Prevention Tips
Snakebite can be life threatening and requires swift and appropriate
treatment of the victim. This is one of the instances where prevention
is better than cure.
• Watch where you step and place your hands when outdoors. Do not
put your hands or feet into places you cannot see. Ensure proper
lighting in the area, if not carry a flashlight, and ensure safety
gears are worn when walking outside after dark at odd locations.
• Treat all snakes with respect. Leave the handling of snake to
experts who know what they are doing.
• Never tamper with seemingly dead snakes. Many snakes only play
dead and strike when you attempt to touch them.
Snake Bite Symptoms
Snakebite symptoms vary dramatically from bite to bite, depending on
the snake responsible and the amount of venom injected. A bite from
poisonous snake leaves two prominent fang marks most of the times.
Different snakes have different venom and the snakebite victim will
therefore show different symptoms. Some immediate reactions may
include:
• An immediate burning pain followed by Swelling
• Dizziness, difficulty in swallowing and breathing.
• Dribbling of saliva.
• Shock, as seen in excessive sweating, a thumping heart and difficulty
in breathing.
• Symptoms involving the whole body include nausea, vomiting, abdominal
cramps, thick tongue, difficulty in speaking and swallowing, numbness
and tingling.
• Patient may be unsteady and finds difficulty in walking.
Immediate measures to be taken in case of a snakebite or suspicion of
snakebite.
First Aid Dos and Don’ts
Dos:
1. Wash the area of bite with soap & water.
2. Immobilize the bitten area and keep it lower than heart.
3. Calm and reassure the patient; fear and apprehension may increase
shock.
4. Apply a broad firm bandage above the bite site. Bandage should not
cut off blood flow from artery or vein. A good rule of thumb is to make
bandage loose enough that a finger can slip under it.
5. Shift the patient immediately to the nearest medical center.
Don’ts:
1. Don’t cool or use ice packs.
2. Don’t use tourniquets: These cut blood flow completely and may
result in loss of affected limb.
3. Don’t carry out any incision on wound.
The quicker the person is given expert medical attention, the lesser
the chances of any complications to occur. Do not waste time in
searching for the snake. As most of the time, in case of snakebite,
history is not available about type of snake, anti snake venom is
prepared to combat all types of snake venom.
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