Venomous Snakebite Overview: 
A Venomous Snakebite is an injury or wound sustained when you’re bitten by a snake. A snakebite can be dangerous if a snake is venomous. Even though some are dry bites, which may not be as dangerous as venomous bite, it will only cause some swelling in the particular position the biting take place, while the venomous bites are such a dangerous one, which, if not treated carefully and quickly, can result in instant death.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!It is usually very advisable to always seek immediate medical attention if you’ve been bitten by a snake, as it could be a matter of life and death. Thousands of snakebites cases are reported yearly in US statistics.
Even a bite from a harmless snake shouldn’t be neglected (non-venomous bite) as it can result to a severe injury if not treated with care in the future leading to swelling of infected body parts, reddish in color and many other symptoms.
However, the most significant thing you can do when you are bitten by a snake include cleaning the wound, remaining calm, and immobilizing the affected area. Also, it’s necessary to get to a medical facility immediately for emergency treatment. If treated in time, the outlook for recovery is good.
Symptoms of venomous snakebite
– Redness, swelling, bruising, bleeding, or blistering around the bite
– Severe pain and tenderness at the site of the bite
– Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
– Labored breathing (in extreme cases, breathing may stop altogether)
– Rapid heart rate, weak pulse, low blood pressure
– Disturbed vision
– Metallic, mint, or rubber taste in the mouth
– Increased salivation and sweating
– Numbness or tingling around face and/or limbs
– Rashes allover the body of the person bitten by snake
– Muscle twitching
Snakebite are usually very painful with swelling in the wounded area of the bite. People who notice they have been bitten by a venomous snake should be moved immediately to a health facility without delay. The commencement of first aid should be made without delay. Any form of traditional or local treatments such as wound incision or excision, suction, or application of “black stones” or “use of onion in the affected place” should be be averted completely.
Research proves that a whole lots of people die every year on the way to a health facility as a result of being transported lying flat on their backs and having their upper airway obstructed by vomit, or paralysis of muscles in the tongue. Keep them on their left side with mouth turned down so that the risk of this is reduced.
How to prevent venomous snakebite
a. Use light when working/walking at night especially when working in the bush to enable you notice any snake movement ahead of time, because it is said that snakes are more active at night.
b. It is advisable you wear jeans and boots always as a form of protection against the bite
c. Always know where you puts your legs and hands when you are the bush especially at night.
d. Don’t put your legs or hands in any whole you don’t know.
Lets look at the 8 major factor to consider when treating a venomous snakebite
8 Major Factor to Consider When Treating a Venomous Snakebite
1. Use bondage to separate the injured area from the rest of the other parts of the body to prevent the circulation of the venous in the other parts of the body: The use of pressure immobilisation bandage is usually recommended to any bitten by snake especially when it has to do with legs, arms to help separate the injured area of the body from the instant circulation of the poisonous venoms across the body. Ensure you firmly bandage the area of the body involved (such as an arm or leg), and keep the person calm and still until medical help arrives. And
2. Rings and watches should be removed before swelling starts: Swelling of the effected parts of the body where the snakebite take place is one of the major signs and symptoms of snakebite. However, it is recommended that the victim of a snakebite should remove his or her watch and rings immediately before the swelling starts.
3. The one bitten by venomous snake should not be allowed to drink water: One who are bitten by snake shouldn’t be allowed to drink water, alcohols or other liquid substance in the name of preventive medicines. As it has a way of affecting or increasing the pains and leading to instant death. However, it is advisable you stay away from drink any kind caffeinated or any type of alcoholic beverage as a painkiller.
4. They should be allowed to rest and help them stay calm and cool: Patient who are bitten by snake should be allowed to rest and stay cool, calm and peaceful to ease the pains before calling 911 to take the person to the hospital.
5. Emergency line should be dilled immediately to help take the patient to the hospital: Immediately move away from the area where the bite occurred. If the snake is still attached use a stick or tool to make it let go. Sea snake victims need to be moved to dry land to avoid drowning, call 911 immediately to help take the patient to the hospital without any further delay.
6. Ensure you take the picture of the snake to help the doctors know the exact medication to commence: Most importantly, take the picture of the snake as it will enable the health specialist to identify whether the bite is from a venomous snake or non-venomous snake.
7. The affected area should be washed to enable the medical experts identify the type of snake: While looking for any form of help or assistants if bitten by snake, try to keep the bite below heart level and wash the area of the bite with warm, soapy water. Then cover it to keep it clean and dry. Then call the doctors for urgent attention.
8. Finally, the use of Antivenoms: The use of antivenoms remain the best and the basic treatment that can potentially prevent or reverse most of the effects of snakebite envenoming when administered early in an adequate therapeutic dose and at the appropriate time. Antivenoms helps to boosts the immune system of the person bitten by venomous snake. Doctors give it to victims with significant symptoms if appropriate and available.
This therapy can be lifesaving or limb-saving. Antivenom can occasionally also cause allergic reactions, or even anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening type of shock that needs fast treatment with epinephrine and other medications..
Other therapy that are helpful in treating snakebite
Considering other treatment in addition to antivenom, other medical treatments should also be applied, such includes administration of other drugs, artificial respiration, kidney dialysis, wound care and treatments, reconstructive surgery and prosthesis as well as comprehensive rehabilitation services, are needed to effectively treat snakebite patients. Some drugs known as anticholinesterases can be helpful in restoring neuromuscular function after the bites of some species of neurotoxic venomous snakes.
Finally
Snakebite is such a dangerous incident as it is a matter of life and death. However, several drugs are also being explored for their potential to act as anti-necrotic agents, reducing the local tissue damage that can lead to severe disability and even amputation, after some snake bites.