First Aid for Snake Bite

If a snake bites your child, for goodness' sake, don't get inspired by Hindi movies and start sucking venom from the wound!  There's a lot else you can do to prevent the poison from spreading and reaching the heart. 

• Try and get a good look at the snake. This would help the doctor identify it, and treat the bite accordingly. 

• Get your child away from the snake and try to calm her down. 

• Make her lie down on a bed or mattress. 

• She should move as little as possible. The more she moves, the quicker the venom will spread through the body. 

• It is important to remember that most snakes are not poisonous, and it is likely that your child has been bitten by a non-poisonous snake.  However, if fang marks are visible, the snake was probably of the poisonous variety.

• Keep the bitten limb below the level of the heart. This slows down the spread of the poison to the heart. So if your child has been bitten on the leg, she could lie down with her leg on a lower level than the mattress, perhaps on a stool. 

• Some advise that you should wash the bite with soap and water, and then apply an antiseptic, while others advise that it is better not to wash the bite. The doctor will be able to treat your child much better if he has traces of the venom. It is a good idea to wipe the area clean with an antiseptic and retain the wipe for venom traces. 

• Don't apply ice to the bite. 

• Tie a band or cloth about two inches away from the wound. If there has been swelling, tie the band about two inches from the swelling. 

• The band should be at least an inch thick, and it should be tied within 20 minutes of the bite, if it is to have any effect. 

• The band should be firm and tight, but not so tight that it completely blocks blood flow. A good rule of thumb is that the bandage should be loose enough for a finger to slip through. 

• Keep bandaging as much of the area as possible, depending on the amount of bandage you have. You could even bandage around the torso to prevent any poison which may have already started to move towards the heart. 

• As far as possible, DO NOT LET YOUR CHILD WALK. Remember, the limb should be moved as little as possible. 

• Get your child to a hospital as soon as possible. 

The most important points to remember in a snake bite is to immobilise the limb and keep it below the level of the heart before getting  the child to a hospital.  

If your child has been bitten by any other animal like a dog or spider, the first aid is relatively the same in either case. Wash the wound with soap and water and apply an antiseptic. Always contact a doctor, whether the bite is big or small, if swelling occurs, the wound gets worse or if your child develops fever. If your child gets bitten by a tick, don't squeeze the tick while removing it, as this causes the tick to secrete further bacteria.

Snake bites - Overview

• Overview
• Symptom
• Treatment
• Prevention
• All Information

Alternative Names

Bites - snakes

Definition of Snake bites:

Snake bites occur when a snake bites the skin, and are medical emergencies if the snake is poisonous.

Considerations:

Snake bites can be deadly if not treated quickly. Children are at higher risk for death or serious complications due to snake bites because of their smaller body size.

The right antivenom can save a person's life. Getting to an emergency room as quickly as possible is very important. If properly treated, many snake bites will not have serious effects.

Causes:

Poisonous snake bites include bites by any of the following:

• Cobra
• Copperhead
• Coral snake
• Cottonmouth (water moccasin)
• Rattlesnake
• Various snakes found at zoos

All snakes will bite when threatened or surprised, but most will usually avoid people if possible and only bite as a last resort.

Snakes found in and near water are often mistaken as being poisonous. Most species of snake are harmless and many bites are not life-threatening, but unless you are absolutely sure that you know the species, treat it seriously.

Snake bite on the finger

Snake bite on the finger

Snake bite

Poisonous snakes - series

Snakebite (poison) treatment - series

Finally


WHAT TO DO:

1. allow bite to bleed freely for one minute
2. remove constrictive clothing, shoes, watch or rings
3. cleanse/disinfect bite thoroughly if possible for 30 seconds
4. apply hard direct pressure with gauze pad over bite area
5. strap pad tightly in place with adhesive tape
6. soak gauze pad w/BETADINE if possible before application
7. wrap affected extremity with 2"-3" elastic bandaging
8. wrap as tightly as one would for a sprain
9. keep affected extremity positioned at or as close to heart level as possible
10. immobilize affected extremity; use a splint if possible
11. get medical attention as soon as possible. In India, anti snake venom serum is available at most public hospitals.
12. identify (and/or kill & bring) offending species of snake ONLY if safe to do so

WHAT NOT TO DO:

1. Don't eat or drink anything
2. Don't engage in strenuous physical activity
3. Don't cut or incise bite marks; do not apply oral suction to bite
4. Don't take alcoholic beverage or any medication
5. Don't delay seeking medical attention
6. Don't apply cold or hot packs or a constrictive tourniquet
7. Don't apply electric shock of any kind
8. Do not remove dressings/elastic wrap until arrival at hospital