Consequences of a venomous snake bite. What to do if bitten by a snake. Types of poisonous snakes and characteristics of their bites

When going out into the forest, into nature, remember that ordinary wild snakes of central Russia do not attack people, and with possible contact, they try to hide from human eyes as soon as possible. However, if you managed to sneak close to it and attack first, or simply step on a gaping snake, then, defending itself, it may bite. How to help in this case is our article.

What does a snake bite look like

As a rule, the very attack of the snake and the bite is difficult to miss. Already in the first minutes after the bite of such a snake as a viper, pain and a burning sensation appear at the site of the lesion. Redness, multiple hemorrhages appear around the bite site, edema spreads rapidly. The severity of the consequences depends on the site of the bite (a bite in the head and torso is more dangerous than in the leg), the age and state of health of the victim. For example, children, especially those under 3 years of age, are more susceptible to snakebite than adults.

If you move south, you can already meet other types of snakes. Poison, for example, cobras, sea snakes, some species of tropical rattlesnakes, affecting the nervous system, causes muscle weakness, dizziness, numbness and aching pain in the limbs, sometimes vomiting, fever up to 38-39 ° C. Death can occur from paralysis of the respiratory center. However, after these snakes, the external signs at the bite site are negligible: two puncture points on the skin and a slight swelling around them.

First aid for a victim of a snake bite

Help begins to be provided with immediate and vigorous suction of the contents of the wound. The person conducting the removal of the poison should continuously spit out the sucked liquid. It makes sense to deal with the removal of poison in this way for about the first 15-20 minutes after the bite. Then, if possible, the wound is treated with iodine, alcohol, brilliant green (brilliant green). After that, they provide a fixed position of the bitten limb, create all possible conditions for the rest of the victim. He needs to be taken to a hospital as soon as possible, where he will receive further medical care.

What not to do when bitten by a snake

It is categorically contraindicated for a victim of a snake bite to make a skin incision at the site of the bite, to apply a tourniquet; do not give alcohol, vodka to drink, introduce potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) or other oxidizing agents into the bite area, cauterize the bite site. All this not only does not weaken or delay the effect of snake venom on the body, but, on the contrary, significantly enhances it, contributing to the occurrence of serious complications.

How to protect yourself from snake bites

If you are going out of town, for example, to a dacha or to a forest, then personal prevention of snake bites can be provided by some additional means and activities. For example, wearing high shoes. Leather or rubber boots work well for this. It is better to wear tight clothes. If you go into the forest, then carefully inspect the parking spaces. Remember that there are no aggressive snakes in central Russia. They only bite humans in self-defense. Bites are most often experienced by people trying to either catch or kill a snake (usually children and adolescents). Therefore, persons traveling to the territory where snakes can live should be aware of the behavior of snakes and, if possible, have specific anti-gyurza and anti-cobra serums with them, which must be administered no later than 30 minutes after a snake bite.

Snakes - so good or bad?

Historically, the Russian people have a tradition of killing any snake. Meanwhile, the benefits of snakes for humans are much greater than the harm. Many species of snakes perfectly exterminate carriers of dangerous diseases - rodents, harmful insects, mollusks. The venom of snakes has found wide application in medicine. It is used to prepare various medicines used in the treatment of rheumatism, neuralgia, myositis, etc. In some regions of the country, snakes are an important link in the food chain, so a significant change in the number of snakes can affect the ecological state of the region.

Many of us like to spend our free time actively: arrange trips to the forest with an overnight stay, go to conquer mountains, swim in reservoirs. Active recreation gives not only unforgettable emotions and a meeting with beautiful landscapes, a danger can await a person - vipers, which are also part of nature. Are you ready to meet them?

General information about the viper

The viper family includes 58 species. Snakes live in Europe, Asia and Africa. All members of the viper family are poisonous and dangerous to humans. They mostly lead a terrestrial lifestyle. The exceptions are:

The following types of vipers are most numerous:

• steppe viper. On top of the snake is brown-gray, a dark stripe runs along the body. Lives in the steppes. The snake is small, fangs are short, it injects a small amount of poison into the victim. Deaths after the bite of this viper have not been recorded. It lives in the steppes of Western Europe, in the forest-steppe regions of southern Russia, in the Caucasus, is found in the Crimea;
• Caucasian viper. A distinctive feature is the bright color. The color varies from yellowish orange to brick red. The snake is not large, rarely grows up to 60 cm in length. Only isolated deaths from its bite are known. Distributed in the regions of the Western Caucasus and Transcaucasia, found in Eastern Turkey. In the northern direction, it lives on the territory of the Krasnodar Territory;
• nosy viper. It got its name due to the presence of a soft spike at the tip of the muzzle, resembling a nose in shape. It lives in the north-east of Italy, in the countries of the Balkan Peninsula, in the territory of Yugoslavia, Romania, in the regions of Asia Minor, in the mountains of Armenia and Georgia;
• noisy viper. The snake is large, with a thick body, reaches a length of 1.5 meters. Emits a very loud hiss when near an enemy. The chance of death from a bite is 15–20%. Distributed throughout Africa;
• Gaboon viper. It has a thick body, grows up to 2 meters in length. The coloration of the snake is colorful and spectacular. Various colors form a clear geometric pattern on the surface of the snake. The snake is very calm, rarely attacks people. However, the bite of this viper almost always ends in the death of the victim: the snake has long fangs, which leads to the rapid penetration of poison into the body. Lives in Liberia, South Sudan, Angola;
• common viper. It is gray and brown in color, a dark stripe is visible along the body. Fatal cases after being bitten by this snake are rare. Distributed throughout Eurasia.

Photo gallery: representatives of the viper family

The common viper has an unpretentious coloration Various colors form a geometric pattern on the back of the Gaboon viper The Caucasian viper has a bright color The snake has a powerful and thick body The steppe viper is a small snake A soft spike on the tip of the viper's muzzle looks like a nose

The common viper is often mistaken for a snake by people. External signs of a snake that distinguish it from a viper:

• there is no dark stripe along the ridge;
• the color is uniform;
• below the head is a yellow collar.

A distinctive feature of the snake is a bright yellow collar.

Unlike the viper, it is not venomous.

The common viper can be found in many places:

• on forest edges;
• in the forest and spruce forest;
• in mixed forest with abundant grass cover;
• in the forest-steppe zone;
• on the banks of rivers and lakes;
• in the meadows;
• in rural gardens.

In summer, snakes build their nests in abandoned burrows of other animals, among large stones, under haystacks, in rotten stumps. They can be forced to leave their homes either by human intervention or lack of food. Snakes hunt at night: they catch small rodents and birds. During the day they sleep in a nest or crawl out to bask in the sun, lying on paths, stumps, stones. In winter, they hibernate, which ends at the end of April.

Why does a snake bite a person

The snake has no reason to attack. The viper is not aggressive and, having met a person, crawls away. A snake bites if it feels threatened - this happens when a person accidentally steps on it or invades its habitat. Vipers live in groups, choosing places suitable for wintering. In such areas, the number of snakes can exceed 90 individuals per 1 hectare. Getting into places of accumulation of vipers, a person is exposed to increased danger.

