First aid for a snake bite

The bite of an ordinary snake, which belongs to non-poisonous reptiles, is not life-threatening, but first aid for the bite of a poisonous snake, most often a viper, includes several rules aimed at slowing down the spread of poison, which, as a result, helps to reduce intoxication.

Non-venomous snake bite

Experts believe that after being bitten by any snake, you should go to the hospital - to the emergency department, since identifying a snake as venomous or non-venomous, especially when a person has not had time to examine a snake or simply does not know what species it belongs to, is most often problematic.

The bite of a non-venomous snake - the same snake or copperhead - requires proper wound care, and as a first aid, wash the bite with soap and water, and then treat the wound with an antiseptic. In a medical institution, anti-tetanus serum should be administered, that is, to be vaccinated against tetanus (if five or more years have passed since its previous administration). [1]

What to do when bitten by a poisonous snake?

Another thing is the bite of an ordinary viper , the poison of which contains hemotoxins that cause destruction of red blood cells and hemorrhages (hemorrhages), polypeptide toxins and enzymes that disrupt cell functions and lead to muscle tissue necrosis and organ damage. The impact on the nervous system can be felt locally (in the form of numbness) or systemic (loss of consciousness). The accumulation of dead red blood cells can also impair normal kidney function.

Most snake bites occur on the limbs; at the site of the bite of a poisonous snake, severe burning pains appear, edema, erythema and hematoma are formed. Read more in the publication - Signs of a viper bite in humans.

According to the WHO World Health Organization Guidelines for the Management of Snake-Bites,  [2], [3]first aid for a snakebite includes the following:

1. Call an ambulance as soon as possible. This is especially important when first aid is provided for a child's snakebite, since its body weight is less, and the systemic action of the poison occurs faster.
2. Remove jewelry and tight clothing before the snake-bitten arm or leg begins to swell.
3. Position or position the victim so that the bite is at or below the level of the heart: in this way the spread of the poison can be reduced and its systemic toxicity can be delayed.
4. Clean the wound quickly (with soap and running water and / or an antiseptic solution) and cover with a sterile loose dressing. This is a recommendation from the American Red Cross.
5. You cannot move the bitten limb, as the poison is spread by the flow of lymph, and muscle contractions accelerate the lymph flow. Therefore, it is necessary to immobilize the limb by applying a wide, dense bandage to the bite site. It is also recommended to apply another layer of bandage with the placement of a splint (fixing the joints closest to the bite site); the bandage should be applied in the direction from the fingers (hands or feet) upwards - to the maximum surface of the limb. This measure is designed to block lymphatic drainage (the splint prevents skeletal muscle contraction) while maintaining arterial and venous circulation. The bandage should clearly indicate the site of the bite, indicate the date and time of the snake bite.
6. Drink more water.

It is very important to get the bitten person to the hospital as quickly as possible so that he can receive medical attention. [4]For more information, see - Treating Poisonous Snake Bites: The Antidote .

What should not be done with snake bites?

When providing first aid for a poisonous snakebite, a tourniquet should not be applied, since complications from the cessation of blood flow to the limb can cause serious problems associated with increased local tissue destruction by snake venom, as well as ischemia of the limbs and the threat of gangrene development. According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, arterial tourniquets are contraindicated for snake bites. [5]

Do not put ice on the bite site or burn it; you should not drink drinks containing alcohol or caffeine.

Cutting the wound to remove the poison, or trying to suck the poison out of the bite, is also wrong. The incision increases the risk of infection, and suction at the site of the bite does not remove the venom. According to research data, the aspiration of the poison during its suction (three minutes after the bite) does not exceed 0.04-2% of that entering the tissue, and toxicologists consider this amount to be clinically insignificant. [6]

In addition, suction can actually increase local tissue damage due to bacteria entering the wound. So this method is no longer recommended by the medical profession, but is still present in many publications.