Here's What People Are Saying About Snake Bite And How To Take Precautionary Care.

Poison Treatment Hospital in Salem

Snake bites are a well-known occupational hazard amongst farmers, plantation workers and other outdoor workers with results that are morbid and mortality that is challenging. Morbid and challenging because though statistics show a rise in the incidence of snake bites, victims initially approach traditional healers or treatment and many do not even approach a hospital for treating the wound.

What are snake bites?

Snakes are distributed throughout most of the earth's surface and most of the Snakes bite either to capture prey or in self-defense. Snakes inject venom using their modified salivary glands. Venom is nothing but a modified form of saliva that is probably evolved to aid in chemical digestion. Varying degrees of toxicity makes it useful in killing prey. Snakes can control the amount of venom they discharge. Some of the bites can be labelled as "dry" and only 50% - 70% of venomous snake bites can result in envenoming or poisoning.

 What are the symptoms of snake bites?

 The symptoms that arise from the bite of a snake will depend on the type of snake involved if it is venomous. Some of the common reactions include the following:

•    Two fang marks or wounds that look punctured
•    Bleeding from the wound
•    Localized Inflammation, pain, burning and redness around the bite
•    Nausea and vomiting
•    Thirst
•    Low Blood pressure
•    Shock and Convulsions
•    Allergic reactions
•    Diarrhea and fever
•    Numbness and tingling in the limbs and the face, and drooping eyelids
•    Paralysis
•    Rapid pulse
•    Stomach ache and headache
•    Difficulty in breathing
•    Vision going blurry
•    Tiredness and muscle weakness

 Know your Risk Factors

 Some of the major risk factors associated with snake bites are the following.

•    Too much movement of the victim can cause the venom to spread faster in the body.
•    Lack of immediate and scientific first aid in the form of anti-venom.
•    Outdated first aid techniques like cutting the wound open and exposing to infection and complications.
•    Tight and fitted clothing and jewelry around the bite
•    Children run the risk of death and serious complications because of their smaller body size.

Diagnosis of a snake bite

 Call in a medical emergency before you attempt to administer local first aid. A doctor will examine the bitten area and identify the snake bite aiding the course of treatment. You can take note of the snake's appearance and be ready to describe the snake to emergency staff.

 Some Do's

•    Have the person lie down with a wound below the heart.
•    Remove shoes if the leg or foot was bitten.
•    Keep the person calm and at rest.
•    Move the person beyond striking distance of the snake.
•    Cover the wound with a loose, sterile bandage.

 Some Dont's

•    Never cut a bite wound.
•    Attempt to suck out the venom.
•    Apply ice/water/tourniquet.
•    Give alcohol or caffeinated drinks or any other medications.

A snake-bite can be life-threatening, and the doctor may administer a course of anti-venom. Every bite may not be life-threatening. Sometimes, the extent of the damage caused by the bite is decided by the age and health of the victim. If there is any delay in treatment following the bite of a venomous snake could result in death or serious injury. Often at times, a wound caused by snake bites is cleaned up, disinfected and treated promptly.

"Note: This content is originally published by Sree Vasantham Hospital http://www.vmch.in/snake-bite-and-how-to-take-precautionary-care"