Snakebite First Aid Management: Everything You Need To Know!
Learn essential first aid management for snakebites, including life-saving tips, immediate actions, dos and don’ts, and how to respond effectively to ensure safety and minimize complications in emergencies.
Written by Dr Sonia Bhatt
Last updated on 3rd Jul, 2025
Snakebite, usually accidental, poses a significant threat to human beings. Typically, a snake bites to defend itself or to hunt prey. While some snakes are non-venomous, where the bite causes infection and injuries, in the case of venomous snakes like cobra, viper, etc., it poses a threat to the life of the victim. Some of the common venoms like cytotoxins, myotoxins, neurotoxins, anti-clotting agents, and haemorrhaging can lead to complications like breaking the muscles, paralysis, disrupting the blood vessels, etc. Therefore, understanding snake bites is essential to seek timely medical attention and save lives.
Identifying Snakebites
The general symptoms of snakebite are:
- Two puncture wounds
- Redness and swelling around those wounds
- Pain at the wound site
- Sweating and salivating
- Vomiting and nausea
- Numbness in the limbs and face
- Difficulty breathing
- Blurred vision
A venomous snake bite can produce symptoms such as localised pain, convulsions, nausea, and swelling, and, in some cases, it might lead to paralysis. Non-venomous snake bite symptoms include an infection or allergic reaction.
Immediate First Aid Steps
After a snakebite, individuals should immediately:
- Move away from the snake
- Keep the bitten leg or arm below the heart level
- Take the tight clothing and jewellery off
- Try to stay calm
Here are some common myths about snakebite treatment which should be strictly avoided:
- Applying alcohol can help in snake bite
- Burning the area of sneak bite will help to get rid of all the toxins
- Snake bites can be treated with electric shock.
Do's and Don'ts in Snakebite Situations
Everybody should follow the following steps after a snake bite:
- Wash the wounded area gently with running water and soap.
- Move the patient away from the area. Also, request that other passers-by relocate other people from that area.
Side by side, they should avoid the following to prevent further harm: - Don't put up a tight band on the wound
- Don't use an ice pack
- Never cut the bite or suck the bite to pull the venom out
- Never try to catch the snake and bring it to the doctor. If the sneak is already dead, take a picture on the phone
Transportation to Medical Facilities
In case of a snake bite, the victim should be handled with utmost care and on an emergency basis. After the first-aid care has been administered, the patient needs to be transferred to the nearest hospital or medical facility for further diagnosis and treatment. Safe transportation of such victims includes ensuring minimal movement of the individual to reduce the spread of venom through the bloodstream. So, it is best to use a proper ambulance for the job.
Also, it is important to ensure the victim remains calm, as agitation can increase the heart rate, which could exacerbate venom circulation.
Medical Treatment for Snakebites
The best treatment for snake bites is to apply anti-venom. But, the outcome will depend on the timing of the dosage. If it is too late, then the medicine will take longer to counter the effects of the venom.
An important thing to note here is that snake venoms vary depending on their numerous effects and toxic components. This variation applies not only to the category of the snake but also their size, age, or sex. Thus, anti-venom applicable for one species is not appropriate for other species. This is the reason why doctors usually ask the rescuers about the type of snake that was involved in the incident. It helps them identify the type of anti-venom required for the particular case.
Besides the anti-venom, other treatment methods used to lower the effect of snakebite include taking care of the wound to prevent infection. It is also important to manage the allergic reactions through proper medication. However, in severe cases, surgical interventions are also used to minimise tissue damage and the spread of infections.
Prevention of Snakebites
Here are some tips to prevent snake bites in rural and urban areas:
- Wearing rubber boots, long trousers and gloves
- Walking with a torch at night
- Wearing preventive clothing
- Being careful while walking beside the water bodies
- Avoid climbing on trees or rocks in deserted areas
- Not putting the hands and feet into the unknown holes and spaces without checking
Long-term Effects and Rehabilitation
Potential long-term effects of snakebite may include:
- Tissue Damage: Permanent scarring or loss of function in the affected area due to venom-induced necrosis.
Chronic Pain: Persistent pain at the bite site, even after the wound has healed. - Nerve Damage: Weakness or numbness in the affected limb due to nerve injury caused by the venom.
- Organ Damage: Long-term complications in organs such as the kidneys or heart, depending on the type of venom.
- Psychological Impact: Anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the snakebite experience.
- Mobility Issues: Difficulty walking or using the affected limb due to severe muscle or joint damage.
Rehabilitation plays a critical role in the recovery process after a snakebite. It focuses on physical, emotional, and functional healing. Physical therapy primarily focuses on restoring strength and mobility, while counselling addresses mental health challenges. Simultaneously, regular follow-ups ensure proper monitoring of residual effects and further treatment. Therefore, a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation supports victims in reclaiming their quality of life after a snakebite.
Awareness and Education
Raising awareness and educating communities about the symptoms and scientific initial care of snakebite can reduce the severity of the injuries. Also, debunking the myths and misconceptions paves the way for better treatment and increases the chances of survival.
Several online resources are available on the internet. For instance, the World Health Organization (WHO) provides articles, guidelines, and FAQ pages on snake bite management. Resources are also available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MedlinePlus, and more.
Conclusion
Snakebites are a serious medical emergency that demands immediate attention, proper first aid, and timely medical intervention. Therefore, knowing the types of snakes, the symptoms of their bites and the appropriate steps for treatment can significantly reduce the severity of their impact. At the same time, there are myths and misconceptions related to snakebites that need to be debunked through awareness and education to empower people to respond effectively and scientifically to such incidents and save lives.
Consult Top General Physicians
Consult Top General Physicians
Dr. Hrishikesh Shivakumar
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Dr. Lakshmi Sindhura Kakani
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Dr. Jawwad Mohammed Kaleem
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