How to Treat a Snake Bite

What would you do if you were bitten by a snake? Annually, thousands of snake bite victims get medical treatment, and many more go unreported because they did not seek medical attention. Here is a guide to treating and preventing snake bites. Learn which snakes are poisonous in your area. Look for a triangular head, such as in rattle snakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths. You might see red bands touching yellow or white bands, like in coral snakes.

Snake bites can be very dangerous. Even a snake bite from a harmless snake can pose a potential threat for infections and illness. Some of the symptoms of a poisonous snake bite may include a bloody discharge, swelling, severe pain at the area, diarrhea, burning, fainting, dizziness, weakness, blurred vision, excessive sweating, fever, thirst, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, rapid pulse, numbness, tingling, and convulsions. Keep in mind that each individual person is going to react differently.

If you or someone you know are bitten by a snake call for emergency assistance as soon as possible. Immediate response is critical at this point. While you are waiting for emergency assistance you need to wash the bite with soapy water and keep the area immobile below the level of the victim's heart. After you have cleaned and immobilized the area you must cover the area with a cool (not cold) compress. This reduces swelling. Monitor the vital signs, heart rate, pulse, and respiration.

Should the victim be unable to get medical treatment within thirty minutes wrap a bandage up to four inches above the snake bite to slow the venom. This is not a tourniquet. It should be snug, yet loose enough to fit a finger underneath. You can also use a suction device, but do not make any incisions in or near the bite area. I recommend investing in a snake bite kit because it includes the proper equipment, plus the suction device.

Often times, doctors will treat the victim with an antidote called antivenin to treat snake bites. Antivenin is made from the antibodies in equine blood serum when the horse is injected with snake bite venom.

Here are some tips to prevent getting bitten by a snake. Of course not all can be prevented. Do not go near any snakes if you happen to see one. Ignore it and go on your way. If you are in tall grass or wooded areas you should always protect your lower legs by wearing thick leather boots and do not stray away from the cleared path. Do not stick your hands and feet in areas that you cannot see clearly and do not pick up firewood or other debris until you know there are no snakes lurking around. Always be cautious when rock climbing as snakes love to hide out in rocky areas. Never let your yard get full of clutter. Snakes love to stay cool under things laying around the yard. Keep your yard mowed because this foils a snake's cover. Be especially cautious following heavy rains. Snakes sometimes get flooded out of their holes.

My personal favorite tip for avoiding a potential snake bite is never, never collect eggs out in the hen house until you know for sure there isn't a snake coiled up over tomorrow's breakfast, your's or his.