Snakebite

General Information on Snakebite

A snakebite is a bite from a venomous snake, such as from a copperhead, rattlesnake, cobra, etc. Snake bites usually occur on the leg lower leg, ankles, or feet. However, if a bite occurs on the head or upper body, the condition becomes substantially more serious. If you have been bitten by a snake, and are unsure of the kind, call your 911 for immediate medical assistance.

Symptoms of Snakebite

Symptoms vary depending on the type of snake, location of the bite, and depth of the wound inflicted. If the bite was caused by a coral snake, wounds will appear as multiple fang marks and small cuts. In addition, symptoms will not appear for 3 to 4 hours. If the bite is from any other venomous snake, the symptoms will appear almost immediately, and the wound will appear as a single or double puncture from one or two fangs. Symptoms generally include:

Severe pain and swelling around the bite
Skin around the bite might appear bruised or swollen
Bleeding spot beneath the skin dispersed throughout the entire body
Tingling or numbness around mouth, hands, and feet
Fever
Profuse sweating
Low blood pressure
Severe shock (sometimes life-threatening)
Breathing difficulties
Headache
Dizziness
Blurred or impaired vision
Seizures
Coma

Treatments For Snakebite

Before a patient has reached the hospital, it is important for a snakebite victim to keep the wound below the waist, in order to slow the progress of the venom through the blood stream. In addition, wrapping a tight tourniquet above the wound can also serve to slow the spread of the venom through the blood. Once at the hospital, treatment will usually include breathing support, the administration of anti-venom (the anecdote), and other treatments directed to relieve symptoms and prevent further complications. In most cases, the infected tissues will need to be surgically removed and replaced with skin grafts a few days after the initial bite. If you have been bitten by a snake and believe it to be venomous, or are unsure, call 911 emergency immediately for medical assistance.

Personal Experience

Snakebite - personal experiences