Snake bite prevention first aid. The rules of human behavior in the forest, when meeting a snake, the rules of first aid for a poisonous snake bite. Why is poison dangerous?
Lecture 8.10. First aid for the bites of poisonous snakes and other animals.
Insect bites
Hymenoptera bites
Help to the victim
Arachnid bites
Snake bites
Animal bites
Leaving for nature, you need to remember that most animals and insects themselves attack a person only if he invaded their habitat and provokes them to attack himself. If an unpleasant incident still occurs, it is necessary to provide the victim with first aid.
Insect bites
Insect bites can be divided into two large groups: Hymenoptera bites (mosquitoes, bees, wasps, hornets, horseflies, etc.) and arachnids (tarantulas, scorpions, ticks). The human body responds to an insect bite with three types of reactions. Local reaction - redness, swelling, pain, itching or severe burning in the area of \u200b\u200bthe bite, local enlargement of the lymph nodes. A general toxic reaction usually occurs with multiple bites - chills, fever, nausea and vomiting, headache , joint pain. An allergic reaction can also occur to single bites in people predisposed to such reactions. Allergic reactions proceed as urticaria, angioedema or even anaphylactic shock.
Hymenoptera bites
Mosquitoes, midges, horseflies do not have poisonous glands; when they bite, they inject a special substance into the wound that prevents blood clotting. The reaction to their bites is usually only local. A person is able to endure multiple bites of these insects (up to 100 or more) without disturbing the general condition. Try the following products to reduce local manifestations. Dip your finger alternately in water and dry soda, rub the bite with this finger; can be smeared with a strong solution of soda. The baking soda is believed to somewhat reduce swelling and itching. Menovazin has a good analgesic and antipruritic effect, but it cannot be used by people with hypersensitivity to novocaine. Ortofen and butadion ointments reduce inflammation and itching. Someone is well helped by the "asterisk" balm. There is a special cream "OFF" after bites. To prevent infection of the bite sites, they can be greased with brilliant green. From folk remedies, it is recommended to use grated young potatoes, gruel from crushed onions or garlic, juice of parsley leaves. You can drive away insects with special means: creams and lotions (Moskitol, OFF, Taiga, etc.), which are applied to the skin and clothing, repellent aerosols, smoking spirals, etc. Remember that all these products are toxic, and they are not recommended for children under 3 years old and pregnant women.
Bees, bumblebees "reward" us with poisonous bites (they bite only once in a lifetime, after which they die), wasps and hornets (they can sting several times). The local reaction to the bites of these insects is usually very pronounced. The development of significant edema is characteristic, which, although it is a local reaction, can be dangerous if it is located on the face, especially in the area of \u200b\u200bthe lips or inside the oral cavity. Allergic reactions to the bites of these insects are quite common. Urticaria is a rash of merging blisters against a background of redness of the skin, accompanied by severe itching. It can be located on any part of the skin. Quincke's edema ("giant urticaria") is a rapidly growing, delimited edema of the skin or mucous membranes. It can occur not only directly at the site of the bite, but also in any other. Its “favorite” localization is the face, oral mucosa, soft palate, limbs, genitals. Allergic laryngeal edema is especially dangerous. A rare but very dangerous reaction is anaphylactic shock. Within a few minutes, the victim develops shortness of breath, severe chills, fear of death, heart rate increases, blood pressure drops sharply and coma sets in. Locally at the same time - a blister, rapidly growing edema, hemorrhage.
