Live Life Team
The deaths due to snake bites occur because of lack of emergency medical services. The use of anti-venom drug is advised which can treat the most deadly snake venoms.
Symptoms
Snake bites can be of two kinds:
- venomous bites
- dry bites
The symptoms of dry bites are often local. The symptoms are;
- swelling
- pain
- redness
Visit in a doctor to rule out the cases of infection. In certain cases, antibiotics may be administered to prevent infection.
Symptoms of venomous bites of the snakes are:
- being anxious
- severe pain at the area of bite
- dizziness
- nausea
- vomitting
- wheezing
- arrhythmia
- mental confusion
- weakness of muscles
- paralysis
- coma
- death
Snake bites can result in anaphylaxis. The symptoms of this condition are:
- swelling of the throat that causes wheezing
- swollen lips
- swollen throat
- swollen face and tongue
- itchy skin
- rapid heartbeat
- hypotension
- dizziness
- clammy, cold skin
- mental confusion
- loss of consciousness
Causes
The snake venoms have poisons that can kill or immobilise humans as well as other animals. The three kinds of snake venom are:
- cytotoxin venom causing the death of tissue near the bitten area
- Neurotoxin venom affecting the brain and nerves.
- haemotoxin venom that affects circulatory system and heart
The cytotoxin venom causes the death of the tissue located near the bitten area. This in turn causes scarring and swelling of the tissue affected. Plastic surgery may need to be done to repair this damage.
Neurotoxin venom causes the death of neurons in turn causing paralysis, numbness or weakness of muscles, memory loss, hearing and vision problems. High doses of neurotoxin damage the brain and paralyses heart and respiratory system.
Haemotoxin venom results in the death of red blood corpuscles. This will cause the disruption of the blood’s clotting ability. High doses of this venom can result in hypotension, organ damage and tissue damage leading paralysis, coma and finally to death.
Snakes bite because either they want to immobilise the prey or kill it. They also bite for self defence.
Treatment
Things to do after a snake bite:
- Keep the bitten part still using a sling
- Remember the shape, colour and size of the snake which bit.
- Do remove all the jewellery
- Call for medical help immediately.
Things that should not be done include:
- Do not try to suck the venom out.
- Do not try to cut out the venom from the bite using knife
- Do not use the compression bandage to restrict the flow of venom to other parts
- DO not kill the snake
Once the person is taken to the hospital, he will be administered the anti-venom drugs. The anti-venom drugs may cause anaphylaxis in some people. In certain cases, the patient may be asked to undergo blood transfusions. The administration of intravenous fluids is also advised.
The use of over the counter analgesics help to relieve the pain and swelling felt in the bitten part during recovery.