Vipers hibernate in groups

Feeling threatened, at first the viper hisses, rises above the ground, frightens the person with threatening throws. If a person makes sudden movements, the snake attacks.

Before the attack, the viper scares the victim

In the mouth of the viper are large fangs. The poisonous gland is located above the upper jaw and is connected with it by an arcuate duct. This form of the duct makes it possible to rotate the jaw, while the poison enters the fangs without obstruction. When bitten, the temporal muscles located near the poisonous glands actively contract, the poison enters the person subcutaneously, intramuscularly or through the channel of the vessel. Upon penetration into the vessel, it spreads throughout the body instantly. The amount of poison is small, the snake consumes it sparingly: it will take a long time to create a new portion.

In the mouth of the viper are two poisonous fangs, which the snake plunges into the victim.

Viper venom belongs to the group of hemovazotoxic poisons that can damage small vessels, destroy red blood cells and worsen blood clotting. The snake bite is most dangerous in the spring: the venom contains more toxins than at other times. According to statistics, 1% of affected people die from viper bites, most often small children.

Vipers are excellent swimmers, so you can meet them in the water.

Vipers are excellent swimmers and can travel long distances in the water.

A snake bite in the water is rare. Vipers settle at a decent distance from the water and find themselves in it, crossing to the other side. The maneuverability of the viper in the water is higher than that of a person, the snake, when threatened, will try to swim away quickly.

Viper bite symptoms

The severity of symptoms with a viper bite depends on factors:

• body weight of the victim. The less a person weighs, the brighter the symptoms after a bite. Therefore, small children endure it more difficult than adults;
• localization of the wound from the teeth of the snake. Bites to a blood vessel, the surface of the head and neck pose a particular threat;
• air temperature. At high temperatures, intoxication of the body occurs more actively;
• amount of poison. A viper bite can also occur without injecting poison if the viper has recently bit into a person or animal with its teeth and a new portion of the poison has not yet been developed.

Local symptoms:

Common signs of a snake bite:

• weakness in the whole body;
• dizziness;
• headache;
• tachycardia;
• nausea;
• vomit.

If a child is bitten or the viper's venom enters the vessel, the symptoms appear rapidly and are severe:

• impaired motor function of the bitten limb;
• paralysis extends to the entire body, affects the muscles of the face;
• breathing becomes short and heavy;
• swallowing function decreases;
• the work of the heart is disturbed;
• there is uncontrolled urination.

First aid

Actions for a viper bite:

1. Go to the hospital immediately or call an ambulance.
2. Try to suck out the poison. This action gives a result within 10-15 minutes after the snake bite, before swelling appears. The latter indicates that the poison has spread to the surrounding tissues and the procedure is pointless to continue. The skin around the wound is collected in a fold and squeezed so that drops of blood appear. The suctioned fluid is immediately spit out. The person sucking the poison must rinse his mouth with a disinfectant solution after the procedure. If there is no antiseptic, water is used to rinse.
3. Treat the bite site with hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, or another antiseptic.
4. Immobilize the bitten part of the body: during activity, the spread of poison throughout the body is accelerated. If the bite is made to the hand, the limb is fixed in a bent position. If the bite is made in the leg, then it is tied to the second lower limb, and the victim is laid so that the legs are above the level of the pelvis. This posture improves circulation.
5. Apply a loose bandage to the wound. Use a bandage or a clean cloth.
6. To reduce swelling to the wound, periodically apply cold, the best option is ice. Every 5-7 minutes, the cold is removed from the bite site to avoid frostbite of the limb.
7. The victim needs to drink a lot: about 3 liters of liquid. Use water, juices, soda.
8. If possible, take an antihistamine: Zirtek, Suprastin, Tavegil, Fenkarol.

Before receiving medical assistance, it is prohibited:

• use alcohol to treat a wound;
• apply a tourniquet (tight bandage) to the surface of the bite. This will provoke necrosis of the limb;
• cut the wound yourself to release the poison from there. High chance of getting an infection
• apply earth, grass to the wound. There is a risk of contracting tetanus;
• the victim to drink alcohol, which increases the intoxication of the body and reduces the effect of anti-snake serum.

Video: how to behave when bitten by a viper

Medical care in the hospital

In the hospital, the treatment of a viper bite occurs according to a certain scheme:

1. Serum is injected.
2. Infusion administration of solutions of glucose, Ringer, sodium chloride is used to eliminate toxins from the body.
3. Diuretics are prescribed (Furosemide, Trifas).
4. The victim is given an oral or intramuscular injection of an antihistamine if this is not done before arriving at the hospital.
5. A tetanus vaccine is given, regardless of whether the person was vaccinated as planned or not.
6. Glucocorticoid agents (Dexamethasone, Prednisol) are prescribed, which have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.
7. To avoid a purulent process in the body, broad-spectrum antibiotics (Cefotaxime, Cefepime) are used.
8. For preventive purposes, in order to prevent liver and kidney failure, hepatoprotectors (Berlition, Gepadif) are prescribed.
9. With severe intoxication of the body, hemodialysis is performed.
10. With symptoms of heart failure, Cordiamin, Caffeine are used.
11. With heavy bleeding resort to blood transfusion.
12. If the victim has convulsions, calcium gluconate is administered intravenously.

When bitten by a viper, Serum against the venom of the common viper is applied. It must be administered within a few hours of a snakebite. The serum contains antibodies that can neutralize snake venom. The basis of the antidote is horse serum. It is important to pay attention to some points:

• serum is used only when bitten by a viper, if a person has suffered from other snakes, the antidote will not work. It is also forbidden to administer serum intended to neutralize the venom of other snake species when bitten by a viper. Previously, Antigyrza serum was used in hospitals, but its action was not always effective and it caused many side effects;
• the doctor must administer the serum. Improper use of antivenom can harm the victim. There is a possibility of anaphylactic shock due to an allergic reaction to a foreign protein;
• serum is injected subcutaneously at a dosage of 0.1 ml. In the absence of an allergic reaction at the injection site, another 0.25 ml of antidote is administered after 20 minutes. Then, after 15 minutes, apply the rest of the antidote. The required volume of injected serum is selected by the doctor based on the severity of the symptoms;
• if poison intoxication is severe, the antidote is administered intravenously using a dropper.

Diagnosis with a viper bite

The hospital conducts a thorough diagnosis of the patient's condition. The necessary studies are assigned:

• general blood analysis. Allows you to evaluate the number of leukocytes, platelets, erythrocytes, hemoglobin level;
• blood chemistry. Helps to monitor the functioning of internal organs. The toxic effects of the poison can affect the functioning of the kidneys and liver. Hepatic parameters are evaluated: bilirubin, ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), alkaline phosphatase, albumin; renal indicators: uric acid, creatinine, urea;
• Coagulogram - an analysis that helps to assess blood clotting. The prothrombin index (PTI), fibrinogen, prothrombized time and other indicators are determined;
• general urine analysis. Helps to track changes in the functioning of the urinary system;
• electrocardiogram. With the help of this study, deviations in the work of the heart are monitored;
• chest radiograph. It is done when pulmonary edema is suspected.