Help to the victim
Examine the bite site carefully. The sting left behind must be removed. At the same time, try not to squeeze it so that the remains of the poison do not get into the wound. Apply cold to the bite site. Hydrocortisone or prednisolone ointments can be used to reduce swelling and local inflammation. For persons prone to allergic reactions, it is better to immediately give an antihistamine. This must be done in case of “dangerous” localizations of the bite (face and, especially, the oral cavity). In mild cases allergic reactions it is also sufficient to take an antihistamine by mouth. Claritin is given in 1 tablet (10 mg) or 2 tsp. syrup for children weighing more than 30 kg and adults, 0.5 tablets (5 mg) or 1 tsp. syrup for children over 2 years old with a body weight of up to 30 kg, 0.5 tsp each. syrup for children under 2 years old. The drug is taken once a day. Tavegil is prescribed for adults and children over 12 years old - 1 tablet (1 mg), children 6-12 years old - 0.5-1 tablets, children 3-6 years old - 0.5 tablets 2 times a day. In severe allergic reactions (common urticaria with general disturbance, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain; rapidly spreading Quincke's edema), intramuscular administration of antihistamines is necessary. Tavegil (2 ml / 2 mg ampoules) is administered to adults in 2 ml (2 mg) doses twice a day, to children - in a daily dose of 0.025 mg / kg, dividing it into two injections. Suprastin (1 ml / 20 mg ampoules) is administered at a dose of 5 mg (0.25 ml) to children under one year old, 10 mg (0.5 ml) - to children 2-6 years old, 10-20 mg (0.5-1 ml ) - children 7-14 years old, 20 mg (1 ml) - adolescents and adults. The frequency of administration is up to 3-4 times a day, but the daily dose should not exceed 2 mg / kg. In case of allergic laryngeal edema with respiratory failure, prednisolone is injected intravenously slowly (in 2-3 minutes), and if it is impossible, intramuscularly at a dose of 2 mg / kg (during the day, a repeated single administration at the same dose is possible).
In case of anaphylactic shock, the victim should be laid on his back with a raised leg end; if there is vomiting or there is no consciousness, the person is laid on his side. It is necessary to ensure the patency of the respiratory tract, try to warm the victim. A tourniquet is applied above the insect bite, and cold is applied to the site of the bite.
Call for medical attention immediately. First aid consists in the subcutaneous injection of 0.1% adrenaline solution at a dose of 0.25-0.5 ml (for children, a dose of 0.01 ml / kg) directly into the bite site and into the free area of \u200b\u200bthe body above the tourniquet, injections of suprastin at a dose 2 mg / kg. In the absence of effect, adrenaline is injected intravenously slowly (2-3 minutes) in the form of a 0.01% solution (1 ml of 0.1% adrenaline is diluted in 10 ml of saline) at a dose of 0.1 ml / kg. At the same time, prednisolone is slowly injected intravenously at a dose of 3-4 mg / kg. In case of respiratory disorders, a 2.4% solution of aminophylline (5-7 mg / kg in 20 ml of saline) is injected intravenously. Transportation is possible only after the victim's blood pressure exceeds 70 mm Hg.
Snake venom poisoning is not considered such a rare occurrence. Quite often, snake bites occur in nature - for example, on a hike or in the field, therefore absolutely everything should know the basics of clinical toxicology, the rules of behavior for snake bites and symptoms.
There are many types of snakes on earth, but people most often suffer from the bites of reptiles of only three types - viper, already-like and asp.
Table of contents:Types of poisonous snakes and characteristics of their bites
Family of already-like
the most common are common and copperheads. The bites of these snakes do not pose a danger to human life, and they cannot fundamentally shake health. But the bite itself is accompanied by powerful painful sensations, wound suppuration may develop.
Family of vipers
The brightest representative of this species is the common viper. This snake is peaceful, bites a person only in case of direct concern - for example, if a person grabs a viper with his hands, steps on it. In general, having seen a person, the common viper tries to crawl aside, hide, or continues to lie quietly, watching a potential enemy.
Mortality after being bitten by this type of poisonous snake is only 1% of the total mass. Such a low rate is associated with the fact that the snake injects a small amount of poison into the human body, it saves it - creating and accumulating the next portion is too tiring for a reptile.
The venom of a common viper when bitten can get into muscle tissue, under the skin or into the lumen of a vessel. The last option is the most difficult - the spread of the poison is instantaneous, the symptoms are too severe.
