Envenoming is when an individual is injected with venom. Venom is an organic toxin or poisonous fluid that animals secrete.
The venom is injected into an individual through biting, stinging, or sprayed into the eyes, which can lead to death or paralysis of the heart if not attended to with immediate effect.
The animals inject venom to defend and protect themselves. When bit by a venomous snake, at least four main toxins affect an individual.
We have the neurotoxins and cytotoxins, which kill cells in the body; the neurotoxins, which affect the nervous system; and the mycotoxins, which damage muscles.
When they are not treated immediately, it can cause death, making it a life-threatening situation. Not all venom acts the same way.
Different venomous animals, such as snakes, spiders, scorpions, jellyfish, taipan, cone snails, etc., affect an individual differently, but snakes are known as well-characterized venomous animals.
What Is Snakebite Envenoming?
Firstly, a snake is a limbless reptile with no eyelids, jaw, or short tail. This reptile can bite, and some of the bites are venomous.
Snakebite Envenoming is a severe disease that affects an individual through a snake bite. There is no exact number of victims and no location where a snake can bite someone.
However, the record shows that most people affected are farmers, herders, fishermen, hunters, and those in rural areas (poor communities).
Someone bitten by a venomous snake suffers from mild or severe tissue damage because of the venom even after being treated.
Symptoms of snakebite envenoming
There are two categories of snakes: venomous and nonvenomous; not all snakes are venomous.
Some venomous snakes can be identified through their triangular-looking heads due to the protrusion caused by the venom glands behind their jaws, while the nonvenomous are mainly with the circle-looking heads.
Venomous snakes are categorized into viper and elapids and are of different snake species. Symptoms depend on the species of snakes, and they include:
Rattlesnake
This species belongs to the viper family, the largest venomous snake in the United States. They can be identified as rattlesnakes because of the rings at the end of their tail.
They shake their tail when they are in danger. This species is found in mountains, deserts, beaches, etc. When a rattlesnake bites, there are symptoms like discoloration, vomiting, weakness, blurred vision, etc.
King Cobra
This is one of the venomous snakes, also known as hamadryad, which belongs to the family of elapids. This King Cobra is peculiar to forests in India and Southeast Asia. The king cobra is one of the longest venomous snakes because it is about 18 feet long.
Its venoms are neurotoxic and affect the brain’s respiratory center, leading to cardiac failure, respiratory arrest, and the nervous system, leading the victim into a coma.
When bitten, if not treated immediately, you might have paralysis of the lungs and heart, which may lead to death. Some symptoms of King Cobra include severe pains, drowsiness, etc.
Black mamba
They are primarily African indigenous snakes, known to be fast and deadly. Though they may be nervous, they are highly aggressive when threatened. They live in rocky hills of southern and eastern Africa.
They are the longest African snakes because they are up to 14 feet long. Some symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, sweating, diarrhea, etc.
Coral Snake
This type of snake has red, yellow, and black colors with a bulb-like head. They bite when they are stepped on. Symptoms may include headache, discoloration, stomach pain, convulsion, etc.
Copperhead
This is a type of venomous snake. They are most likely to bite primarily gold and reddish when stepped on. Some symptoms of copperhead bite include shock, fall in blood pressure, weakness, discoloration, etc.
First aid treatments of snakebite envenoming
Generally, there are first aid treatments for every injury before administering the primary treatment as the doctors prescribe.
The first aid treatment for snakebites includes:
- Call for help as soon as possible.
- Lie down with the wound in a neutral position or below the level of your heart.
- Try to stay calm to avoid venom spread.
- Remove any jewelry from the affected area if there is any.
- Wash the affected area with soap and water before covering it with a loose, sterile bandage.
Things you shouldn’t do when bitten by a snake
- Do not take alcohol as a pain killer or any pain relief medication such as aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.
- Do not try to suck out the venom or bite the wounded area with your mouth, as this can be dangerous.
- Do not apply ice to the affected area.
- Do not cover with a tight bandage
- Do not cut the affected area with a knife.
Antivenom treatments of Snakebite
First aid treatments are essential for snakebites to reduce the symptoms before taking the person to the hospital.
Antivenom, also known as Antivenin, is the only antidote that can stop, neutralize, or strongly reverse most of the effects of snakebite envenoming when correctly administered.
This Antivenin comprises antibodies from a host animal (sheep or horse) with many antibodies against different venom components. The antibodies are processed into snake venom for treatment.
Note that Antivenin is given based on the species of a severe snakebite, and if the bite is not serious, the doctor can clean the wound and give a tetanus vaccine.
Prevention of snakebites
There are some preventive measures you must take to avoid snakebites.
- Stay away from forests or any related places where snakes are.
- Avoid working at night
- Stay alert when climbing rocks
- Always wear thick leather boots when working outside where the snake may be.
- Try to flee from any snake as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Not all snakes are venomous, but that does not mean you should not take precautions to avoid snakebites.
As a parent, always advise your child to avoid different locations of snakes because snakebite venom affects young ones because of their smaller body mass.
Don’t forget to inform your doctor if you are allergic to any vaccine before Antivenin is recommended.
