What are snake bites?
The bite of a snake, especially a venomous one.
Even a bite from a harmless snake can be serious, leading to an allergic reaction or an infection.
Venomous snake bites can produce an array of symptoms, including localized pain and swelling, convulsions, nausea, and even paralysis.
TYPES OF SNAKE
Water moccasins or cottonmouth
Copper heads
Coral snakes
King Cobra
Black Mamba
Corn Snake
Rattlesnake (most common)
Boa Constrictor
Eastern Coral Snake
SIGNS OF SNAKE BITE
two puncture wounds
swelling and redness around the wounds
Severe pain at the bite site
difficulty breathing
vomiting and nausea
blurred vision
sweating and salivating
numbness in the face and limbs
drooping eyelids
low blood pressure
thirst
tiredness or muscle weakness
weakness
convulsions
stomach pain
difficulty swallowing
headache
shock
paralysis
FIRST AID TREATMENT
Should you be bitten by a snake, it’s essential to get emergency treatment as quickly as possible. However, there are some tips that you should also keep in mind:
DOS
👉Call 112/911 immediately.
👉Note the time of the bite.
👉Keep calm and still as movement can cause the venom to travel more quickly through the body.
👉Remove constricting clothing or jewelry because the area surrounding the bite will likely swell.
👉Don’t allow the victim to walk. Carry or transport them by vehicle.
👉Do not kill or handle the snake. Take a picture if you can but don’t waste time hunting it down.
👉cleaning the wound
👉Apply a firm pressure on the bitten areawith a piece of cloth.
👉remaining calm
👉 immobilize the affected area.
However, it’s essential to get to a medical facility immediately for emergency treatment.
There are also several outdated first aid techniques that are now believed to be unhelpful or even harmful:
DONTS
👉Do not use a tourniquet or compress the area with tight bandage
👉Do not cut into the snake bite.
👉Do not use a cold compress on the bite.
👉Do not give the person any medications unless directed by a doctor.
👉Do not raise the area of the bite above the victim’s heart.
👉Do not attempt to suck the venom out by mouth.
👉Do not wash the site of the bite
👉Do not use pain killers
👉Do not drink alcohol or caffeinated drinks
👉Do not use a pump suction device. These devices were formerly recommended for pumping out snake venom, but it's now believed that they are more likely to do harm than good.
TREATMENT
Treatment for snake bites
√ The most important thing to do for a snake bite is to get emergency medical help as soon as possible. A doctor will evaluate the victim to decide on a specific course of treatment. In some cases, a bite from a venomous snake is not life-threatening. The severity depends on the location of the bite and the age and health of the victim. If the bite is not serious, the doctor may simply clean the wound and give the victim a tetanus vaccine.
√ If the situation is life threatening, the doctor may administer antivenom. This is a substance created with snake venom to counter the snake bite symptoms. It’s injected into the victim. The sooner the antivenom is used, the more effective it will be.
PREVENTION
Prevention of snake bites
Snake bites can be prevented in many cases.
👉 Refrain from approaching or handling snakes in the wild.
👉 Avoid typical places where snakes like to hide, such as patches of tall grass and piled leaves, and rock and woodpiles.
👉 If you encounter a snake, give it space to retreat and let it take cover. It’s in the snake’s nature to avoid interaction.
👉 When working outside where snakes may be present, wear tall boots, long pants, and leather gloves.
👉 Avoid working outside during the night and in warmer weather, which is when snakes are most active.
HLF🌀