Family of asp
A striking representative of this species is the Central Asian cobra. Often, a cobra first warns the enemy about an attack, it can even imitate a bite - it stands up in a characteristic stance, expands its neck, emits a loud hiss and makes a sharp rush to the lower limbs of a person, hitting them with its head with its mouth closed.
The main component of the poison of the Central Asian cobra is neurotoxin - it blocks the sensitivity of the skin, impairs the conduction of nerve impulses, provokes the development of paralysis and paresis.
Poisonous Snake Bite Symptoms
It may happen that a person does not notice a snake bite, so you need to know the main symptoms of snake poisoning in order to be able to provide medical assistance.
Symptoms of a common viper bite:
If severe intoxication develops, then the above symptoms will be accompanied by the following symptoms:
- severe weakness;
- clearly defined pallor of the skin;
- the limbs become cold;
- confusion of consciousness is noted;
- fever and shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, and kidney failure may develop.
Central Asian cobra bite symptoms:
- there is a sharp, burning pain at the site of the bite, which subsides only after a few hours;
- the color of the skin at the site of the bite practically does not change;
- there is swelling in the area of \u200b\u200bthe wounds, but not as pronounced as with the bite of an ordinary viper;
- a clear blood liquid may ooze from the wound;
- the functions of the affected limb are impaired, paralysis develops in an ascending direction;
- the muscles of the face suffer - the eyelids and the lower jaw involuntarily drop, the movement of the eyeballs is disturbed.
With a bite of a Central Asian cobra, symptoms of general intoxication quickly develop:
Note: if a person does not receive medical assistance after being bitten by a Central Asian cobra, then his death occurs within 2-7 hours from respiratory arrest.
What determines the severity of symptoms after a poisonous snake bite:
- Age of the bitten person... The most intense symptoms of snake poisoning are manifested in children and the elderly. The presence of internal diseases, the level of immunity and general health also play a role.
- Snake species, size and age... It is believed that the common viper is less dangerous than the Central Asian cobra, although in any case the bite of these reptiles causes serious health problems. The bites of young small snakes are less dangerous.
- Snake teeth condition... If they are infected, then penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the wound will be a mandatory moment - this aggravates the development of symptoms.
- Bite site... The lower extremities are most often affected, and then symptoms will develop slowly. But snake bites happen in the neck, in the face, and in the location of large blood vessels - the symptoms will develop rapidly.
- Human behavior after a bite... If the bitten person actively moves and runs, then the spread of snake venom throughout the body will pass faster - the intensity of the symptoms will be powerful.
First aid for a poisonous snake bite
So, everything has already happened - a man was bitten by a poisonous snake. What to do in this case, how to help the victim and prevent the development of severe complications?
First, it is necessary to lay the bitten person in a horizontal position and try to calm him down - anxiety, tantrums and panic will definitely not help. If the snake is fixed on the skin at the site of the bite (by the way, this happens often), it must be removed and destroyed, but not thrown away anywhere - the reptile may be needed for examination by a specialist.
Secondly, if possible, immediately call ambulance, contact lifeguards or a recreation center, a hotel. While you are doing all these actions, carefully observe the victim - the absence of burning, swelling and pain at the site of the bite, most likely, indicates the non-toxicity of the snake.
Thirdly, the affected part must be freed from clothing and jewelry - they can put pressure on the bite site and provoke increased edema.
note: if the symptoms indicate that the person was bitten by a poisonous snake, then medical assistance must be provided immediately, without waiting for the arrival of the ambulance team!
Urgent Care:
- If a poisonous snake has bitten a limb, then it needs to be immobilized - a bandage or splint from scrap materials (board, branch) can be applied to the leg or arm.
- It is advisable to suck out the poison from the wound within a maximum of 10 minutes after the incident. If you have a rubber bulb with you, then we work with it, if not, we use our mouth. First, you need to pinch the bite wounds between your fingers and gently knead them - this will help to "open" them, then we grab the bite with our teeth and begin to actively suck out the poison, helping with our fingers (as if "squeezing"). We immediately spit out the poison with saliva, the duration of this procedure should not exceed 20 minutes - during this time, 50% of the total amount of poison that has gotten can be removed from the body.
