Snake Bite

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A snake bite is a wound that you get from being bitten by a poisonous snake. Poisonous snakes in the United States include coral snakes and pit vipers such as rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and copperheads. They inject venom (poison) when they bite that can damage your muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and other tissues. When venom is released during a bite, it enters your tissues and spreads to other body parts. Snakes often bite when they are stepped on or picked up. Snake bites are more common from April to September when snakes are more active and people spend more time outdoors. When you are bitten, see a caregiver as soon as possible.
  
  
• Signs and symptoms of a snake bite may appear a few minutes to hours after the bite. You may have pain, swelling, redness, or numbness (no feeling) in the area of the bite. Later as the venom spreads, you may throw up, have a fever or seizures (convulsions), stomach pains, or bleeding. Your caregiver will try to tell what type of snake bit you and he may do blood tests. The main treatment for a poisonous snake bite is anti-venom medicine and a tetanus shot. You may also need antibiotics for your wound or surgery to remove the damaged tissues from it. Early diagnosis and treatment may help prevent your wound from getting worse or you becoming more sick.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by bacteria.
  
  
• Pain medicine: You may need medicine to take away or decrease pain.
  
  
  • Learn how to take your medicine. Ask what medicine and how much you should take. Be sure you know how, when, and how often to take it.
    
    
  • Do not wait until the pain is severe before you take your medicine. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease.
    
    
  • Pain medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling someone when you get out of bed or if you need help.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Physical therapy:

You may need to see a physical therapist to teach you special exercises. These exercises help improve movement and decrease pain. Physical therapy can also help improve strength and decrease your risk for loss of function.

First-aid for a snake bite:

• Stay calm, sit or lie down, and stay still. Avoid moving the part of your body where you were bitten. Too much movement may help spread the venom to other parts of your body.
  
  
• Remove items on your body near the bite to prevent problems if swelling happens. This includes tight-fitting clothing and jewelry items such as rings, watches, and arm and ankle bracelets.
  
  
• Keep the bitten area below the level of your heart. If the bite is on your arm or leg, immobilize the limb with a splint if possible.
  
  
• See a caregiver right away. Do not wait until you have symptoms before seeing a caregiver.
  
  
• Things you should not do:
  
  
  • Do not cut into the wound, or apply suction to try and remove the venom.
    
    
  • Do not use tourniquets, or apply heat, cold, or electric shock to the bite area.

Preventing a snake bite:

• Dress to protect yourself: Wear footwear and clothing to protect your feet and legs, such as shoes or boots, and long pants.
  
  
• Learn what poisonous snakes look like: Learn to recognize venomous snakes, especially if you spend much time outdoors. Learn to distinguish between similar-looking poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, such as coral snakes versus king snakes.
  
  
• Learn where snakes may be found: Know what snakes may be found where you are and where they may hide. Rattlesnakes rest in cool, shaded area during hot weather. Know when snakes are likely to be active and to come out. Stay away from places where snakes live. Do not put your hands or fingers into holes or places you cannot see.
  
  
• Leave snakes alone: Do not try to catch, frighten, or attack a snake if you find one. If you see a snake, back away from it and do not try to touch it. Do not pick up a snake that appears to be dead. Even dead snakes can still deliver venom through their fangs.
  
  
• Watch out for snakes: Use a flashlight or lamp when walking outside at night. Do not walk on areas where you cannot see the ground.

For more information:

Contact any of the following:

• 24-Hour Nationwide Poison Control Hotline
  National Capital Poison Center
  3201 New Mexico Avenue, Suite 310
  Washington , DC 20016
  Phone: 1- 800 - 222-1222
  Web Address: http://www.poison.org
  

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
  Leawood , KS 66211-2680
  Phone: 1- 913 - 906-6000
  Phone: 1- 800 - 274-2237
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  1600 Clifton Road
  Atlanta , GA 30333
  Phone: 1- 404 - 6393311
  Phone: 1- 800 - 3113435
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your wound gets larger or becomes more red and has pus.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your injury, medicine, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You feel dizzy, have a fever, start throwing up, or sweat more than usual.
  
  
• You have chest pain or trouble breathing, or your skin is red, swollen, or more painful.
  
  
• You have joint pains, problems moving the injured part, or get tender lumps in your groin or armpits.
  
  
• You have numbness (no feeling) or tingling in the area of the bite.
  
  
• You have tightness in your throat, wheezing when breathing, swollen tongue, or rashes over your body.
  
  
• You start passing dark urine or less urine than is usual for you.
  
  
• Your wound does not stop bleeding, or have bleeding through your nose or other parts of your body.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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