Snakebite

Are all snakebites dangerous?

Some snakes are poisonous and some are not. Even poisonous snakes may not always release venom when they bite, or they may not release enough to pose a hazard. However, a bite from a poisonous snake must always be treated as a medical emergency. If you have been bitten by a snake and you do not know if the snake is poisonous, treat the bite as a poisonous snakebite.

In the US, most poisonous snakebites are by pit vipers, including rattlesnakes, copperheads, and water moccasins (also called cottonmouths). Coral snakes are a less common type of poisonous snake found in the US.

A bite from a nonpoisonous snake can cause an infection (including tetanus) or allergic reaction in some people. You should get medical care as soon as possible for any snakebite.

What are the signs and symptoms of a snakebite?

The signs and symptoms can vary, depending on if and how much venom got into your body, your size and health, the location and depth of the bite, and how soon you get effective treatment.

The signs of any snakebite may include:

• at least 1 puncture wound from the fangs
• bruising
• bleeding
• swelling.

When a poisonous snake releases venom into the bite (envenomation), other symptoms may be:

• a burning feeling that may turn into overwhelming pain
• tingling of the lips and tongue
• a metallic taste in your mouth
• very severe muscle cramps
• blurred vision
• dizziness
• trouble breathing
• excessive sweating
• fainting
• loss of muscle coordination
• weakness
• rapid pulse
• nausea and vomiting or diarrhea
• uncontrollable twitching of the muscles.

The symptoms caused by venom may not appear until hours after a bite even though the poison might be quite deadly. For this reason, it is always important to get immediate medical attention for any bite that may be poisonous.

What is the first aid for poisonous snakebites?

All snakebites should be treated as poisonous unless you are sure that the snake was nonpoisonous.

If the snake is poisonous or you are not sure if it is poisonous, immediately follow these first aid steps:

• Keep the person still. This is the most important first step in first aid.
• Move the person to safety.
• Call for medical help.
• Keep the person calm and quiet. Keep them from moving too much.
• Remove any jewelry or tight-fitting clothing that is near the bite.
• Make sure the bitten area is kept still, for example, by using a splint. Keep it lower than the heart. Cloth wraps or bandages to keep the splint in place should not be too tight.
• Get medical help right away.

The purpose of first aid is to protect the person who has been bitten from further harm and to limit the spread of snake venom. There are several things you should NOT do for snakebites:

• Do not apply a tourniquet. It will cut off circulation and may lead to a loss of the arm or leg.
• Do not cut the bite. This may cause more injury.
• Do not try to use a suction device or your mouth to draw venom out of the wound.
• Do not use ice or any other type of cooling on the bite. This can cause more injury.
• Do not use electric shock. It does not neutralize venom and may make the situation worse.
• Do not waste time trying to kill or catch the snake.

What is the first aid for nonpoisonous snakebites?

A nonpoisonous snakebite is not usually a serious medical problem. It may be painful, but it is not typically life threatening unless you have an allergy to the saliva of the snake

Be very certain that the snake is nonpoisonous before you follow these instructions. If you have any doubts about the type of snake, treat the bite as though it were a poisonous snake bite.

To apply first aid for nonpoisonous snakebites:

• Wash the bite with soap and water.
• Put a bandage on the wound, if needed.
• Make sure your tetanus shots are up-to-date. If it has been 5 or more years since your last tetanus shot, get a shot as soon as possible, preferably the same day as the bite.
• Get medical care for nonpoisonous snakebites if:
  • The bite wound is bleeding and does not stop bleeding.
  • Over the next few days you develop signs of infection: redness around the bite or red streaks going away from the wound towards your heart, fever, drainage, or more pain or swelling at the site of the bite.

What is the medical treatment for poisonous snakebites?

If you have been bitten by a poisonous snake and venom was released into the bite, medical treatment may include giving a medicine called antivenin or antivenom. It is given as a shot or intravenously (IV). The antivenin neutralizes any snake venom that is in the body. It is best to receive this medicine within 4 to 6 hours of a bite, but it may be given as long as 24 hours after a bite.

Antivenin is made from a sheep or horse's blood serum after the animal has been infected with snake venom. Some people are very allergic to medicines, especially those made from horse serum. For this reason, you may be tested for an allergy to the antivenin before it is given to you. However, in some cases it will be given without the testing, in order to get it working as fast as possible.

Anyone who has been bitten by a snake will be watched very closely for reactions to the bite or antivenin. This will determine the course of treatment.

You may also get a tetanus shot to prevent tetanus in case any dirt and bacteria entered the skin with the bite.

How long will the effects of venom last?

If venom has entered your body, antivenin can effectively reverse the effects of venom and save your life. But there is no guarantee that antivenin can reverse damage already done, such as the death of some of your tissue. In some cases skin grafts or other treatment may be needed. This is why it is important to get medical treatment as soon as possible after a snakebite.

Snakebites can cause bleeding problems. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you experience bruising, nosebleeds, excessive bleeding of your gums after brushing your teeth, blood in your bowel movement, or heavy menstrual bleeding.

How can I prevent snakebites?

If possible, avoid areas where there may be snakes. Snakebites tend to happen most during warm weather and when the weather is beginning to cool off. When temperatures drop during the evening and night, snakes are attracted to buildings or other objects that hold heat from the day.

Before you visit, hike, or camp in a new area, do the following:

• Learn about the snakes that may live in the area.
• Learn the proper first aid for a snakebite.
• Know where the closest medical facility is in case of an emergency.

Take precautions when you visit snake regions:

• Wear long pants and boots.
• Stay on hiking paths
• Be cautious and alert when you climb rocks.
• Don’t pick up firewood or rocks unless you are sure that you are out of a snake's striking distance. (A snake can strike from a distance equal to half its length.)
• Take a mobile phone with you.
• Leave snakes alone. Do not try to kill a snake or get a closer look. Stay at least 6 feet away from any snakes you see.