- We treat the bite site with a disinfectant - hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, brilliant green are suitable. Do not treat the wound with alcohol.
- A bandage or any piece of clean tissue is applied to the wound. In no case should it be tight - this fact is checked by inserting a finger under the bandage (it should pass freely).
- Cold is applied to the bite site - ice is the best option. If this type of cooling is used, then every 5-7 minutes you need to take a break in the procedure for 5 minutes - this will prevent tissue frostbite.
- The victim is given antihistamines - Tavegil, Diphenhydramine, Loratadin. If possible, then such funds are administered intramuscularly.
- The bitten person should drink a lot of liquid - up to 5 liters of water per day. This will help reduce the manifestations of intoxication in the body. It is necessary to give the patient vitamins K and C, and if possible, put a dropper with glucose (5% solution in an amount of 400 ml).
- The victim is given glucocorticosteroid drugs (Prednisolone or Dexamethasone), they can be administered intramuscularly.
- If a person is bitten by a Central Asian cobra, then his breathing may be disturbed. To alleviate his condition, you need to periodically apply a cotton swab moistened with ammonia to your nose.
- If respiratory and heart failure develop rapidly, then Caffeine, Ephedrine or Cordiamine are administered to the bitten one.
- In case of complete cessation of breathing and heartbeat, the patient undergoes artificial respiration and chest compressions.
What not to do when bitten by a poisonous snake
The problem is that people, when bitten by a poisonous snake, begin to perform actions that can lead to the development of severe complications. It is necessary to clearly remember what in no case can be done in the condition under consideration:
- cauterize the bite site;
- apply heat to the affected area;
- putting a tourniquet on the affected limb - this leads to the rapid and deep spread of the poison in the tissue;
- cut the bite site to drain the poison;
- take any alcoholic beverages;
- ice a limb for a long time;
Antidotes
Snake venom poisoning involves the introduction of specific serums (antidotes) - it is advisable to do this on the first day after the bite. In the future, if necessary, you can enter another dose of serum.
Serum "Antihyurza"
If a person is bitten by a viper-like snake, then he needs to enter the type of antidote in question in the first hours after the defeat. This remedy will help prevent the development of anaphylactic shock. Moreover, it must be administered according to a certain scheme and only in the subscapularis region subcutaneously:
- 0.1 ml of the agent is injected;
- after 15 minutes, another 0.25 ml is introduced;
- if there are no signs of anaphylactic shock, then the patient is injected with all the remaining serum (it is produced in ampoules of 500 IU).
If the degree of poisoning is mild, then a maximum of 1000 IU of serum is administered to a person, with an average degree - 2000 IU, with a severe degree - 3000 IU.
Serum "Atikobra"
This serum is administered for snake bites from the family of aspids and Central Asian cobra. This antidote is introduced in an amount of 300 ml with simultaneous intravenous infusion of Proserin solution and Atropine sulfate solution at 0.5 mg every half hour.
Note: treatment for a poisonous snake bite is carried out only in a medical institution under the supervision of medical professionals. Appointments are made on a strictly individual basis, taking into account the general health of the victim, his age and the intensity of the symptoms of poisoning.
There are no specific preventive measures to prevent poisonous snake bites. But there is a list of rules of behavior when meeting with such reptiles:
The bite of a poisonous snake is unpleasant and even dangerous. But if you take measures to prevent the spread of poison in the body, correctly conduct first aid, then the consequences will not be terrible for human health and life.
Tsygankova Yana Alexandrovna, medical commentator, therapist of the highest qualification category
Snake bites can be very dangerous - everyone knows about it. However, you need to act differently in different situations.
It is important to be able to distinguish between different snakes, and before you go to a certain place (especially on a trip to Africa), it is better to clarify in the directory which snakes live specifically where you will be.
Snakes are harmless, albeit poisonous. And it's not a paradox - some species live far from where humans live. And even if they feel that a person is somewhere close, they simply go further without attacking him.
