Why Is Sucking on a Wound a Bad Idea?

It is second nature for some people to suck on a minor cut, scrape or scratch. And though we may not have the slightest idea why this is instinctual, we do it for one reason: We want to be healed.

Animal Instinct

• Animal instincts

  The idea of "licking one's wounds" comes from watching animals licking their wounds after surviving an attack. As civilized humans, however, we sometimes have better options for meeting our needs.

Bacteria

• Bacteria

  The human mouth contains bacteria that are harmless in the mouth but could infect a wound. When you put your mouth on a wound, you can usher all kinds of bacteria into your body.

Improper Healing

• Although saliva contains nitric oxide, lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase, which are all effective in protecting cuts and scrapes from bacteria, it can hinder the body from healing properly and place a person's life at risk.

Improper Behavior

• Depending on the setting, licking your wound may be considered rude and make others feel uncomfortable, especially if you are licking someone else's wound.

Fatal Infection

• If a person suffering from an existing health condition such as diabetes sucks on a wound, he could infect himself and have to have a limb amputated.