Treatment prognosis and possible complications

If an adult is bitten by a viper, but first aid is provided correctly, the victim is quickly taken to the hospital, the prognosis is mostly favorable.

When bitten by small children, the consequences are more severe, and a fatal outcome also occurs. Before arriving at the hospital, severe intoxication of the body can occur, which leads to liver or kidney failure. Therefore, it is important to get the child to the hospital as soon as possible.

A pregnant woman has a high risk of intoxication not only in her own body, but also in the body of the fetus. After a snake attack, you should undergo a thorough examination.

If a person refuses medical care after a snake bite, complications may develop:

• tetanus;
• lymphedema;
• phlebothrombosis.

There are bacteria in the viper's mouth, after a bite there is a chance of developing tetanus. Also, the cause may be getting into the wound of the earth, dirty grass, if the rules of hygiene were not followed. Symptoms of tetanus:

Tetanus is often fatal.

Lymphedema is a condition in which, due to an infection, the outflow of fluid through the lymphatic vessels is disturbed, swelling of the soft tissues of the affected limb occurs. Symptoms:

Conservative treatment of lymphedema does not always give a positive result, and often there is a need for surgical intervention.

In the bitten limb, phlebothrombosis may occur, which is characterized by the formation of blood clots in the veins. Symptoms:

Phlebothrombosis is treated surgically.

How to keep out of trouble

Viper bites can be avoided by following simple rules:

When stopping in the forest for the night, take steps to reduce the risk of a viper attack:

• create strong vibrations of the soil: stomp, jump. The snakes will leave such a place;
• close the tents tightly. Press the edges of the tent with stones to the ground;
• do not leave clothes outside the tent;
• be careful when moving through the forest at night. The snakes are also active at night.

A person is able to prevent a snake from attacking, the safety rules are simple and unpretentious. If the incident has already happened, do not panic: in a stressful situation, we often do the wrong things. Try to get medical help as soon as possible and do not refuse it.

• In the world, more than 2 million people suffer from the bite of poisonous snakes every year, of which about 120 thousand die.
• Aggressiveness of snakes increases during their molting and mating season.
• Most often, a snake attacks a person only in case of self-defense.
• The speed of the snake during the attack can reach 3.5 meters per second. During the throw, the snake overcomes the distance up to 1/3 of its length.
• In 70% of cases, snake bites occur in the lower limbs of a person.
• The most severe bites of poisonous snakes occur in women, children and persons intoxicated.

Types of poisonous snakes

In Russia, there are 14 species of poisonous snakes, most often a person suffers from the bites of reptiles of three families: 1) the family of snakes, 2) the family of vipers, 3) the family of asps.

1. family already similar

   :

Already ordinary


Copperhead common

The bites of these snakes do not pose a danger to health and life. However, the bite is accompanied by painful sensations and suppuration of the wound may develop.

1. viper family

common viper
The viper's head is shaped like a spearhead. The shields covering the head are small and practically do not differ from those on the body. The eyes are small, over which a small ridge protrudes. The head is separated from the body by a sharp neck interception. The body is short and thick. The tail is blunt and short.

The snake is quite peaceful, bites only if it is pursued, grabbed by hands or stepped on. At the sight of a person, the viper is always in a hurry to crawl away, hide, or lie quietly.

Mortality after the bite of an ordinary viper is about 1%. This is due to the fact that the viper injects a small amount of poison into the victim. She saves it, since the production of poison is a very energy-intensive process and takes a lot of strength from the snake.

Poison injection mechanism
The viper has large hollow fangs with a deep groove. The snake injects venom into its prey by reflex contraction of the temporal muscles that surround the venom glands.

When bitten, the poison can get under the skin, into the muscle tissue or into the lumen of the victim's vessel. The bite into the lumen of the vessel is more difficult, due to the fact that the poison spreads faster throughout the body causing various disorders. There are cases when the bite occurs with one fang, as a result of which a smaller dose of poison is injected and the poisoning proceeds more easily.
The components of the poison and their effects on the body

The main components of the poison are enzymes that break down various types of tissues (hyalorunidase, phospholipase, proteases), as well as toxic amino acids, proteins and carbohydrates.

• Hyaluronidase- splits connective tissue, destroys the walls of small capillaries, increases the permeability of tissues for water and ions.

• Phospholipase- splitting the lipid layer of erythrocytes, leads to their destruction (erythrocyte hemolysis).

The above enzymes increase the permeability of cell membranes (mast cells) containing biologically active substances (histamine, heparin, etc.), which leads to their release and the manifestation of inflammatory and allergic reactions (edema, redness, pain, itching).

Viper venom - contains hyaluronidase and phospholipase and destroys the walls of blood vessels, red blood cells, proteins, forms blood clots inside the vessels, leading to circulatory disorders. In addition, the poison disrupts cardiac and liver function, and also disrupts the water-mineral balance.

Poison in the body mainly spreads through the lymphatic vessels, less with the blood stream and nerve fibers.

The excretion of the poison is carried out through the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, by the external secretion glands (mammary glands) and by the kidneys.

How does a viper attack?

Symptoms of a venomous snake bite

Most often, the bites of non-venomous snakes leave only small scratches on the body. The bite of a venomous snake leaves deep punctures from the teeth, through which poison is injected.

Local symptoms of a viper bite

• 1 or 2 punctures from snake teeth in the form of small points
• Relatively mild pain at the bite site
• Burning
• Redness
• Swelling after 10-30 minutes, sometimes significant
• There may be small punctate hemorrhages, bloody blisters
• Possible areas of skin death
• The skin becomes purplish-bluish

General symptoms

• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• heartbeat
• Decrease in body temperature

For severe intoxication:

• Confusion
• Weakness
• Paleness of the skin
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• sweating
• Cold extremities
• As the symptoms increase, it appears: fever, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, development of renal failure.

3. Family of asps

• Central Asian cobra

Description: the color of the upper body is from light olive to brown, the abdomen is light, yellowish. The pupil is large. Transverse stripes, the younger the snake, the brighter they are; with age, the stripes on the abdomen disappear. The scales of the snake are smooth.
Cobra warns of an attack: it expands its neck, emits a loud hiss, raises the front of the body. Often a cobra will perform a feint attack without using its bite. With such an attack, the cobra only hits the enemy with its head with its mouth closed, thereby protecting the poisonous teeth from possible breakage and preserving the poison.

The components of the poison and their effect on the body:

• The main toxins: neurotoxin - acting on nerve cells, as well as a toxin acting on the heart muscle - cardiotoxin;
• Damaging enzymes: phospholipase, hyaluronidase, cholinesterase.

Neurotoxin - the main toxin of cobra venom, which blocks sensitive skin receptors, as well as the conduction of a nerve impulse along nerve fibers, causing a violation of reflex activity, paresis and paralysis of the limbs.