Some species of snakes, like humans, have their own character. The snake can attack when it is angry and hungry, and it can even react calmly to aggression. Here, too, much depends on the species.
Poisonous snakes that attack people are especially dangerous. Usually they develop tremendous speed, at which it is impossible to hide from the snake even on a bicycle.
Types of snake venom
What kind of help should be for a snake bite depends on its type, the composition of the venom and its type. There are two types of poisons in total:
- paralytic. A dangerous type of poison. When exposed to it, the respiratory organs are paralyzed, because of which a person can stop breathing and die;
- dangerous to blood. In the blood, poison breaks down vital cells, causing spasms. Soft tissues and organs suffer from spasm. Although slower to act, this type of poison can be very dangerous.
What to do if bitten by a snake
If in the group another person is bitten by a snake, it is important to give him first aid. Moreover, other people should do this, which will allow the victim to avoid excessive movements, and this will slow down the passage of poison through the blood.
General rules for snake bites are:
- take off clothes if the snake has bitten it (most of the poison can be concentrated on it);
- treat the wound by removing all the poison that remained at the wound;
- you can press on the place around the bite (if it is a hand, it should be done so that the soft tissues around the wound are pressed against the bone structure so that the poison can come out with blood (all of it still will not come out, but you can reduce the concentration);
- if too dangerous, you need to have a medicine with you and after removing the poison around the wound, take it;
- if there is no medicine, and there is a medic in the group, you can make cuts around the wound in the shape of a cross, and then press on the wound so that the poison comes out (again, all the same will not come out anyway);
- poison can be sucked from the wound, but only within 15 minutes after the bite. This is important if it takes more than an hour to get to the medical facility or the victim is very panicky. Only a person who does not experience problems with bleeding gums needs to suck out the poison. If they are there - in no case should one start the procedure - hell will get into the blood, and then two people will need help.
This is especially important to understand when hiking in the desert, where a lot of snakes can live in spite of the whole way of absence of life in this area. However, it is better to study in more detail.
If a person is bitten by a snake on the leg, it is better to tie it to the other leg and take it to the hospital in a horizontal position.
If the snake has bitten your hand, you need to urgently remove the rings from all fingers, bend your arm at the elbow and remain calm.
If possible, it is better to put the bitten one. Even a sitting position has a negative effect on the spread of poison.
Important: Drink plenty of water. Water helps reduce toxicity. This is not a panacea, but it helps with dangerous bites and long-term transportation to a medical facility.
Snake Bite Myths
There are ways to deal with snake bites that don't really do any good, but only cause more harm.
Application of a tourniquet. “It is necessary to put on a tourniquet so that the poison does not spread throughout the body” - in no case should this be done.
If you stop the blood flow, the poison will be concentrated in one part of the body. It will not be idle, but will begin to be absorbed into the internal veins.
This can be dangerous. Also, due to squeezing with a tourniquet, edema is formed, the poison is combined with the tissues - they become inflamed, dehydrated.
Such actions can lead to serious consequences up to the need for amputation.
All differ in the animal world. Dangerous snakes they are different, therefore, when preparing a trip, you need to find out in advance how it is best to escape from the bite of a snake of this or that species that lives in the area.
There are simply no general methods of struggle and a universal remedy or antidote - this is a myth.
It is forbidden to take alcoholic beverages after a bite. Also, while traveling, it is undesirable to take alcohol at all, since in the event of a snakebite, the poison will be better absorbed.
The opinion that, having taken 100 grams, the bitten one will feel calmer is fundamentally wrong.
- More than 2 million people suffer from the bite of poisonous snakes in the world every year, of which about 120 thousand die.
- The aggressiveness of snakes grows during their molt and mating season.
- Most often, a snake attacks a person only in case of self-defense.
- The speed of the snake during the attack can reach 3.5 meters per second. During the throw, the snake travels up to 1/3 of its length.
- In 70% of cases, snake bites occur in the lower limbs of a person.
