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Snake bites

Bites - snakes

 

Snake bites occur when a snake bites the skin. They are medical emergencies if the snake is venomous.

Venomous animals account for a large number of deaths and injuries worldwide. Snakes alone are estimated to inflict 2.5 million venomous bites each year, resulting in about 125,000 deaths. The actual number may be much larger. Southeast Asia, India, Brazil, and areas of Africa have the most deaths due to snakebite.

Considerations

 

Snake bites can be deadly if not treated quickly. Because of their smaller body size, children are at higher risk for death or serious complications due to snake bites.

The right antivenom can save a person's life. Getting to an emergency room as quickly as possible is very important. If properly treated, many snake bites will not have serious effects.

 

Causes

 

Most species of snake are harmless and their bites are not life threatening.

Venomous snake bites include bites by any of the following:

  • Cobra
  • Copperhead
  • Coral snake
  • Cottonmouth (water moccasin)
  • Rattlesnake
  • Various snakes found at zoos

Most snakes will avoid people if possible, but all snakes will bite as a last resort when threatened or surprised. If you are bitten by any snake, treat it seriously.

 

Symptoms

 

Symptoms depend on the type of snake, but may include:

  • Bleeding from wound
  • Blurred vision
  • Burning of the skin
  • Convulsions
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Excessive sweating
  • Fainting
  • Fang marks in the skin
  • Fever
  • Increased thirst
  • Loss of muscle coordination
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Numbness and tingling
  • Rapid pulse
  • Tissue death
  • Severe pain
  • Skin discoloration
  • Swelling at the site of the bite
  • Weakness

Rattlesnake bites are painful when they occur. Symptoms usually begin right away and may include:

  • Bleeding
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Blurred vision
  • Eyelid drooping
  • Low blood pressure
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Numbness
  • Pain at site of bite
  • Paralysis
  • Rapid pulse
  • Skin color changes
  • Swelling
  • Tingling
  • Tissue damage
  • Thirst
  • Tiredness
  • Weakness
  • Weak pulse

Cottonmouth and copperhead bites are painful right when they occur. Symptoms, which usually begin right away, may include:

  • Bleeding
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Low blood pressure
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Numbness and tingling
  • Pain at site of bite
  • Shock
  • Skin color changes
  • Swelling
  • Thirst
  • Tiredness
  • Tissue damage
  • Weakness
  • Weak pulse

Coral snake bites may be painless at first. Major symptoms may not develop for hours. Do NOT make the mistake of thinking you will be fine if the bite area looks good and you are not in a lot of pain. Untreated coral snake bites can be deadly. Symptoms may include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Convulsions
  • Drowsiness
  • Eyelid drooping
  • Headache
  • Low blood pressure
  • Mouth watering ( excessive salivation )
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Numbness
  • Pain and swelling at site of bite
  • Paralysis
  • Shock
  • Slurred speech
  • Swallowing difficulty
  • Swelling of tongue and throat
  • Weakness
  • Skin color changes
  • Skin tissue damage
  • Stomach or abdominal pain
  • Weak pulse

 

First Aid

 

Follow these steps to provide first aid:

1. Keep the person calm. Reassure them that bites can be effectively treated in an emergency room. Restrict movement, and keep the affected area below heart level to reduce the flow of venom.

2. Remove any rings or constricting items, because the affected area may swell. Create a loose splint to help restrict movement of the area.

3. If the area of the bite begins to swell and change color, the snake was probably venomous.

4. Monitor the person's vital signs -- temperature, pulse , rate of breathing, and blood pressure -- if possible. If there are signs of shock (such as paleness ), lay the person flat, raise the feet about a foot (30 centimeters), and cover the person with a blanket.

5. Get medical help right away.

6. Bring in the dead snake only if this can be done safely. Do not waste time hunting for the snake, and do not risk another bite if it is not easy to kill the snake. Be careful of the head when transporting it -- a snake can actually bite (from a reflex) for several hours after it's dead.