Local symptoms:

• Burning pain in the bite area (subsides within a few hours)
• Swelling (not as pronounced as swelling from a viper bite)
• The color of the skin in the bite area is not changed
• A bloody liquid oozes from the wound for some time.
• The functions of the affected limb are disturbed, paralysis develops, which begins to spread upward, capturing the muscles of the trunk, face, the eyelids, lower jaw drop, and the movement of the eyeballs is disturbed.

General symptoms:

• Intoxication develops quickly, almost immediately after a bite.
• Weakness
• vague anxiety
• Loss of coordination, unsteady gait
• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea
• hiccup
• Vomit
• Swallowing disorder
• Salivation
• Speech is disturbed, which becomes slurred, soundless.
• Decreased cardiac activity
• Possible involuntary urination and defecation
• Death can occur from respiratory arrest after 2-7 hours

What determines the severity of the bite?

• The body weight of the victim, the smaller the weight, the more severe the reaction to the bite. Small children are particularly susceptible to snake bites.
• Health status (presence of concomitant diseases);
• Place of the bite (bites to the neck and head are more dangerous, as well as when the bite falls into a blood vessel);
• The higher the air temperature, the faster the symptoms of intoxication develop;
• The size of the snake (the larger the snake, the more poison it has);
• The amount of poison injected. Sometimes it happens that the bite can be completely harmless and contain no poison. This situation can occur if the snake has recently used poison and it has not yet had time to develop. Viper venom accumulates gradually.

How to assess the severity of poisoning?

snakes	Degree gravity poisoning	Pain	Edema	Bloody bubbles	Tissue destruction (necrosis)	Muscle twitching	General signs
Vipers and pit vipers	Light	Local and only in the first hours after the bite	Slight in the area of ​​the bite	No	No	No	In rare cases, slight shortness of breath and palpitations in the first hours after the bite
	Medium	burning	expressed	Rarely. When applying a tourniquet - often;	rarely	No	Shortness of breath, palpitations, rarely nausea and fever, circulatory disorders
	heavy	Stinging with spread	Pronounced, extending to the entire limb or part of the body	often	often	No	Drowsiness in the first hours, shortness of breath, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, impaired liver and kidney function, severe circulatory disorders.
Asps and sea snakes	Light	The pain is local 1-2 hours after the bite.	rarely	No	No	No	A short-term feeling of stiffness and a violation of the sensitivity of the affected limb.
	Medium	Same	rarely	No	No	Weak, quickly passing, tremor of the eyelids and fingers	General weakness, feeling of numbness and stiffness of the affected limb, dysfunction of the lower extremities.
	heavy	Indeterminate character with distribution throughout the body.	minor	No	No	Severe, especially of the limbs, muscle spasms of the fingers	Lethargy, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, paresis and paralysis of the limbs, lips, tongue, blurred vision.

First aid for a snake bite

What not to do when bitten by a snake?

• Apply a tourniquet. The tourniquet sharply disrupts blood circulation in the bite area and significantly increases the degree of tissue damage. The imposition of a tourniquet for 20-30 minutes sharply worsens the general condition of the patient.
• Making incisions in order to let the "poisoned blood" flow out, there is a high probability of damaging a nerve, vessel or tendon, as well as infecting.
• Burn the bite.
• You can not take alcohol, it only accelerates the spread of the poison.
• Chipping the bite site with novocaine or adrenaline worsens local blood supply, exacerbates tissue damage.

What to do step by step guide

Walkthrough:	How?	What for?
Suck out the poison	Start immediately after the bite, 5-10 minutes after it is already very late! Before sucking out the poison, it is necessary to slightly open the punctures made by the teeth of the snake. To do this, grab a fold of skin in the bite area and wrinkle it slightly. When the punctures are opened, small droplets of liquid appear on their surface. Grab the tissues surrounding the wound with your teeth, while sucking out the poison, press the surrounding tissue with your hands. When sucking out liquid with poison, immediately spit it out. The procedure must be performed quickly and vigorously. The duration of the procedure is up to 15-20 minutes.	After a bite, the poison instantly begins to spread through the vessels of the lymphatic and circulatory systems. By slightly opening the punctures made by the snake's teeth, the efficiency of extracting the poison increases. The fact that poison can enter the body from the oral cavity and cause poisoning, especially with wounds or diseased teeth, is only a theory that is not confirmed in practice. Thousands of professional kite catchers use this technique, and no cases of poisoning have been reported. Timely suction of the poison saves lives and reduces the number of complications after a bite. A well-timed intake of venom suction can extract up to 50% of the injected venom.
Disinfect the wound	Any antiseptic will do, but it is better not to use alcohol and alcohol solutions, as alcohol accelerates the penetration of the poison into the body: Hydrogen peroxide Weak solution of potassium permanganate Zelenka and others. Gently wipe the bite area. Apply a loose, clean bandage.	Wound disinfection is performed to prevent infection and the development of a suppurative process. Viper venom has an antimicrobial effect, so wound disinfection should only be carried out if venom suction has been performed.
Ensure complete rest of the bitten limb and the whole body	After a bite, completely limit movement in the bitten limb. Put on a tire. If possible, take a horizontal position, while maintaining complete peace and tranquility. Remove rings and bracelets if bitten on the hand.	Any movement in the limb accelerates the movement of blood and lymph through the vessels, which accelerates the spread of poison throughout the body. Rings and bracelets can make the swelling worse.
Apply a pressure bandage	Wrap should be the entire limb in which the bite fell. The bandage should comfortably squeeze the limb, while not causing disturbance, so that the finger can easily penetrate the bandage. On the upper limb, the bandage pressure should be 40-70 mm Hg. and 55-70 for the lower limb.	A moderately tight bandage compresses the lymphatic vessels and superficial veins, which slows down the spread of the poison throughout the body and does not disrupt tissue nutrition, which is carried out by deep veins and arteries. However, excessive dressing pressure can cause local tissue damage due to the complete lack of blood circulation in this area.
If possible, apply ice to the bite site.	You can use ice, be sure to wrap it in a towel or other cloth. Beware of frostbite, as soon as you feel discomfort, remove for a while (5-7 minutes).	Cold on the bite area slows down the spread of poison and the development of an inflammatory reaction, reduces swelling and pain.
Reduce the symptoms of inflammation, allergic reactions, prevent the development of shock.	Take antihistamines: Suprastin, diphenhydramine, pipolfen - inject intramuscularly 1ml 1% or inside suprastin: 2 tab. 3 p. per day, Loratadin: 1 tab. in a day; Levocetirizine: 1 tab. in a day; If possible, introduce glucocorticoid drugs: Prednisolone 30-60 mg intramuscularly or orally (1 tab. 5 mg); Dexamethasone (2-4 mg);	Antihistamines block the action of histamine, one of the main substances in inflammation and allergic reactions. Hormonal agents such as prednisolone have a powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-shock effect.
Reduce symptoms of toxicity	Drink as much liquid as possible (up to 3-5 liters per day); Warm alkalizing drink, recommended for a viper bite - (1-2 tsp of soda per 1 liter of water). Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and vitamin P; If possible, put a dropper: 5% glucose solution 400 ml intravenously If the pressure is reduced, a solution of rheopolyglucin 400 ml intravenously drip.	A large amount of fluid taken speeds up the elimination of toxins from the body. Alkaline drinking reduces the toxicity of viper venom. Vitamins accelerate the metabolic processes of neutralizing toxins.
Stimulate cardiac and respiratory activity as needed	Medications: cordiamine, ephedrine, caffeine. In case of cardiac or respiratory arrest, start resuscitation actions: chest compressions and artificial respiration.	Cordiamin- stimulates respiratory and cardiovascular function. Ephedrine- increases the strength and frequency of heart contractions, constricts blood vessels, reduces swelling, increases pressure, expands the bronchi, stimulates the central nervous system. Caffeine- stimulates the respiratory and vasomotor center, increases the strength and frequency of heart contractions, increases pressure, expands the bronchi, increases the formation and excretion of urine.
Administer the antidote	Serum "Antigyurza" It acts against the venom of the gyurza and the venom of snakes of the viper family. Injected under the skin, with a mild degree of poisoning - 500 IU, with severe 1500-3000 IU. Ampoules of 500 IU 2-5 ml. To prevent anaphylactic shock, serum is administered according to certain rules. At the beginning, 0.1 ml of serum is injected, after 10-15 minutes 0.25 ml, if it does not cause a reaction, the rest of the serum is administered. Serum can also be used for bites of cobra, karakurt and scorpion. Serum "Antibobra" - used for cobra bite - Amp. 10 ml. It is desirable to introduce serum no later than the first day after the bite. In severe cases, the serum is reintroduced.	Serum binds the components of the poison and eliminates the destructive effect of the poison on the body. Timely introduced serum will save lives! Serum is most effective in the first hours of intoxication.