- The most severe bites of poisonous snakes occur in women, children and persons under the influence of alcohol.
Types of poisonous snakes
In Russia, there are 14 species of poisonous snakes, most often a person suffers from the bites of reptiles of three families: 1) the family of already-like, 2) the family of vipers, 3) the family of aspids.Family of already-like
:
Copperhead ordinary
The bites of these snakes do not pose a danger to health and to life. However, the bite is accompanied by painful sensations and wound suppuration may develop.
Family of vipers
The viper's head is shaped like a spearhead. The shields covering the head are small and practically do not differ from those on the body. The eyes are small in size, over which a small ridge protrudes. The head is separated from the body by a sharp cervical interception. The body is short and thick. The tail is blunt, short. The snake is peaceful enough, bites only if it is pursued, grabbed by the hands or stepped on. At the sight of a person, the viper is always in a hurry to crawl away, hide or lie quietly.
The mortality rate after being bitten by a common viper is about 1%. This is due to the fact that the viper injects a small amount of poison into the victim. She saves it, since the production of poison is a very energy-intensive process and takes a lot of energy from the snake.
Poison injection mechanism
The viper has large hollow canines with a deep groove. The snake injects poison into the victim due to the reflex contraction of the temporal muscles that surround the venom glands.
When bitten, the poison can get under the skin, into muscle tissue or into the lumen of the victim's vessel. The bite into the lumen of the vessel is more difficult, due to the fact that the poison spreads faster throughout the body, causing various disorders. There may be cases when the bite occurs with one canine, as a result of which a smaller dose of poison is injected and the poisoning proceeds more easily.
The components of the poison and their effect on the body
The main components of the poison are enzymes that break down different kinds tissues (hyalorunidase, phospholipase, protease), as well as toxic amino acids, proteins and carbohydrates.
- Hyaluronidase - splits connective tissue, destroys the walls of small capillaries, increases the permeability of tissues for water and ions.
- Phospholipase - splitting the lipid layer of erythrocytes, leads to their destruction (hemolysis of erythrocytes).
Viper venom - contains hyaluronidase and phospholipase and destroys the walls of blood vessels, erythrocytes, proteins, forms blood clots inside the vessels, leading to impaired blood circulation. In addition, the poison disrupts cardiac and liver function, as well as disrupts the water-mineral balance.
The poison in the body mainly spreads through the lymphatic vessels, less with the blood flow and nerve fibers.
Poison is excreted through the mucous membrane gastrointestinal tract, glands of external secretion (mammary glands) and kidneys.
How does a viper attack?
Symptoms of a poisonous snake bite
Most often, the bites of non-venomous snakes leave only small scratches on the body. The bite of a poisonous snake leaves deep punctures from the teeth through which poison is injected.
Local symptoms of a viper bite
- 1 or 2 small dots from snake teeth
- Relatively mild pain at the bite site
- Burning
- Redness
- Swelling after 10-30 minutes, sometimes significant
- Possible presence of small-point hemorrhages, bloody blisters
- Possible areas of skin death
- The skin becomes purple-bluish in color
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Heartbeat
- Decrease in body temperature
With severe intoxication:
- Confusion of consciousness
- Weakness
- Pallor of the skin
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Cold extremities
- As the symptoms increase, there is: fever, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness is possible, the development of renal failure.
3. The family of asps
- Central Asian cobra
Description: the color of the upper body is from light olive to brown, the abdomen is light, yellowish. The pupil is large. Transverse stripes, the younger the snake, the brighter they are; with age, the stripes on the abdomen disappear. The scales of the snake are smooth. Cobra warns of an attack: it expands the neck, emits a loud hiss, raises the front of the body. Often the cobra will perform a false attack without using a bite. With such an attack, the cobra only hits the enemy with its head with its mouth closed, thereby protecting the poisonous teeth from possible breakage and preserving the poison.
