snake bit

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Faculty of Medicine

Ain shams universi

Department of toxi

SNA

y

ology

KE BIEdite

Ahme

SUPE

DR.

ESBY/Mohammed

d Ghanem

RVISOR /

ARY

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Snake bites by Mohamed A. Ghanem 2008

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Aim of the search

To spot light on snake bites types.

To spot light on effects of snake bites.

To spot light on first aid in case of bit.

Treatment procedure of snake bite.

To spot light on mechanism of snake venoum.

Introduction

Snakes often bite their prey when feeding, but occasionally they also bite humans.

People can avoid and treat snakebites by knowing their etiology, along with prevention

tips, and first-aid and hospital treatment.

ENVENOMATION

Most snakebites are caused by non-venomous snakes. Of the roughly 3,000 known

species of snake found worldwide, only 15 percent are considered dangerous to

humans.Snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica.

Venomatous snakes : Poisonous snake bites include bites by any of the following:Cobra , Copperhead

,Coral snake ,Cottonmouth (water moccasin),Rattlesnake.

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Snake bites

Frequency and statistics :

resulting in perhaps 125,00

the summer season whentropical regions report mor

and between 17 and 27 ye

morbidity (fig.1).

[Fig. 1]

PREVENTI Avoid areas where s

Even though most s

any snake unless yo

If you hike often, co

stores). Do not use

and suction bulbs.

Don't provoke a sna

Tap ahead of you wi

see your feet. Snak When hiking in an a

possible.

SymptomsIn principle, snake venoms

by Mohamed A. Ghanem

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some estimates put the number at 2.5 m

0 deaths. Worldwide, snakebites occur

nakes are active and humans are outdosnakebites than anywhere else. Victims

rs of age. Map showing global distributi

Nnakes may be hiding, such as under roc

akes are not poisonous, avoid picking u

u have been properly trained.

sider buying a snake bite kit (available f

lder snake bite kits, such as those cont

ke. That is when many serious snake bit

th a walking stick before entering an are

s will try to avoid you if given enough wea known to have snakes, wear long pa

act in three 'different' ways:

2008

illion bites per year,

ost frequently in

ors. Agricultural andare typically male

on of snakebite

s and logs.

p or playing with

om hiking supply

ining razor blades

s occur.

where you can't

rning.ts and boots if

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Snake bites

1. haemotoxins, ie veno

ability of the blood to

2. neurotoxins, ie venommuscles and in the w

breathing.

3. cardiotoxins, ie veno

circulatory failure and

But as a number of

involved in poisonin

there are often typic

Symptoms depend on the t

Bleeding from wound ,Blurr

,Dizziness ,Excessive swe

thirst ,Loss of muscle coor

,pulse ,Tissue death, Seve

WeaknessRattlesnake bite

a.Neurotoxic venom (Nerv

The casualty has sp

drooling.

Difficulty breathing.

Respiratory arrest.

Dizziness.

Tunnel vision or blur

Visible increase in s

Convulsions.

Unconsciousness.

This venom attacks

synaptic vesicles, rethe muscles.

b. Haemotoxic venom (poi

Often no pain or sy

Casualty feels letha

Nausea and vomitin

Constant bleeding f


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s that split (haemolyse) the red blood c

lot (coagulate).

s that in particular paralyse nerve transrst case paralyse the muscles involved i

s that have a direct harmful action on th

shock.

ther factors, including possible allergic r

, the situation is often far more complex

lly 'mixed' reactions and symptoms.

ype of snake, but may include:

ed vision ,Burning of the skin ,Convulsio

ting ,Fainting ,Fang marks in the skin ,F

ination ,Nausea and vomiting ,Numbnes

e pain, Skin discoloration, Swelling at th

are painful when they occur.

e destroying)

eech and swallowing difficulties often ac

red vision.

eating.

the central nervous system by causing a

sulting in the blockage of nerve impulses

soning of blood)

ptoms occur for 1 -3 hours and as long

rgic with headaches.

g may occur.

om the bite wound.

2008

lls, or affect the

ission to theswallowing and

heart and lead to

eactions, are also

and unclear, and

ns ,Diarrhea

ver ,Increased

s and tingling ,Rapid

site of the bite,

ompanied by

high loss of the

from the brain too

as 8 hours.

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Snake bites

Bruising as well as

Blood oozing from o

This venom affectsloss of blood throug

the organs will occu

TreatmentF i r s t a i d

1. Keep the person cal

emergency room. R

level to reduce the fl

2. If you have a pump

manufacturer's direc

3. Remove any rings

Create a loose splin

4. If the area of the bit

poisonous.