Forecast

In the conditions of modern treatment, the prognosis for a bite of poisonous snakes is favorable. Deaths are rare, more often due to delayed treatment or severe concomitant diseases of the victim.

Prevention

• Don't provoke the snake! The snake is a peaceful animal and will never attack itself.
• Do not step on the snake, be careful and look under your feet.
• Don't scream or make sudden movements when you see a snake.
• Wear high boots and heavy clothing when entering a potentially hazardous area.
• Before you walk through the thick and tall grass, make sure that there is no snake there. Use a stick or other handy tools.
• Choose a suitable place to stay overnight. It is better that it be a hill with sparse and low vegetation, away from rocks and holes.
• Do not leave tents open.
• Before climbing into a sleeping bag, check if there is a snake there.

Snakes inhabit all continents of our planet. Among the diversity of these reptiles, about 300 species are poisonous. There are not many poisonous snakes in Russia (only 11 species), and death from their bite is an extremely rare case, since the most dangerous species live in hot countries. We have the most common common viper. How to determine if a snake is poisonous or not, and what to do in case of a bite?

Why do snakes bite

Snakes are, in principle, peaceful creatures and, without a reason, they never attack a person first. Having met in nature with a biped, the snake always tries to leave his field of vision as soon as possible. It attacks only for self-defense: if you step on a snake, invade its nest, hit it. The aggressiveness of reptiles increases during the mating season (spring) or during the molting period. Animal bites most often occur on the legs or arms of a person.

The snake shows aggression towards humans only for self-defense

Snakes love coastal areas with high thickets and open edges in the forest, where they crawl out to bask. There are many snakes in rural areas, especially in those places where there are enough small rodents, since they are the main food for reptiles: in woodsheds, grass thickets, piled boards, etc.

You can get a bite in the water, more often from a snake or a poisonous snake crossing to the other side. As a rule, in the water, the snake will try to swim away from the person, because for an attacking throw, it needs a solid support, which is not available in the water. She can attack in a reservoir only if she accidentally touches her or tries to throw her away from herself, that is, with direct contact. Another thing is poisonous sea snakes living in tropical countries. Water is their habitat, and a person who invades their territory can be attacked even without provocation on their part.

The snakebite is most severely tolerated by children, women, especially pregnant women, and people in a state of intoxication.

Both venomous and non-venomous snakes can bite humans. The bite of an ordinary snake is painful, but does not pose a serious danger, which cannot be said about the bite of a poisonous animal.

Video: how the viper defends itself

What is dangerous snake venom

The poisonous secret consists of 80% proteins and peptides, which are the main carriers of toxic and enzymatic properties and lead to severe intoxication of the body. In addition to proteins, the poison contains many additional chemical components that, to one degree or another, act destructively on human tissues.

The following components have a toxic effect on the body:

• neurotoxins (including cholinesterase) - have a damaging effect on the nervous system - block nerve receptors, conduct nerve impulses, causing paresis (incomplete paralysis) and paralysis (mainly found in the venom of asps, especially cobras, sea snakes, pit vipers or rattlesnakes, Palestinian vipers, and there are no neurotoxins in the venom of moths and other vipers);
• hemolysins (phospholipase enzyme and others) - cause blood lysis, that is, the breakdown of blood cells, especially erythrocytes (these substances are abundant in the poison of all representatives of the viper family, muzzle, southern rattlesnakes);
• cardiotoxins - affect the heart muscle (contained in the poison of all cobras, sea snakes).

The poison contains hyaluronidase, which splits the connective tissue, the walls of small capillaries, which leads to their permeability, severe edema, blood soaking of the surrounding tissues, and subsequently to their necrosis. In addition, this substance contributes to the rapid spread of poison from the bite site throughout the body. Toxic enzymes promote the release of biologically active substances (inflammatory mediators), which leads to the development of a local inflammatory-allergic reaction - severe pain, burning, itching, swelling, redness.

The poison is especially dangerous for its toxic effect on human blood: in addition to the destruction of blood cells, toxic substances have a hemocoagulant property, that is, they cause the formation of blood clots in small peripheral vessels, which leads to acute blood supply failure - tissue ischemia.

What snakes can attack a person

Among the poisonous reptiles living on the territory of our country, most often people are bitten by such representatives:

• vipers. The common viper lives in the Far East, Siberia and the center of Russia. You can meet her in the forest, on the shore of a swamp or lake. It has a rather thick body up to 80 cm long, vertical pupils and strong jaws with poisonous teeth. The coloration can be gray, dark gray or brown-brown, rarely black, while the snake has a characteristic zigzag dark stripe on its back. The steppe viper lives in the forest-steppe zones in the south of Russia. In size, it is inferior to the common viper, it also has a dark zigzag on the back and spots on the sides. The Caucasian viper can be found in the mountains, in meadows and in forest areas. The color of the animal is bright - dark brick or light orange with a characteristic stripe on the ridge. The poison of all vipers causes hemorrhagic reactions (numerous hemorrhages), peripheral vessels and local tissue necrosis;
  Vipers are the most common poisonous snakes in Russia
• muzzle, which lives in the south of Siberia and in the Volga region, belongs to the rattlesnakes, or the family of the pit-headed ones. The snake has a long body - up to 70 cm, light gray or brownish color, dark spots on the ridge. On the head are characteristic shields. A snake bite leads to circulatory disorders and severe edema. The poison contains nephrotoxic substances, can cause internal bleeding;
  Cottonmouth belongs to rattlesnakes, its venom is highly toxic
• gyurza. It can be found in the Caucasus and Asia. This is a representative of the family of large vipers, the snake's body can reach a length of 2 meters. The bite of an animal is very painful, leads to hyperedema, the poisonous secret has powerful hemolytic and coagulating properties, causes hemorrhages, internal bleeding, vascular thrombosis, severe kidney failure.
  Gyurza venom is very dangerous, a snake bite can be fatal

From the viper family, the nosy and Asia Minor vipers are also notorious.

