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Snake Bite
Medical Questions » Snake Bite
| Name: Snake Bite |
| Also known as: |
| Bite from a snake. More serious in a child than an adult because the proportion of venom relative to body size is greater. |
Causes of Snake Bite
Snakes usually retreat from humans intruding into their habitat unless surprised or cornered. Most non-venomous snakes do not bite (the carpet python is an exception). |
Symptoms of Snake Bite
Nausea, vomiting, headache, giddiness, double vision, drowsiness, tightening in the chest, diarrhoea, sweating, and difficulty in breathing mayoccur from 15 minutes to two hours after the bite. May be reddening, swelling,
bruising or persistent bleeding at the site of the bite. |
Tests for Snake Bite
The responsible snake can be identified by taking swabs from around the bite site. Specific blood and other tests will be used to monitor a patient' s progress in hospital. |
Treatment for Snake Bite
First aid: 1. keep the victim calm and move them as little as possible to prevent spread of poison. 2. apply pressure directly to the bite. 3. if the bite is on a limb, apply pressure immobilization by bandaging the limb firmly starting at the bitten area and working to the fingers or toes, then back up the limb to the armpit or groin. 4. immobilize the limb with a splint (eg. a small branch) or by bandaging it to the other limb. 5. check the victim' s breathing and pulse regularly, and give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if breathing stops, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the pulse stops. 6. get medical assistance as soon as possible. Antivenins are available for all poisonous snake bites.
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Complications of Snake Bite of its treatment
Ulceration and permanent damage to tissue around site of bite. |
Likely Outcome of Snake Bite
In developed countries with good health care, only 2% of bites from potentially deadly snakes are now fatal. |
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