How would you feel if you suddenly see a snake while you are doing some work in the garden or walking on a forest path? It would be scary, wouldn't it? If you were to get bitten by that animal at such a time, you would feel even more scared. However, since we live in our country, seeing a snake and sometimes getting bitten can be a normal thing. But the most important thing is not to panic at such a time, but to be smart and know exactly what to do. Let's talk about this clearly today.
First, let's see, what is a snakebite?
Simply put, a snake bite is when a snake uses its fangs to pierce your skin, causing a wound. Snakes usually bite to capture their prey or to defend themselves when they feel threatened. This bite can be painful and sometimes life-threatening. This is because some snakes are venomous.
It's normal to feel scared when you see a snake. That fear can also have a psychological impact if you get bitten. But we must remember that not all snakes are poisonous.
What is the difference between Venom and Poison?
This is something that confuses many people. Let's understand this simply.
- A poison is something that is harmful to our bodies if we breathe it in, absorb it through our skin, or eat it.
- Venom is something that an animal introduces into our body through a bite or sting.
Here's a very simple way to remember: If you eat something and it makes you sick, it's poisonous. If an animal eats you and it makes you sick, that animal is venomous.
Therefore, when a snake bites, we are talking about snake "venom" and not "poison".
How does snake venom affect the body?
Venomous snakes have different types of venom. These venoms affect different systems in our body. There are several main types of venoms that can be identified.
| Venom Type | Effect on the body |
|---|---|
| Cytotoxins | The bite site will swell and damage tissue. The skin around the wound may turn black and ooze. |
| Toxins that affect blood vessels (Haemorrhagins) | It damages blood vessels and causes bleeding inside and outside the body. |
| Anti-clotting agents | It stops the blood clotting process, which can cause excessive bleeding even from a small wound. |
| Neurotoxins | It damages our nervous system. This can cause blindness, speech impairment, paralysis, and even death. The muscles that control breathing can become inactive. |
| Myotoxins (toxins that affect muscles) | It causes the body's muscles to break down. |
What are the symptoms of a snakebite?
Symptoms vary greatly depending on whether the snake is venomous or not.
If bitten by a non-venomous snake:
- A small wound or scratch at the site of the bite.
- Slight swelling.
- Skin redness.
- Maybe the child will bleed a little.
Symptoms that may occur if bitten by a poisonous snake:
This is what we need to be very careful about. Symptoms can appear one after another.
| Type of symptom | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Characteristics of the bite site | |
| Rough roads | One or two clearly visible rough lines on the skin. |
| Severe pain | Intense, burning pain at and around the bite site (in some snake bites, such as those from snakes and rattlesnakes, the pain may be less severe at first). |
| Swelling and skin discoloration | The area around the wound will quickly begin to swell. The skin may turn red, blue, or black. |
| Symptoms throughout the body | |
| General characteristics | Nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, salivation. |
| Characteristics related to the nervous system | Eye strain, blurred vision, difficulty speaking, dizziness, numbness in the face and limbs. |
| Bleeding | Bleeding from the gums, nose, or throat. Bleeding from a wound that does not stop. Blood in the urine. |
| Difficulty breathing | Shortness of breath, rapid breathing. |
| Other serious symptoms | Low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, loss of consciousness. |
Most importantly: Unless you are 100% sure whether the snake that bit you is venomous or not, treat every snake bite as a medical emergency. Don't wait until symptoms appear. Go to a hospital as soon as possible.
What to do and what not to do if bitten by a snake (first aid)
This part is the most important. Knowing these things correctly can even save a life. Let's break this down into two parts.
| ✔️ Things to do (Do's) | ❌ Don'ts |
|---|---|
| Stay calm: When you are anxious, your heart rate increases and toxins can spread throughout your body more quickly. So stay as calm as possible. | Don't chase the snake: Don't try to catch, kill, or identify the snake. You're more likely to get bitten again. |
| Stay away from the snake: Go to a safe place. | Don't cut the wound: Don't try to cut the wound to drain the blood like in the movies. This will make the wound worse and may lead to infection. |
| Seek help immediately: If possible, call the ambulance service on 1990. Or get someone to help you immediately go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital. | Do not suck out the poison: Do not try to suck out the poison by mouth. It will not help, and the poison may also get into the mouth of the person helping you. |
| Keep the bitten arm/leg immobile: Keep it below the level of the heart if possible. This can help slow down the spread of venom. | Do not tie a tourniquet around the wound: Do not tie a tight band around an arm or leg. This can cut off blood flow to the area, cause tissue death, and even lead to amputation. |
| Remove tight clothing and jewelry: Remove items like rings, bracelets, and watches before the bite area swells. | Do not put ice on the wound: Putting ice or putting it in water will not do any good. |
| Wash the wound with soap and water: If possible, gently wash the wound with clean water and soap, and cover it with a clean cloth. | Do not eat or drink anything: Do not eat or drink anything without medical advice. Especially alcohol and coffee. |
| Remember the snake's appearance: If possible, take a close look at the snake from a safe distance, taking notes on its color, shape, and length. This will help the doctor decide on a treatment. But never take unnecessary risks with this. | Do not take painkillers: Do not take painkillers like aspirin and ibuprofen without a doctor's advice. They can increase the risk of bleeding. |
What treatments are available at the hospital?
When you are brought to the hospital, the doctors will first examine you. They will use your symptoms and blood tests to help determine whether the snake that bit you was venomous or not.
- For a non-venomous bite: The wound can be cleaned thoroughly, a tetanus shot given, and medication to prevent infection if necessary, before being sent home.
- If the bite is venomous: The main treatment is to give antivenom . This is the only medicine that works against snake venom. It is given into the body through a saline solution. After the antivenom is given, you will be kept in the hospital for a few days and your condition will be closely monitored.
Sometimes, if too much blood has been lost from the body, it may be necessary to give blood, and if blood pressure is low, it may need to be treated.
Are there any side effects of the treatment?
Yes, some people may experience side effects after receiving antivenom. This is called `Serum sickness disease`. This usually occurs between 4 and 10 days after treatment. Symptoms include:
- Skin rashes
- Itching
- Joint pain
- Fever
- Swelling of the ankle
If any of these symptoms appear, notify your doctor immediately.
How to protect yourself from snake bites?
"Prevention is better than cure," they say. So be careful about these things to stay safe from snake bites.
- Be aware of your surroundings: Be mindful of your feet when walking in forested areas, in meadows, or in gardens.
- Wear appropriate footwear: When working in the garden or going out in the woods, wear something like boots that cover your feet well.
- Use a flashlight when walking in the dark: If you are going out at night, be sure to carry a flashlight.
- Be careful where you touch: Look carefully before touching piles of wood, rocks, or bushes. Snakes like to live in these places.
- Don't touch snakes: If you see a snake, don't touch it or chase it away. Be careful and stay away from it.
Take-Home Message
- Treat every snake bite as a serious medical emergency. Go to a hospital immediately, don't wait for symptoms to appear.
- Stay as calm as possible. Anxiety will cause the poison to spread throughout the body more quickly.
- Do not try to catch or kill a biting snake for any reason.
- Completely avoid first aid methods based on myths such as cutting the wound, sucking out the poison, and binding it tightly.
- Rapid and accurate medical treatment can save lives, even from a venomous snakebite. Therefore, it is very important to go to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) as soon as possible.
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