| Approximately, 8,000 people are bitten by poisonous | | | | and water. Keep the bite lower than the heart. Apply a |
| snakes in the United States annually. Even if the snake | | | | cool compress to reduce swelling and monitor vitals. |
| is not poisonous, the bite can trigger an infection or | | | | If medical care is not available within 30 minutes, the |
| allergic reaction in the victim. Snakes can be very | | | | American Red Cross recommends a bandage be |
| dangerous, so it is important to use caution. | | | | wrapped 2 to 4 inches above the bite to slow the |
| Symptoms | | | | venom. The band should be loose enough to slip a |
| Rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouth water | | | | finger under it and not cut off blood flow. If you have a |
| moccasins, and coral snakes are all poisonous snakes. | | | | commercial snake bite kit, the suction device may be |
| When bitten, individuals may exhibit various symptoms. | | | | used to help draw the venom out of the wound. |
| Common symptoms include swelling at the site of the | | | | Physicians will use antivenin. Antivenin is an antidote to |
| bite, bloody wound discharge, and fang marks in the | | | | snake venom used for serious bites. It is composed of |
| skin. The bite will cause severe localized pain which | | | | antibodies that horses produce when snake venom is |
| may include a burning sensation. In addition, diarrhea | | | | injected into a horse's blood serum. However, because |
| may result. Convulsions, fainting, dizziness, and | | | | the antivenin is made from horses, people who are |
| weakness commonly occur as well. Vision may blur | | | | sensitive to horse products must be careful. |
| and excessive sweating may be present as well as | | | | Prevention |
| fever and increased thirst. Other symptoms include | | | | There are many measures that can be taken to |
| loss of muscle coordination, numbness, rapid pulse, | | | | prevent injury from a snake. If you see a snake, leave |
| nausea, and vomiting. | | | | it alone. Many people are bitten when they try to kill a |
| Treatment | | | | snake. When walking in tall grass, wear thick leather |
| Call 911 for assistance immediately if someone has | | | | boots and stay on the hiking paths. Do not purposely |
| been bitten. A quick response is imperative. While | | | | invade the snake's territory. Be cautious when climbing |
| waiting for an ambulance, wash the wound with soap | | | | through rocky areas and picking up firewood. |