The components of the poison and their effect on the body:
- Main toxins: neurotoxin - acting on nerve cells, as well as a toxin acting on the heart muscle - cardiotoxin;
- Damaging enzymes: phospholipase, hyaluronidase, cholinesterase.
Local symptoms:
- Burning pain in the area of \u200b\u200bthe bite (subsides within a few hours)
- Swelling (less severe than swelling from a viper bite)
- Skin color in the area of \u200b\u200bthe bite is not changed
- Bloody fluid oozes from the wound for a while.
- The functions of the affected limb are impaired, paralysis develops, which begins to spread upward, capturing the muscles of the trunk, face, eyelids, lower jaw drop, and the movement of the eyeballs is disrupted.
- Intoxication develops quickly, almost immediately after the bite
- Weakness
- Unclear concern
- Impaired coordination of movements, wobbly gait
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea
- Hiccups
- Vomiting
- Swallowing disorder
- Salivation
- Speech is impaired, which becomes slurred, soundless.
- Cardiac activity is weakened
- Possibly involuntary urination and defecation
- Death can occur from respiratory arrest after 2-7 hours
What determines the severity of the bite?
- The body weight of the victim, the less the weight, the more severe the reaction to the bite is. Snake bites are especially difficult for small children.
- Health status (presence of concomitant diseases);
- The bite site (more dangerous are bites in the neck and head area, as well as when the bite falls into a blood vessel);
- The higher the air temperature, the faster the symptoms of intoxication develop;
- The size of the snake (the larger the snake, the more venom it has);
- The amount of poison injected. Sometimes it happens that the bite may be completely harmless and contain no poison. This situation can occur if the snake has recently used poison and it has not yet had time to develop. The viper's venom accumulates gradually.
How to assess the severity of poisoning?
| Snakes | Power gravity poisoning | Pain | Edema | Bloody bubbles | Tissue destruction (necrosis) | Muscle twitching | Common signs |
| Vipers and pit vipers | Easy | Local and only in the first hours after the bite | Minor in the area of \u200b\u200bthe bite | no | no | no | In rare cases, mild shortness of breath and palpitations in the first hours after the bite |
| Average | Burning | expressed | Rarely. When applying a tourniquet - often; | rarely | no | Shortness of breath, palpitations, rarely nausea and fever, impaired blood circulation | |
| Heavy | Burning with spread | Pronounced, extending to the entire limb or part of the trunk | often | often | no | Drowsiness in the first hours, shortness of breath, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, impaired liver and kidney function, severe circulatory disorders. | |
| Asps and sea \u200b\u200bsnakes | Easy | Local pain 1-2 hours after the bite. | rarely | no | no | no | A short-term feeling of stiffness and impaired sensitivity of the affected limb. |
| Average | Also | rarely | no | no | Weak, quickly passing, tremors of the eyelids and fingers | General weakness, feeling of numbness and stiffness of the affected limb, dysfunction of the lower limbs. | |
| Heavy | Of indeterminate character, spreading throughout the body. | minor | no | no | Severe, especially limbs, finger cramps | Lethargy, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, paresis and paralysis of the limbs, lips, tongue, visual impairment. | |
First aid for a snake bite
What should not be done when bitten by a snake?
- Apply a tourniquet. The tourniquet dramatically disrupts blood circulation in the area of \u200b\u200bthe bite and significantly increases the degree of tissue damage. The imposition of a tourniquet for 20-30 minutes sharply worsens the general condition of the patient.
- To make incisions in order for the "poisoned blood" to flow out, there is a high probability of damaging a nerve, vessel or tendon, as well as causing an infection.
- Cauterize the bite site.
- You can not take alcohol, it only accelerates the spread of poison.
- Chipping the bite site with novocaine or adrenaline, impairs local blood supply, aggravates tissue damage.
