Snake bites

Snake bites

Snake bites occur when a snake bites the skin. They are medical emergencies if the snake is venomous.

Causes

Venomous snake bites include bites by any of the following:

•             Cobra

•             Copperhead

•             Coral snake

•             Cottonmouth (water moccasin)

•                Rattlesnake

Symptoms

Common symptoms includes,

•             Bleeding from wound

•             Blurred vision

•             Burning of the skin

•             Convulsions

•             Diarrhea

•             Dizziness

•             Excessive sweating

•             Fainting

•             Fang marks in the skin

•             Fever

•             Increased thirst

•             Loss of muscle coordination

•             Nausea and vomiting

•             Numbness and tingling

•             Rapid pulse

•             Tissue death

•             Severe pain

•             Skin discoloration

•             Swelling at the site of the bite

•             Weakness

Investigations

1. Blood tests

2. Urine test

Treatments.

1. Keep the person calm. Keep the affected area below heart level to reduce the flow of venom.

2. Use a pump suction device.

3. Remove any rings or constricting items, because the affected area may swell. Create a loose splint to help restrict movement of the area.

4. Give particular anti venomous.

REFERENCES

• What to do in a medical emergency: Bites and stings. American College of Emergency Physicians. http://www.emergencycareforyou.org/EmergencyManual/WhatToDoInMedicalEmergency/Default.aspx?id=210&terms=snake+bites. Accessed May 09, 2015.

• Tintinalli JE, et al. Reptile bites. In: Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com. Accessed May 09, 2015.

• Venomous snakes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/snakes/. Accessed May 09, 2015.