On the territory of the former Soviet Union and in other countries, the danger is represented by such reptiles:

• sandy efa - an inhabitant of the desert zones of Central Asia. The bite of a snake is very poisonous and often fatal;
  The desert snake efa is one of the most dangerous animals in Central Asia.
• asps (Cobra Central Asian, royal, Indian and others). They differ from each other in color and size. The Central Asian does not have a specific spectacle color. There are similarities in the behavior of these snakes: they warn of an attack by expanding their neck, raising their upper body above the ground and emitting a loud hiss. In this case, the cobra can first strike with its head (false attack) without biting the victim. The royal asp rarely bites people, as it is very shy and leads an exclusively nocturnal lifestyle. The local reaction from a cobra bite is mild, but the general reaction is extremely severe, since the animal's venom contains neurotoxins that provoke the rapid development of heart failure and paralysis of the respiratory center;
  Cobra venom contains neurotoxins, so the victim can die from paralysis of the cardio-respiratory system
• other dangerous reptiles belonging to the asp family: Australian taipans, Malay krait (Australia, Malaysia, South Asia), harlequin asp. Bites from each of these animals can be fatal in a short time;
  The exotic snake Malay Krait is extremely venomous.
• rattlesnakes (Brazilian, tree, prairie rattlesnake, tropical, pygmy rattlesnake). Distributed in the north and south of America, in the tropics, Mexico, Brazil. The snake is easily recognizable by the characteristic horny rattle on the tail, which emits a dry crackle if the snake is irritated and wants to scare away or is preparing to attack. The most dangerous are the South American diamond-backed rattlesnakes. The bite of a rattlesnake in 70–80% of cases leads to the death of the victim;
  A rattlesnake that lives in the tropics can cause the death of a careless tourist
• the water muzzle and the moccasin snake are the closest relatives of the rattlesnakes (they belong to the pitheads). They live mainly in swampy areas. The bites of these snakes are very painful, but rarely result in death;
  Water muzzle can be found in the shallow water of rivers and lakes
• hairpin snake - an inhabitant of hot Africa. A very dangerous representative of reptiles. The bite causes severe pain, vasospasm, acute heart failure. Tissue necrosis develops in the bite area;
  The hairpin snake produces a highly venomous secretion
• black Mamba. It is considered the fastest and most aggressive snake of the African continent. The bite of an animal is extremely poisonous.
  The black mamba belongs to the asp family and is one of the largest venomous snakes.

Non-venomous snakes that can bite a person:

Symptoms of a snake bite

The bites of non-venomous and venomous snakes look different. A poisonous animal firmly digs into the skin with fangs and injects poison, so two small deep wounds remain at the site of the bite, symmetrical, triangular in shape, around which swelling and redness most often quickly occur.

The bite of a venomous snake is two deep wounds, around which redness and swelling spread.

A non-venomous snake leaves several shallow wounds or parallel scratches.

A non-venomous snake leaves several bleeding wounds or scratches on the skin.

Despite the fact that the bite of a non-venomous reptile is not fatal, it can be dangerous for the development of an acute allergic reaction or infection of the wound with bacteria that are on the teeth and in the oral cavity of the snake. However, an incomparably greater danger is the ingestion of toxins into the body of the victim during the attack of a poisonous snake.

snake bite video

The severity of intoxication with a reptile bite depends on the following factors:

• the composition and amount of poison, that is, which snake bit. For example, a highly irritated great viper can inject up to 1000 mg of poisonous secretion into its prey - six times the lethal dose for an adult male. The condition of the snake's fangs also plays a role - recently replaced or broken, as well as the fullness of the poisonous glands (the secret in them accumulates slowly);
• age, weight and general health of the victim. Snake venom is most dangerous for children (especially for babies under the age of three), the elderly, pregnant women;
• bite site. If the injury fell on the leg or arm, it is less dangerous than a bite in the trunk, neck, face, or directly into the vessel. Injection of poison directly into the blood can lead to the death of a person within 10-15 minutes. Getting the venom of a rattlesnake or viper into the muscle tissue is twice as dangerous as into the subcutaneous fatty tissue;
• bite depth. If the snake stuck only the top of its teeth into the skin or scratched the skin with them, most likely the poison will not penetrate the victim’s body or an insignificant part of it will get into it, since the outlets of the poisonous ducts are not at the top, but at the base of the snake’s fangs;
• behavior after a snake attack: physical activity, running can significantly accelerate the absorption of poison into the bloodstream and enhance its toxic effect.

The bite of a snake of the viper family is characterized by the rapid development of edema

Table: how a snake bite manifests itself

Group of symptoms	Manifestations
Local manifestations	At the bite site - burning pain. Sometimes the pain may be minor; redness and swelling (very strong from viper venom) appear 10-20 minutes after the bite; the spread of soreness to the entire bitten limb (if the bite fell on the leg or arm); darkening of the skin (cyanosis) near the wound and blisters filled with bloody contents (observed with a bite of a viper, with a bite of asps - no); bloody discharge from a bitten wound; subsequently, tissue necrosis may develop in the area of ​​distribution of the poison
Cardiovascular disorders	Develop in 20–40 minutes; heart rhythm disturbance - tachycardia; drop, in some cases - to critical numbers; frequent, shallow breathing; chest pain
Neurological disorders (characterize the bite of a cobra)	Numbness in the bite area; weakness; , dizziness; vision problems: veil before the eyes, doubling of objects; speech disorder; ptosis (drooping of the eyelids), spasms of mimic muscles; disorder of coordination of movements; paresis (partial paralysis) of the limbs; vomit; confusion; with a large dose of neurotoxin, paralysis of the respiratory center is possible
General symptoms (intoxication, allergic reaction)	nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; hemorrhagic syndrome, which is characterized by subcutaneous hemorrhages, as well as bleeding in the internal organs, which is manifested by bloody vomiting and diarrhea with blood, bleeding gums; pale skin; a decrease in body temperature, with an increase in intoxication (from viper venom), after a few hours the temperature rises to 38–39 ° C; severe muscle pain; enlargement and soreness of the lymph nodes located next to the bite; loss of consciousness; symptoms of increasing renal and hepatic insufficiency; an allergic reaction, which is manifested by severe edema, with laryngeal edema and the development of suffocation being especially dangerous

The whole human body suffers from snake venom, especially the blood vessels. In the area of ​​​​a bite by a viper or a rattlesnake, they become permeable, the tissues are saturated with blood, extensive hematomas form, blood clots form in small vessels, since the poison increases blood clotting. Hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells) leads to progressive anemia and acute heart failure. Hemolytic manifestations are not observed with the bite of asps, the nervous system suffers from their poison first of all.

