Please note that due to graphic images, I have decided to not post any photos on snakebite envenomation. The idea here, is to educate people and not scare them away. :) - Jason

 

Snakebite can be a nasty thing, or rather not the snakebite itself, but the envenomation that may follow. If you are bit by a snake there is a very simple rule to follow. If you could not identify the snake that bit you then you treat ANY snakebite as a medical emergency, until proven otherwise. In the Western Cape the three most venomous species which are most frequently encountered are the Cape Cobra (Naja nivea), Puff Adder (Bitis arietans) and the Boomslang (Dispholidus typus), any bite from either of these three species IS a medical emergency and should be treated as such.

 

There are three main Toxic Venom categories, Neurotoxic venom, Cytotoxic venom and Haemotoxic venom:

 

Neurotoxic Venom causes paralytic effects mediated at the neuromuscular junction. It acts on the nervous system and the brain. Symptoms usually begin within 30 minutes after envenomation.

 

Common symptoms include:

 

- Minor pain at the site of the bite

- Drowsiness and Vomiting

- Sweating

- Droopy Eyelids

- Blurred vision

- Slurred speach

- Breathing and swallowing difficulties

- Resparotory muscles gradually paralyzed

 

In the Western Cape, the snake responsible for the most Neurotoxic envenomations is the Cape Cobra (Naja nivea).

 

Cytotoxic Venom causes local and systemic injury due to the digestive enzymes in Cytotoxic venom. It acts as a localized action at the site of the bite. Pain and swelling appear almost immediately after envenomation.

 

Common symptoms include:

 

- Immediate burning pain

- Local Swelling around site of the bite

- Drowsiness

- Local Tissue Necrosis usually around 48 hours after the bite

- Bacterial infection is also a major concern

 

In the Western Cape, the snake responsible for the most Cytotoxic envenomations is the Puff Adder (Bitis arietans).

 

Haemotoxic Venom causes irregularities to the victoms blood, preventing it from clotting. It acts on the heart and the cardiovascular system and is a rather slow acting coagulating venom.

 

Common symptons include:

 

- Minimal Swelling

- Minor Pain

- Headaches

- Mental Confusion

- Nausea / Vomiting

- Sweating

- Bleeding from mucous membranes

- Severe internal bleeding roughly around 12 - 36 hours after exposure to the venom.

 

In the Western Cape, the snake responsible for the most Haemotoxic envenomations is the Boomslang (Dispholidus typus).

 

Emergency Procedure's, Do's and Dont's

 

It is critically important to follow the correct procedures in the unfortunate event of snakebite

 

DONT's:

 

- DO NOT attempt to kill the snake, another snakebite victim would not help the situation.

- DO NOT cut or squeeze the wound.

- DO NOT apply suction.

- DO NOT apply electric shock treatment to the victim.

- DO NOT consume alcohol or any liquids, water is allowed in very small quantities.

- DO NOT use Tourniquets (Rubber bandages, belts, strings). Tourniquets stop blood flow and if not used correctly can cause extremely severe tissue damage and the loss of limbs. "UNLESS the bite is from a Cape Cobra (Naja nivea) or a Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) (Not indigenous to the Western Cape) and medical help is hours away", then avoid a tourniquet at all costs.

- DO NOT apply any form of herbal remedies to the wound.

- In the case of Cytotoxic envenomation DO NOT use a pressure bandage.

- DO NOT allow direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids between yourself and the victim.

- Once again DO NOT attempt to kill the snake.

 

DO'S:

 

- DO remove any constrictive items, such as shoes, rings, watches and tight clothing.

- DO keep the victim still.

- DO expose the wound by removing clothing around it and flushing away excess venom with water or a clean wet cloth.

- DO call for help. Everyone has a cellphone, make good use of it. Alert the nearest hospital and inform them that you have a snakebite victim.

- DO maintain a clear airway. This accounts to highly venomous snakes with Neurotoxic venom such as the Cape Cobra (Naja nivea). Clear away any excess saliva with a cotton swab or piece of clean clothing. Artificial respiration most likely, will be required.

- DO keep the victim calm and reassured.

- DO apply a pressure bandage, this matters ONLY in the case of a confirmed identification of a venomous snake with Neurotoxic venom such as the Cape Cobra (Naja nivea).

- DO immobilise the limb, a splint can be used to immobilise the limb just below the level of the heart if possible.

- DO consider antivenom treatment if required and if it is on hand. Antivenom should always be injected Intravenously (Directly into a vein).

- DO attempt to take a photo of the snake for identification purposes. Do this from a safe distance and be careful.

- DO carry the victim to the nearest vehicle. Keep the amount of movement to the minimum for the victim.

 

Unless in the case of serious envenomation, the administering of antivenom should not be required. Each snakebite envenomation affects each person differently, once medical help has been sought, symptoms should ALWAYS be treated symptomatically. You treat the symptom and not the cause, this is especially important if the snake was not identified. For some people and in some circumstances, having a allergic reaction to antivenom can be worse than the snakebite envenomation itself, however if you are being treated in a medical environment and you do have a allergic reaction, it shouldn't be to life threatening as doctors are well fit to combat Anaphylaxis Shock. Don't be scared to say this to the person treating you.