Most snakes are not venomous. Although venomous snake bites seldom lead to death, they can cause permanent injuries to the affected limb.
The types of snakes which can cause problems in South Africa are adders, cobras, mambas, boomslang and vine snakes.
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Recovery from a bite is influenced by several factors, including the amount of venom injected, the site and depth of the bite as well as the physical health, size and age of the person. The type of first aid given and time it takes to receive medical treatment also play a role.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the type of venom injected:
Adder venom is toxic to tissue (cytotoxic), especially blood vessels. It causes extreme pain, swelling of the limb and blistering. An untreated bite may cause death due to loss of blood, dehydration and secondary infection.
Mamba and cobra venom are toxic to the nervous system (neurotoxic). Symptoms include “pins and needles”, dizziness, poor co-ordination, slurred speech, excessive salivation and drooping eyelids. This is followed by difficulty in breathing.
Boomslang and vine snake venom are toxic to blood cells and thin the blood (haemotoxic). Early symptoms include headaches, nausea, diarrhoea, lethargy, mental disorientation, bruising and bleeding at the site and all body openings.
Get help immediately if you have been bitten by a snake, unless you are absolutely certain that it is not a venomous snake. Phone the hospital en route and provide a clear description of the snake so that they have time to prepare the antivenom.
Home treatment
Don’t:
Use antivenom except in a hospital environment.
Cut and suck the wound
Apply a tourniquet
Give anything to eat or drink
Rub potassium permanganate into the wound or soak the limb in home remedies
Try to kill the snake
Do:
Get everyone well away from the snake.
Try to obtain a clear description of the snake.
Stay calm, and reassure the person who has been bitten. Fear and anxiety cause an increase in heart rate, and thus a more rapid spread of venom throughout the body.
For neurotoxic and haemotoxic snake bites, wrap a crepe or pressure bandage firmly around the area of the bite, covering the entire limb (from fingertip to armpit; from toe to groin). Apply hand pressure at the site of the bite until a bandage or strips of fabric can be obtained.
Keep the person as still as possible and immobilise the affected limb by binding splints (e.g. straight branches) to either side of the limb.
If a snake spits into someone's eyes, rinse the eyes with large amounts of water, preferably by holding the head under a running tap.
Observe the person and record the symptoms and the time taken for them to appear.
Prevention
Don't try to catch or kill snakes; get in an experienced snake handler.
Watch where you step. Always use a torch when you walk outdoors at night.
Wear boots and long trousers in the bush or veld. Step on top of, not over, logs or rocks. Stick to footpaths.
Don’t put your hand into holes in the ground or under objects when picking them up.
Stay away from dead snakes – many fake death.
Always keep your cell phone with you when hiking, and keep it charged.
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