep wound, continuous bleeding, increasing swelling, severe pain, redness or warmth of the affected area can be signs of concern.
Apart from this, pus coming out from the wound, fever or increasing swelling around it can indicate infection. If such symptoms appear, a doctor should be examined.
Does a lizard bite cause rabies?
Rabies is mainly spread through bites or contact with the saliva of infected mammalian animals. The common house lizard is not considered a common source of rabies.
Still, if the skin has been injured by an animal bite, it is important to clean the wound thoroughly. If it is not clear which organism has bitten or the wound is serious, it is advisable to seek medical advice.
Avoid handling lizards with your hands
If you see a lizard in the house, do not try to catch it with your hands or drive it away directly. If she feels threatened, she can bite in defence. Taking him out from a safe distance is a better option.
To reduce the presence of lizards in the house, control insects, do not leave food items open and keep the house regularly cleaned. It can also be helpful to close the openings around windows and doors where lizards enter.
Overall, bites from the common house lizard are not the same as bites from poisonous animals, but it is important to clean and monitor any wounds caused by bites.
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