Snake Bite

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? A snake may bite when it is surprised or feels trapped. Nonpoisonous (non-poy-zun-us) snakebites are the most common type of bite. A poisonous (poy-zun-us) snake does not always release poison when it bites. Most bites are on the arms and legs. Bites on the head or chest are the most harmful. The more venom released into the skin, the worse the bite.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Signs and symptoms usually show up within one hour of the bite. You may have burning to the skin at the time of the bite. You may have pain, swelling or bruising around the bite. The swelling may get bigger and include your whole arm or leg or fingers. Also, you may have a metal, rubber or mint taste in your mouth.
  
  
• Other signs are red skin with blisters, dark areas under the skin, nausea (upset stomach), and vomiting (throwing up). You may have a fever, headache, chills, sweating, or blurred vision. Your hands, feet, and the area around your mouth may feel numb or tingle.
  
  
• You may have muscle twitching or weakness. You may see two holes, the snake's fang marks. Or, you may see scratches on the skin. Trouble breathing, fainting (passing out), and convulsions (seizures) are very serious symptoms.

Care:

• Stay calm and lie down. Remove rings or tight clothes near the bite. Keep the bite area still and a little lower than the level of your heart. If medical care is far away, you may wrap the area tightly just above the bite. Use an elastic bandage or a piece of cloth. This is called a constriction (kun-strik-shun) band. Make sure you can get 2 fingers between the constriction band and the skin. If the area below the band feels numb, it is too tight.
  
  
• You may put an ice pack on the bite for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Do this once every hour. Do not wrap the bite in ice or hold in ice water.
  
  
• Do not drink alcohol after you have been bitten.
  
  
• You should be treated whenever a snake has bitten you. You may need medicine to treat the poison reaction and for pain.
  
  
• For trouble breathing, seizures or fainting (passing out) you need help right away. Call 911 or 0 (operator) for an ambulance to take you to the nearest hospital or clinic. Do not drive yourself!

Do's and Don'ts: You can avoid getting a snakebite in the following ways:

• Stay on clearly marked trails.
  
  
• Stay out of tall grass.
  
  
• Do not step or reach into an area where you cannot see the ground.
  
  
• Wear boots, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you hike, hunt or camp.
  
  
• Stay away from areas where snakes live.
  
  
• If you do see a snake, leave it alone. Do not try to catch it.
  
  
• Do not drink alcohol while hiking, camping, fishing and hunting.
  
  
• Carry a snakebite kit and instructions with you. You can get a snakebite kit where you buy camping supplies.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Link to this page

Printable Version

Email Page