Extensive hematomas form in the area of ​​​​a snake bite

What is contraindicated for snake bites

• panic, make sudden active movements, run. With physical exertion, blood flow increases, toxins are more quickly spread throughout the body;
• apply a tourniquet to the bitten limb. This is a useless and extremely harmful action. Snake venom spreads very quickly throughout the body, so it is impossible to “keep” it with a tourniquet or tight bandage at the bite site. In addition, the tourniquet injures tissues saturated with toxins even more, and can aggravate necrotic changes in them;
• cauterize the wound. This will not get rid of the poison, and the bite site is even more injured;
• make incisions in the bite area. This procedure will not alleviate the patient's condition at all, and the risk of infection of the wound will increase several times. In addition, cutting tissues can damage the vascular system and speed up the entry of poison into the blood;
• take alcoholic drinks. Alcohol affects the vessels, expanding them and making them more permeable, thus, the negative effect of the poison is enhanced;
• cover the injured limb with ice. This will cause a sharp vasospasm, worsen local blood circulation, and tissue destruction may worsen.

How to provide emergency care

If bitten by a non-venomous snake, it is enough to wash the wound, treat it with an antiseptic and apply a sterile bandage. If the damaged area swells, it hurts and itches a lot, and the general state of health worsens, that is, an allergic reaction develops, it is urgent to contact a medical institution.

If a person has been bitten by a poisonous snake, it is necessary to carry out a set of urgent measures:

1. Take measures so that the snake does not bite a second time, that is, move away from the meeting point with the reptile to a safe distance.
2. Remove the compressing limb (if the bite fell on the arm or leg) parts of clothing and accessories.
3. Lie down and give the bitten area as much rest as possible to slow the spread of toxins throughout the body.
4. The recommendation to aspirate the venom from the wound is controversial. The guidelines for treating snake bites published by the WHO do not say that such a procedure should be carried out. Many experts are categorically against such actions, explaining their position by the fact that additional trauma to the bite area during suction of the wound contents can only increase the destructive effect of the poison. In addition, snake venom (especially viper venom) contains enzymes that multiply the permeability of tissues, which allows toxins to spread very quickly throughout the body. Therefore, it makes no sense to suck the poison out of the wound. Nevertheless, many sources, referring to the practical experience of snake catchers and relying on many years of experience of toxicologists and infectious disease specialists, still advise trying to suck the poison out of the wound after a bite. Only this must be done immediately after the bite, after 10-15 minutes the procedure will completely lose its meaning. It is recommended to suck out the poison with a special device - an extractor, in its absence - with the mouth (the contents must be spit out).
5. Treat the bite with any available antiseptic - chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, a weak solution of potassium permanganate, medical alcohol, brilliant green, iodine solution. This is necessary to prevent infection of the wound. Close the bite - apply a clean bandage, preferably sterile. Some sources also recommend tightly bandaging the limb to limit lymph flow (since the poison is actively spreading through the lymphatic system).
6. Call an emergency team or take the victim to the hospital yourself, it is best to go where there is a toxicology department, which has the necessary medicines and anti-snake serum.
7. Provide the bitten person with plenty of fluids. You need to drink plenty of water to reduce the concentration of poison in the body.

Video: first aid for a snake bite

Diagnosis and treatment in the hospital

Diagnostic measures for a snake bite are reduced to interviewing the victim or accompanying persons, as well as examining the bite site.

Clinical and biochemical blood tests, general urinalysis are carried out after urgent therapeutic measures. In the blood, as a rule, progressive anemia, leukocytosis, a decrease in the level of platelets, a violation of blood clotting ability (low fibrinogen level, which leads to hemorrhagic syndrome - a pathological condition characterized by increased bleeding of blood vessels), azotemia (accumulation of nitrogenous compounds in the blood due to excretion disorders of the kidneys). There is protein in the urine.

According to the indications, an electrocardiogram is performed. Careful observation of the patient should be at least 8-12 hours.

Treatment of the patient begins with the introduction of drugs to prevent the development of anaphylactic shock, relieve inflammation and edema:

• antihistamines: Diphenhydramine, Suprastin, Pipolfen intramuscularly or Cetirizine, Loratadine, Suprastin tablets;
• corticosteroids: Dexamethasone, Methylprednisolone or Prednisolone intramuscularly.

Analgesics and sedatives are also used.

The victim is injected with an antidote in accordance with the type of bitten snake - Anticobra or Antigyurza serum (used not only for a bite of a gyurza, but also for a bite of any viper). The use of the drug can cause a severe allergic reaction, so it is administered in stages: first - 0.1 ml of the drug, after a quarter of an hour - 0.25 ml. If the patient's condition has not worsened, the entire remaining dose is administered (from 500 to 1500-3000 IU, taking into account the degree of poisoning). The tool has maximum efficiency in the first hours after the bite, it is administered no later than the first 24 hours. If necessary, the serum is re-introduced. It binds the toxic components of the poison and prevents its destructive effect on the human body.

Serum against snake venom must be administered within the first day after the bite.

To alleviate the manifestations of intoxication, the patient is advised to drink liquids as much as possible, preferably alkaline water without gas. The patient is given fluids intravenously: saline solution with ascorbic acid (to improve metabolic processes and accelerate the elimination of toxins), 5% glucose solution, Hemodez, Reopoliglyukin solution, Refortan. Showing diuretics: Trifas, Lasix.

Hepatoprotectors are prescribed to prevent liver failure and broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs (Ciprofloxacin, Cefalexin, Sulbacin) for the prevention and treatment of purulent complications. The choice of antibiotic is based on the results of bakposev from the wound.

In case of violation of breathing and heart function, stimulating measures are carried out - Cordiamin, Ephedrine, Caffeine, Mezaton, Norepinephrine are administered. When cardiac and respiratory activity stops, resuscitation is performed.

Additional means for the treatment of a viper's bite are drugs to eliminate the consequences of peripheral circulatory disorders (Actovegin), vitamin preparations to normalize metabolic processes (Angiovit). Topically, heparin agents can be used: Lyoton, Heparin ointment.

Before discharge from the hospital (usually on the second day), the patient is injected with tetanus toxoid to prevent tetanus.