What to do, step by step guide
| Step by step guide: | How? | What for? |
 |
| After the bite, the poison instantly begins to spread through the vessels of the lymphatic and circulatory system. By opening the punctures made by the snake's teeth, the efficiency of extracting the venom is increased. The fact that poison can enter the body from the oral cavity and cause poisoning, especially with wounds or diseased teeth, is only a theory that is not confirmed in practice. Thousands of professional snake catchers use this technique, and no poisoning cases have been reported. Timely suction of the venom saves lives and reduces complications from a bite. Timely initiated reception of poison suction is able to remove up to 50% of the injected poison. |
 | Any antiseptic will do, however, it is better not to use alcohol and alcoholic solutions, since alcohol accelerates the penetration of poison into the body:
| Disinfection of the wound is performed in order to prevent infection and the development of a suppurative process. The venom of the viper has an antimicrobial effect, therefore, disinfection of the wound should be carried out only if the venom was sucked out. |
 | After being bitten, completely restrict movement in the bitten limb. Put on the tire. If possible, take a horizontal position, maintaining complete peace and tranquility. Remove rings and bracelets if the bite is in your hand. | Any movement in the limb accelerates the movement of blood and lymph through the vessels, which accelerates the spread of poison throughout the body. Rings and bracelets can make swelling worse. |
 | The entire limb in which the bite fell should be wrapped. The bandage should comfortably squeeze the limb, while not causing concern, so that the finger can easily penetrate the bandage. The bandage pressure on the upper limb should be 40-70 mm Hg. and 55-70 for the lower limb. | Moderately tight bandage, squeezes the lymphatic vessels and superficial veins, which slows down the spread of poison throughout the body and does not disrupt tissue nutrition, which is carried out by deep veins and arteries. However, excessive dressing pressure can cause local tissue damage due to the complete lack of blood circulation in this area. |
 | You can use ice, be sure to wrap it in a towel or other cloth. Beware of frostbite, as soon as you feel unpleasant sensations, remove for a while (5-7 minutes). | Cold on the bite area slows down the spread of poison and the development of an inflammatory reaction, reduces swelling and pain. |
| Take antihistamines: Suprastin, diphenhydramine, pipolfen - inject 1 ml 1% intramuscularly or inside suprastin: 2 tab. 3 p. per day, Loratadin: 1tab. in a day; Levocetirizine: 1 tab. in a day; If possible, administer glucocorticoid drugs:
| Antihistamines block the action of histamine, one of the main substances of inflammation and allergic reactions. Hormonal agents like prednisone have powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-shock effects. |
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| A large amount of fluid intake accelerates the elimination of toxins from the body. Alkaline drinking reduces the toxicity of the viper venom. Vitamins accelerate the metabolic processes of detoxification. |
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| Cordiamine - stimulates respiratory and cardiovascular function. Ephedrine- increases strength and heart rate, narrows blood vessels, reduces edema, increases pressure, expands bronchi, stimulates the central nervous system. Caffeine- stimulates the respiratory and vasomotor center, increases the strength and heart rate, increases pressure, expands the bronchi, increases the formation and excretion of urine. |
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For the prevention of anaphylactic shock, serum is administered according to certain rules. At the beginning, 0.1 ml of serum is injected, after 10-15 minutes, 0.25 ml, if the reaction does not cause the entire remaining serum. The serum can also be used for cobra, karakurt and scorpion bites.
| The serum binds the components of the poison and eliminates the destructive effect of the poison on the body. Serum injected in time will save lives! The serum is most effective in the first hours of intoxication. |
Forecast
Under the conditions of modern treatment, the prognosis for a poisonous snakebite is favorable. Deaths are rare, more often due to the delayed treatment or severe concomitant diseases of the victim.Prevention
- Don't provoke the snake! The snake is a peaceful animal and will never attack itself.
- Do not step on the snake, be careful and watch your step.
- When you see a snake, do not scream or make sudden movements.
- Wear high boots and thick clothing when entering a potentially hazardous area.
- Make sure there is no snake there before walking through the thick and tall grass. Use a stick or other available means.
- Choose a suitable place to sleep. It is better that it was a hill with thin and low vegetation, away from rocks and holes.
- Do not leave tents open.
- Before getting into the sleeping bag, check for a snake.