How to identify and treat snake bites

 

Snake bites

Snake bites can be a real threat to people. Of the hundreds of species of snakes in the USA only a low percentage are actually venomous.

However, given the shock, distress and panic that most of us would feel on unexpectedly encountering a snake, it is highly unlikely that we would be able to easily identify whether the snake we were facing was venomous or not.

Types of venomous snake bites

The danger from snake bites and the toxicity of venom that a snake injects in to its victim varies from species to species.

The recommended first aid for snake bites will also vary according to species and this underlines the importance of being able to place venomous snakes in to groups according to the properties of their venom.

Treatment
The required treatment for a snake bite is defined according to whether the venom is cytotoxic, haemotoxic or neurotoxic and the wrong treatment will not only be of little or no help but could even be dangerous.

Cytotoxic- An agent or process that is toxic to cells and suppresses cell function or causes cell death.

Haemotoxic - An agent or process that kills red blood cells and prevents clotting resulting in internal and external bleeding.

Neurotoxic - An agent or process that is destructive or deadly to nerves or nervous tissue.

The bite:

The venom from adders and vipers is cytotoxic

1. Generally two puncture marks at the site of the bite.
2. Bite causes instant pain, immediate swelling, bruising and blistering.
3. Symptoms include nausea and dizziness.
4. Immobilize the limb but don’t restrict the blood flow.

                           

The venom from mambas and cobras is neurotoxic

1. Generally two puncture wounds at the site of the bite.
2. Bite can feel more like a sting with little or no bruising and swelling.
3. Symptoms include feeling confused, dizziness, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing and breathing.
4. Immobilize the limb and restrict blood flow between the bite and the heart.
5. Administer CPR until Medical help is available.

The venom from boomslangs and vine snakes is haemotoxic

1. Sometimes puncture wounds can be seen at site of the bite.
2. Bite is generally not very painful but within one hour copious bleeding is likely from the bite wound and any other wounds cuts or scratches the victim may have.
3. Symptoms include a severe headache, nausea and vomiting.
4. It’s helpful to restrict the blood and lymphatic flow, but it’s important not to cause bruising which can lead to bleeding under the skin.

If Venom is spat in to a person’s eyes use any liquid available, preferably a neutral one such as water or milk – but anything at all will do, to flush out the eye.

Things to do and things not to do in treating snake bite
Symptoms usually manifest soon after a snake bite, so observing the victim is seriously important. If no symptoms have occurred within half an hour of the bite then indications would be that it was not a venomous snake, it failed to inject any venom or the snake was very old and had little or no venom left.

Things to do

1. Try to identify the snake; color, size, shape of head, attacking method are all useful.
2. Loosen the Victim’s clothing and, if necessary, move them in to the shade.
3. Keep the victim calm and still; movement will increase blood flow and transport the venom to the heart much faster.
4. Immobilize the limb but do NOT restrict blood flow unless you are certain the bite was from a snake that delivers neurotoxic venom.
5. Clean and dress the wound being careful not to apply pressure and cause bruising.
6. Be prepared to administer CPR if necessary.
7. Get the victim to a hospital as soon as possible.

Things not to do

While there can be differences of opinion as to what we should do for snake bites the consensus of opinion as to what not to do is reasonably consistent:

1. Allow the victim to exercise or stress themselves.
2. Cut the bite or attempt to suck the venom out.
3. Give the victim anything to eat or drink especially alcohol.
4. Use potassium permanganate crystals or solution near or on the bite wound.
5. Use soapy water round the bite wound.
6. Leave pressure bandages on too long.
7. Leave the victim alone.
8. Apply ice to the wound.
9. Soak the affected limb in any solutions.