Bites and Stings: Snake Bite

Remember To Send for Help – Call an Ambulance

General Symptoms of Snake Bite

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Profuse sweating

More Severe Symptoms of Envenomation

• Muscular pain / weakness
• Drooping of eyelids and drooling (early signs)
• Altered mental status
• Difficulty breathing
• Bleeding from nose and gums
• Seizures
• Paralysis
• Renal impairment / Failure

Treatment

• Keep the patient still, do not let them walk
• DO NOT WASH THE BITE SITE
• Cover the bite site with a dressing
• If the bite is on a limb, apply a wide crepe or elasticised bandage and start just above the fingers or toes.
• Firmly wrap as far as you can up the limb including the bite.
• Mark the bandage with an X above the bite site
• Further immobilise the limb by applying splints
• Write down the time of the bite and when the bandage was applied
• Manage for shock if needed

Note

Check blood supply below the bandage. If the limb is very pale or numb loosen the bandage a little