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Is it true that snake bites shouldn't be treated by making small cuts and drawing the poison out?
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Many people on vacation or living in areas where poisonous (venomous) snakes reside may wonder what to do if either you or someone with you gets bitten by a snake. Well, just as you suspected, one thing you shouldn't do is follow the old Western cowboy movies.
DON'T put a tourniquet around the arm or leg. DON'T cut around the bite and suck out the venom. Get medical help as quickly as possible. With cell phones and GPS units, fast emergency aid is often just minutes away.
What will the medical personnel do for a snake bite? Emergency medical techs (EMTs) are always taught to use the A, B, Cs first. A is for airway -- make sure the person's mouth and trachea are clear. B for breathing. If the person is not breathing, a special emergency device can be used to pump air into the lungs. And C for circulation or compression. C reminds the EMT to check for a pulse or heartbeat and/or start applying chest compression if necessary.
If you or anyone in your group has EMT training, don't hesitate to put it to good use while someone else calls for help. In some situations, once the patient has been transported to a medical facility and evaluated, there may be nothing else required.
Those patients are just kept under observation for eight to 12 hours. During that time, the local site of the bite will be cleaned and then monitored for any changes in size, color, swelling, or bleeding. When antivenin is available, this antidote to the snake bite is given to the patient right away.
Most people do alright after a snake bite. Every effort is made to keep the limb from swelling up. The worry about gangrene setting in and losing a limb or life is real but extremely rare.
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*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. |
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