Chapter 18

Snake and Other Reptile Bites

Snake Bites�(1 of 6)

• In the United States, 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes annually.
• There are four types of venomous snakes:
• Rattlesnake
• Copperhead
• Water moccasin (cottonmouth)
• Coral snake

Snake Bites�(2 of 6)

© Dennis W. Donohue/Shutterstock.

© Rolf Nussbaumer/age fotostock.

© Shackleford-Photography/Shutterstock.

© Amee Cross/Shutterstock.

Snake Bites�(3 of 6)

• Snake bites can be painful, costly, and potentially deadly.
• Partial or complete loss of an extremity or finger or loss of movement in a joint can occur.
• Most people recover.

Snake Bites�(4 of 6)

• Rattlesnakes, copperheads, and water moccasins are pit vipers.
• Venomous snakes and nonvenomous snakes have differing features.

© Jones & Bartlett Learning.

© Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Snake Bites�(5 of 6)

• Coral snakes
• Small and colorful
• Series of bright red, yellow, and black bands around its body

© Rolf Nussbaumer/age fotostock.

Snake Bites�(6 of 6)

• At least one type of venomous snake is found in every state except Alaska, Hawaii, and Maine.

© Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Pit Vipers

• Pit vipers are found in every state but Alaska, Maine, and Hawaii.
• Rattlesnakes are the most widespread.
• Eastern and Western diamondback rattlesnakes account for almost 95% of snakebite deaths.

Pit Viper Bites: What to Look For

• Severe burning pain
• Two small puncture wounds
• Swelling
• Discoloration
• Blood-filled blisters
• Nausea, vomiting, sweating, weakness

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Pit Viper Bites: What to Do�(1 of 2)

• Get the person and bystanders away from the snake.
• Do not try to capture or kill the snake.
• Encourage the person to rest, stay calm, and be still.
• Remove any rings, jewelry, or tight clothing from the bitten body part.

Pit Viper Bites: What to Do�(2 of 2)

• Gently wash the bite with soap and running water.
• Apply a sterile dressing over the fang marks.
• Keep the bite area at the level of the heart.
• Evacuate immediately.
• When possible, carry the person
• Do not apply a pressure bandage.

Coral Snakes

• Found in Arizona, Texas, and Southeastern United States.
• America’s most venomous snake, but it rarely bites people.
• Symptoms begin 1 to 5 hours after the bite.

Coral Snake Bites: �What to Look For

• Several hours may pass before the onset of:
• minimal pain;
• drowsiness;
• weakness;
• pricking, tingling of skin;
• blurred vision;
• difficulty swallowing;
• sweating; and
• mouth watering.

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Coral Snake Bites: What to Do

• Gently clean the bite with soap and water.
• Apply a wide elastic bandage using overlapping turns and wrap upward from the end of bitten arm or leg, covering the entire bite wound.
• Stabilize the bitten arm or leg as you would for a broken bone. Keep it below heart level.
• Evacuate.

Nonvenomous Snakes

• Nonvenomous snakes inflict the most bites.
• Assume a snake is venomous if you don’t know what type it is.

Nonvenomous Snake Bites: What to Look For

• Horseshoe shape of tooth marks on skin
• Bleeding
• Possible swelling, mild itching, and tenderness

Nonvenomous Snake Bites: What to Do

• Gently clean with soap and water.
• Care for the bite as you would a shallow wound.
• Consult with a physician.

Other Reptile Bites

• Venomous lizards include:
• Gila monster
• Mexican beaded lizard
• Venomous lizards may hang on during a bite and chew venom into person’s skin.

© Matt Jeppson / ShutterStock.

© Leonard Lee Rue III/Science Source/Getty images.

Other Reptile Bites: �What to Look For

• Puncture wounds
• Swelling and pain
• Sweating
• Vomiting
• Increased heart rate
• Shortness of breath

Other Reptile Bites: �What to Do

• Give pain medication.
• Evacuate
• Treat bites the same as you would for a pit viper bite.