Treating bites/swelling info please!!?

I was bitten by my pet rat last night at around 230 am. It is a deep wound that has tissue? from the inside coming out of it. I cleaned it 2 times with antibacterial soap at 230 am and then applied a band aid. It swelled up immediately after the bite and felt warm. It still feels like this and it's 5 hours later. (its now 730)

The area around it is very sore and still swollen. Not too much on the red side at all except for the small amount of blood coming out this morning and the tissue which is still sticking out. the area around it doesn't seem red.
This morning at 630 am i washed it again with the soap and re wrapped it (not too tightly though)

My biggest concern is nerve damage due to swelling for a long period of time and I am trying to figure out a way to reduce the swelling. I started ice this morning and will continue this throughout the day.

If I take advil (pain killer) this should help with the pain but will it do anything for the swelling?

What are some ways to stop the swelling.

I am keeping an eye out for weird red lines coming from around the wound as well as fever and other such symptoms. if it starts to change color or any of those symptoms occur i will go to the er (i dont have a dr where i am that i know of)

I am going to head down to the store to ask the opinion of the pharmacy about what i should do with it at around 430 this afternoon and probably get some antibiotic cream.

My question(s) are, what will help reduce/stop the swelling?

Is it normal to have swelling after a cut that bad?

How long is too long for swelling and when do i have to worry about nerve damage?

I was bitten by the same pet rat 3 days ago and i was able to get that wound to heal nicely even though that was deep. I haven't been showing any signs of sickness from that one so i think i will be ok as far as disease is concerned (pet domesticated rats rarely cause problems with disease from bites)


some info please

some photos of right after

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/8695/...

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/5783/...

go to the er now. You may need a shot or stitches or bonding glue. If the spot is hot its infected.

Warmness indicates infection of some description, you did the right thing with your antibiotic soap and bandaids to stop more infection getting in but now you need to get to an ER so they can check for infection, stop the infection spreading and give you any stitches you need.

it鈥檚 not normal that your rat is biting you several times, it might be under stress, sick or something like that, I use to have a hamster and never had a bit problem with him.
Well, I would recommend going to a doctor so it doesn鈥檛 get infected鈥?in the mid time, I truly recommend a natural oil that is antiseptic and I always have it handy, is a multi-purpose oil named
tea tree with rosaline, it's a natural product (no chemicals) and works almost miraculously!

Here鈥檚 a little description of this product in case you are interested:
They have been known to: Act as a powerful antiseptic. Provide an excellent treatment for fungus. Heal and disinfect wounds, skin irritations, and any other types of skin wounds. Soothe burns and prevent infection. Act as an excellent analgesic. Have no known side effects.

http://wellbeing.swissjust-usa.com/Produ...

You are on track. Ice water. Hold the swelled area in 50's water for 10 minute intervals. Ibuprofen is the best pain reliever for swelling. Many times a dr will prescribe twice the bottle dosage for short intervals. Its best to put ice on right away so swelling doesn't occur.