Do not use a constriction band, such as a tourniquet or bandage, on a bite.Do not suck on the bite wound or use any kind of extraction device.Avoid doing anything that might cause more problems with the bite.This will help your doctor estimate how the venom is moving in your body. Use a pen to mark the edge of the swelling around the bite every 15 minutes.The limbs might swell, making it harder to remove the jewelry after swelling starts. If you aren't sure what type of snake or lizard bit you, call a Poison Control Center right away to help identify the snake or lizard and find out what to do next.If you think the snake bite is an emergency, call 911.Take these steps after a poisonous snake or lizard bite.īut don't delay getting emergency care while you start home treatment. Antivenom may be effective up to 2 weeks or more after a snakebite. Antivenom is given as soon as a doctor decides it's needed, usually within the first 4 hours after the snakebite. Medicine ( antivenom) to counteract the effects of the poison can save a limb or your life. And a dead snake, even one with a severed head, can bite and release venom by reflex action for up to 90 minutes after it dies. So it can still hurt you after the first strike. It's important to remember that a snake only injects part of its venom with each bite. Only trap a poisonous snake if the chances are good that it will bite more people if you let it go. Don't waste time or take any risks trying to kill or bring in the snake. But don't do this if it will delay treatment or put someone at risk for more bites. If you aren't sure what type of snake or lizard bit you, take a picture of it. Symptoms may progress from mild to severe rapidly. If you were bitten by a snake or lizard that you know or think is poisonous, call 911 or other emergency services right away. Or a skin infection may occur at the site of the bite. A snake or lizard's tooth may break off in a wound. Other problems can occur with a nonpoisonous snake or lizard bite even if the reptile is small. The force of the bite can injure the skin, muscles, joints, or bones. In North America, these snakes are found in the Florida Everglades and zoos, but they may also be kept as exotic pets. But a bite from a large nonpoisonous snake (such as a boa constrictor, a python, or an anaconda) can be more serious. Most nonpoisonous snakebites can be treated at home. Home treatment often relieves symptoms and helps prevent infection. A bite from a small nonpoisonous snake might leave teeth marks, a minor scrape, or a puncture wound without other symptoms. Bites may be scary, but most don't cause serious health problems. Most snakes and lizards in North America aren't poisonous. Even if you don't have symptoms within 8 hours, keep watching for symptoms for 2 weeks or more. And a dead snake, even one with a severed head, can still bite and release venom by reflex action for up to 90 minutes after it dies. A bite from a young snake can be serious. So a snake is still dangerous after the first strike. If poison is released in the bite, about 35% of the bites have mild injections of poison (envenomations), 25% are moderate, and 10% to 15% are severe. At least 25%, and perhaps up to 50%, of bites are dry. If you don't have symptoms within 8 to 12 hours, it may be that no venom was injected.
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