Snake Bites

Snakes in North America are usually relatively harmless creatures but people do get bit by them every year. Regardless of what kind of snake, snake bites should always receive professional medical attention. Poisonous snake bites should see professional attention within 30 minutes if possible.

After being bitten by a snake, the first thing to do is wash the bite area with soap and water, regardless of what kind of snake. If bitten by a poisonous snake, you will want to immobilize the bitten area and keep it lower than the heart.

There are snake bite kits that are commercially sold that are small enough to carry on hikes and camping trips. When bitten by a poisonous snake, you will want to try to suck out the venom right away. Since people's mouths do carry germs, the snake bite kits do have suction cups that can do the job.

After the bite area is cleaned and venom suctioned out if needed, you will want to cover the bite area with a cool compress or moistened dressing to minimize the swelling.

You will want to use a constriction method of wrapping a bandage or cord three to four inches above the bite area if bitten by a poisonous snake. This should not be so tight as to cut off the blood flow. Snake poision works its way up through the lymphatic system and not the blood.

With poisonous snake bites, it is important to see a medical professional as soon as possible to get antivenin.