Non-poisonous snake bite

Skin | Emergency Medicine | Non-poisonous snake bite (Disease)


Description

Although the majority of snake species are non-venomous and typically kill their prey with constriction rather than venom, venomous snakes can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Snakes often bite their prey as a method of hunting, but also for defensive purposes against predators. Since the physical appearance of snakes may differ, there is often no practical way to identify a species and professional medical attention should be sought.

The outcome of snake bites depends on numerous factors, including the species of snake, the area of the body bitten, the amount of venom injected, and the health conditions of the victim. Feelings of terror and panic are common after a snakebite and can produce a characteristic set of symptoms mediated by the autonomic nervous system, such as a racing heart and nausea. Bites from non-venomous snakes can also cause injury, often due to lacerations caused by the snakes teeth, or from a resulting infection. A bite may also trigger an anaphylactic reaction, which is potentially fatal. First aid recommendations for bites depend on the snakes inhabiting the region, as effective treatments for bites inflicted by some species can be ineffective for others.

Causes and Risk factors

A snakebite is an injury caused by a bite from a snake, often resulting in puncture wounds inflicted by the animals fangs and sometimes resulting in envenomation.

Diagnosis and Treatment

In order to treat the snake bite wound care is performed. Treatment of any other injuries (tendon, nerve, blood vessels) is undertaken. ...