 

Do Not

 

Follow these precautions:

  • Do NOT allow the person to become over-exerted. If necessary, carry the person to safety.
  • Do NOT apply a tourniquet.
  • Do NOT apply cold compresses to a snake bite.
  • Do NOT cut into a snake bite with a knife or razor.
  • Do NOT try to suck out the venom by mouth.
  • Do NOT give the person stimulants or pain medicines  unless a doctor tells you to do so.
  • Do NOT give the person anything by mouth.
  • Do NOT raise the site of the bite above the level of the person's heart.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call 911 or your local emergency number if someone has been bitten by a snake. If possible, call ahead to the emergency room so that antivenom can be ready when the person arrives.

Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

Prevention

 

To prevent snake bites:

  • Avoid areas where snakes may be hiding, such as under rocks and logs.
  • Even though most snakes are not venomous, avoid picking up or playing with any snake unless you have been properly trained.
  • Don't provoke a snake. That is when many serious snake bites occur.
  • Tap ahead of you with a walking stick before entering an area where you can't see your feet. Snakes will try to avoid you if given enough warning.
  • When hiking in an area known to have snakes, wear long pants and boots if possible.

 

 

Open References

References

Norris RL. Venomous snakebites in North America. In: Adams JG, ed. Emergency Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 139.

Otten EJ. Venomous animal injuries. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 62.

 
  • Snake bite on the finger

    Snake bite on the finger - illustration

    A bite from a venomous snake can cause tissue death (necrosis) swelling, bleeding and destruction of blood cells (hematological problems), and nerve (neurological) damage (coma, paralysis). This snake bite has caused swelling and local tissue death on the finger.

    Snake bite on the finger

    illustration

  • Snake bite on the finger

    Snake bite on the finger - illustration

    A bite by a venomous snake can cause local tissue death (necrosis), bleeding and destruction of blood cells (hematological problems), and nerve (neurological) damage (coma, paralysis). This snake bite has caused the hand to swell and local tissue death on the finger.

    Snake bite on the finger

    illustration

  • Snake bite

    Snake bite - illustration

    Venomous snake bites are medical emergencies and require immediate attention. The bite of a snake can cause severe local tissue damage and often requires follow-up care. The right anti-venom can save a person's life. Even though most snakes are not poisonous, avoid picking up or playing with any snake unless you have been properly trained.

    Snake bite

    illustration

  • Venomous snakes - Series

    Venomous snakes - Series

    Presentation

    •  
  • Snakebite (venomous) - Series

    Snakebite (venomous) - Series

    Presentation

    •  
    • Snake bite on the finger

      Snake bite on the finger - illustration

      A bite from a venomous snake can cause tissue death (necrosis) swelling, bleeding and destruction of blood cells (hematological problems), and nerve (neurological) damage (coma, paralysis). This snake bite has caused swelling and local tissue death on the finger.

      Snake bite on the finger

      illustration

    • Snake bite on the finger

      Snake bite on the finger - illustration

      A bite by a venomous snake can cause local tissue death (necrosis), bleeding and destruction of blood cells (hematological problems), and nerve (neurological) damage (coma, paralysis). This snake bite has caused the hand to swell and local tissue death on the finger.

      Snake bite on the finger

      illustration

    • Snake bite

      Snake bite - illustration

      Venomous snake bites are medical emergencies and require immediate attention. The bite of a snake can cause severe local tissue damage and often requires follow-up care. The right anti-venom can save a person's life. Even though most snakes are not poisonous, avoid picking up or playing with any snake unless you have been properly trained.

      Snake bite

      illustration

    •   Venomous snakes - Series

      Venomous snakes - Series

      Presentation

      •  
    •   Snakebite (venomous) - Series

      Snakebite (venomous) - Series

      Presentation

      •  

    Talking to your MD

     

      Self Care

       
         

        Review Date: 11/4/2015

        Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, Attending Physician at FDR Medical Services/Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Buffalo, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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