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lood spots may occur under the skin.

ther bodily openings.

the blood clotting mechanism, resulting ih the bodily openings and if left untreate

r.

a i d

m, reassuring them that bites can be eff

strict movement, and keep the affected

ow of venom.

uction device (such as that made by Sa

tions.

r constricting items because the affecte

to help restrict movement of the area.

begins to swell and change color, the s

2008

headaches, andinternal bleeding of

ctively treated in an

area below heart

yer), follow the

area may swell.

ake was probably

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5. Monitor the person's vital signs -- temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, and

blood pressure -- if possible. If there are signs of shock (such as paleness), lay

the person flat, raise the feet about a foot, and cover the person with a blanket.6. Get medical help right away.

7. Bring in the dead snake only if this can be done safely. Do not waste time

hunting for the snake, and do not risk another bite if it is not easy to kill the

snake. Be careful of the head when transporting it -- a snake can actually bite for

up to an hour after it's dead (from a reflex).

8. DO NOT

DO NOT allow the person to become over-exerted. If necessary, carry the

person to safety.

DO NOT apply a tourniquet.

DO NOT apply cold compresses to a snake bite.

DO NOT cut into a snake bite with a knife or razor.

DO NOT try to suck out the venom by mouth.

DO NOT give the person stimulants or pain medications unless a doctor tells you

to do so.

DO NOT give the person anything by mouth.

DO NOT raise the site of the bite above the level of the person's heart.

P R E S S U R E I M M O B I L I Z A T I O N :

pressure immobilization is not appropriate for cytotoxic bites such as those of

most vipers but is highly effective against neurotoxic venoms such as those of

most elapids. the object of pressure immobilization is to contain venom within a

bitten limb and prevent it from moving through the lymphatic system to the vital

organs in the body core

a.Neurotoxic venom

Keep casualty calm and advise not to move. Either sitting or lying down.

Cover the site of the bite with a clean dressing and apply a pressure bandage

from the start of the limb then wrapping towards the bite area. Splint and elevate the limb if possible.

If a suction syringe is available, then use on the site of the bite within three

minutes, any time after that would be prove useless. Dont use your mouth to

suck the venom out as you may have a cut or mouth ulcer where the venom can

enter through.

Dont cut the sight of the bite as this may lead to infection of the wound.

Keep the airways open and monitor respiration and heart rate.

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Mouth to mouth respiration may be required to keep the casualty alive.

Try to identify the snake if possible but dont waste time doing this. Dont try

catching the snake if it is still alive as this may result in another snake-bite. Transport casualty to hospital promptly.

Neurotoxic venom is extremely powerful, so a tourniquet may be used if the

casualty is far from any hospital. The tourniquet should be released and put back

on every 10 15 minutes to allow for blood circulation.

b.Haemotoxic venom

Keep casualty calm and advise not to move. Either sitting or lying down.

Cover the site of the bite with a clean dressing and apply a pressure bandage

from the start of the limb, then wrapping towards the bite area.

Splint and elevate the limb if possible.

If a suction syringe is available, then use on the site of the bite within three

minutes, any time after that would be prove useless. Dont use your mouth to

suck the venom out as you may have a cut or mouth ulcer where the venom can

enter through.

Dont cut the sight of the bite as this may lead to infection of the wound.

Keep the airways open and monitor respiration and heart rate.

Try to identify the snake if possible but dont waste time doing this. Dont try

catching the snake if it is still alive as this may result in another snake-bite.

Transport casualty to hospital promptly.

Anti-venom

Anti-venom is made up of the antibodies from horses, sheep, goats, rabbits or

dogs blood. Horses are more commonly used as more blood can be tapped.

These animals are injected with small, non-lethal doses of venom over a period

of time, with the dosage slowly increased. Their immune systems respond by

creating antibodies to attack the venom. Once the animal is immune to the

venom, the antibodies are then extracted to make anti-venom.

Horse serum often causes serum sickness which is when the immune system

reacts against the foreign proteins in the serum, the reaction can cause kidney

failure and even death.

Sheep serum is made by a purified fraction of the plasma, specifically refined

antibody fragments and is a lot safer to use. Sheep serum is used for the

treatment of the American rattlesnake bites.

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A.Monovalent anti-venom this is made by injecting the venom of a specific

species of snake into an animal to develop the anti-venom. This is effective

against one specific snake species.

B.Polyvalent anti-venom this is made by injecting the venom from a variety of

different snake species into an animal to develop the anti-venom. This is effective

against a broad range of snake species.

References

1. Wikipedia the free encyclopedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

T I T L E S N A K E B I T

2. Article base T I T L E S N A K E V E N O M S Y M P T O M S A N D

T R E A T M E N T

http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/types-of-snake-venom-symptoms-and-treatment-543049.html

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