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SNAKE BITES Mary Carroll-Ambrose

SNAKE BITES Mary Carroll-Ambrose. Myths About Snakes. Snakes hold their tails in their mouths to create a circle and will chase you. When you kill a snake, another one will chase you. What is true is that excessive killing of snakes leads to over population of rodents and more diseases.

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SNAKE BITES Mary Carroll-Ambrose

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  1. SNAKE BITESMary Carroll-Ambrose

  2. Myths About Snakes • Snakes hold their tails in their mouths to create a circle and will chase you. • When you kill a snake, another one will chase you. • What is true is that excessive killing of snakes leads to over population of rodents and more diseases.

  3. Snake Bite Facts • There are about 8000 venomous snake bites reported each year in the US. • Only about 12 people die each year from snake bites. • The chances of getting bit by a snake are 1:10 million. • Victims of snake bites usually have two things in common; tattoos and alcohol.

  4. Snake Venom • Hemotoxic causing damage to the blood and other tissues.

  5. Snake Venom • Neurotoxic causing damage to the nerves. (smart fellow)

  6. Hemotoxin Symptoms • Intense pain • Weakness • Rapid pulse • Numbness/tingling • Bruising • Bleeding • Vomiting • Metallic taste • Confusion

  7. Neurotoxic Symptoms • Eyelid drooping (ptosis) • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) • Double vision (diplopia) • Excessive salivation • Sweating • Decreased reflexes • Respiratory depression • Paralysis

  8. General Rules for Treatment • Bitten area should be immobilzed • Transported to the hospital quickly • Area washed with soap and water • Wide tourniquet applied 2-4 inches above the bite if on an extremity • Incising and suctioning the bite area has not be shown to be helpful • Ice or cooling packs should never be applied as these have no benefit and may cause harm • Most importantly, victims of a snake bite should be evaluated in an ER as soon as possible

  9. Snake Bite Treatment • Reassurance-keep patient clam • Minimize all activity • Remove all jewelry • Do not incise the wound as this will cause further tissue damage • Do not use electrical shock at site as this will not work • Do not suction with your mouth as this will most likely cause more harm

  10. Snake Bite Treatment • Splint and immobilize the extremity • Maintain at heart level-do not elevate above the heart • Transport to ER asap-call ahead if possible as many ERs do not routinely carry anti-venom • Vipera palaestinae antivenin 20ml IV over 30 minutes • If symptoms are still present, 10ml IV over 30 minutes • Watch carefully for anaphylacic reactions

  11. References • www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=retrieve • Venomous Snake Bite Tretment Information by MedicineNet.com • Survive Outdoors inc.com

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