Photo Gallery: Snakebite Treatments

Ciprofloxacin, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent of the fluoroquinolone group, is used to treat purulent complications after snake bites. Cordiamin stimulates the central nervous system, excites the respiratory and vasomotor centers Suprastin - an antihistamine (neutralizes histamine, a substance that provokes the development of allergic inflammation), is used for snake bites to relieve an allergic reaction
Actovegin activates tissue metabolism, improves nutrition and stimulates the regeneration process. Lyoton contains heparin, which is an anticoagulant (prevents the formation of blockages in the bloodstream), is used for vascular thrombosis Prednisolone is a corticosteroid drug used as an anti-shock agent for snake bites. Hemodez is a detoxifying, plasma-substituting, antiaggregatory (reduces thrombus formation) agent

Treatment prognosis

With the timely implementation of all therapeutic measures, recovery after a bite occurs on average in 7-10 days. The edema after the attack of the viper subsides on the second day, extensive hematomas remain along the large vessels and soreness. Symptoms of intoxication disappear on the second or third day. A complication may be necrosis of the skin and soft tissues in the wound area, which requires surgical intervention.

Severe complication of snakebite is tissue necrosis.

When attacked by a cobra, a person suffers from the neurotoxic effect of the poison for about 1–2 days (subject to the timely administration of serum and additional treatment).

In case of failure to provide medical assistance to the victim, the prognosis depends on the general condition of the body, the type of snake bitten and the dose of poison. Viper venom can make a person spend up to two weeks in bed (without appropriate treatment), the poison of a large snake from asps can lead to the death of the bitten due to cardiac and respiratory arrest 6-8 hours after the bite.

A bite for a small child can be fatal, so it must be taken to the hospital as soon as possible. Even if the baby was bitten by a non-venomous snake, it must be shown to the doctor immediately, as there is a high probability of infection of the wound and an allergic reaction.

A snake bite of a pregnant woman can lead to unpredictable consequences. The poison can affect the fetus, causing bleeding and contraction of the uterus, which leads to termination of pregnancy. A mild bite and slight intoxication may resolve without consequences, but no later than 11–13 weeks, prenatal screening should be performed to determine if there are abnormalities in the development of the fetus.

Prevention measures

The first rule: the snake must never be provoked.

To avoid a bite, you need to remember:

• when meeting with a snake, you can’t scream, swing at it, try to scare it. You need to behave calmly and slowly leave her territory;
• on a hike, especially in a forest, swampy or mountainous area, you need to be careful: look under your feet, do not wander through deadwood and do not try to explore old stumps where there may be a snake nest;
• before visiting the area where snakes are supposed to live, you need to equip yourself accordingly: put on high boots (boots) and tight trousers;
• before walking through tall thick grass, you need to make sure that there is no snake: run a long stick along the grass, knock it on the ground - this will give the animal the opportunity to crawl away and hide;
• when spending the night in the forest, it is necessary to carefully check sleeping bags and tents to see if a snake has crawled there. Tents must not be left open;
• you need to choose a place to spend the night in a dry, elevated place with sparse vegetation, away from lowlands, shrubs and rocks.

To avoid a snake bite, you need to be careful in nature

Snakes are distributed on all continents of the globe. In total, there are about 3,500 of their species, more than 300 of them are classified as poisonous. 11 species of these poisonous reptiles live in Russia, but death from a snakebite is a rather rare case, since the most dangerous representatives of the fauna live in hot countries.

The most common type of venomous snake in our country is the common viper. Its range is very wide and captures not only the territory of Russia, but also the countries of Europe and Asia. In general, in terms of poisonous snakes, our country is a safe place. Often when traveling abroad, to countries with a tropical climate, this fact plays a cruel joke with our compatriots. People who are not accustomed to being afraid of representatives of the fauna behave incorrectly and can get seriously poisoned by the poison of animals, including snakes. How to recognize poisonous snakes and what to do in case of a bite - we will talk about this in this article.

Poisonous snakes of Russia

The following species are most common in our country:

Common viper. It lives in the European part of Russia, in Siberia and the Far East. It is very demanding on the biotope - it needs forest and forest-steppe zones where you can bask in the sun and hide in the undergrowth. It occurs along the banks of rivers and lakes, on the edge of swamps, in glades and in mixed forests. The body of the snake is thick, up to 75 cm long, females are larger than males. The head is triangular, the pupil is vertical, on the front edge of the upper jaw there are large poisonous teeth 4–5 mm long. The color of the snake varies from gray to red-brown, a zigzag dark stripe on the back is characteristic, but completely black vipers are also found. Vipers bite defensively, while taking a characteristic throwing position and hissing. She makes a throw to a small height - 10–15 cm, so that high boots or rubber boots can well protect against a bite. Viper venom has the ability to cause hemorrhages, increases blood clotting and causes local necrotic reactions.

Steppe viper. It differs from the common viper in its habitat - it is common in the steppe and forest-steppe zones of Europe, Kazakhstan, Moldova, southern Ukraine, China, Iran and Turkey. The size of the snake is not more than 50 cm, the color is brown or gray, there is a dark zigzag on the back, dark spots can be distinguished on the sides. No cases of human death after a bite of a steppe viper have been recorded - mostly livestock suffer from it.

Caucasian viper. It looks like a steppe viper, but is somewhat larger and has a characteristic bright color - yellow-orange or brick, with a dark stripe on the ridge. It lives in the Krasnodar Territory, in the South Caucasus and in North-Eastern Turkey. It can be found in mountainous areas in forest and meadow belts. There are isolated cases of people dying from the bites of this snake.

Common muzzle. This snake belongs to the pit-headed family. You can meet her in Southern Siberia and the Volga region. The body of this reptile is up to 70 cm long, gray or brown in color, dark wide transverse spots are located on the back. The head is covered with large shields. The bite of the muzzle is painful, accompanied by edema and circulatory disorders. Damage to the kidneys and spleen, internal hemorrhages are possible. Despite these severe symptoms, no deaths have been reported after a cottonmouth bite.

On the territory of the former Soviet republics, you can find several more types of poisonous snakes.

Exotic venomous snakes

Shchitomordnik, living on the territory of Russia, is a representative of pit vipers, or rattlesnakes. Among the southern species of rattlesnakes found in the southern United States, there are very poisonous ones in Central and South America. For example, dwarf rattlesnakes and Brazilian rattlesnakes. A rattlesnake bite is 75% fatal.

The hairpin snake lives in Africa, the venom of which consists of many toxins and has not yet been fully studied. The bite of a hairpin snake is dangerous to humans and animals and causes severe pain, constriction of blood vessels, and a heart attack. The bite site swells, hematomas and tissue necrosis develop.

viper bite

Since the main danger in the conditions of our country comes from viper snakes, we will consider the issues of first aid and treatment using the example of a common viper bite.

Symptoms of a bite from this snake will be as follows.

The consequence of a viper bite can be the necrosis of tissues at the site of the bite and the further development of necrosis and gangrene. With the wrong assistance, there is a serious danger of losing a bitten finger or even a limb.

Can a snake bite in water? Maybe, but, as a rule, vipers live far enough from the water and find themselves in it only when crossing to the other side. If a snake bit you in the water, then most likely it is already. Another thing is snakes in tropical countries. In the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific basins, there are many sea snakes, and all of them are poisonous to one degree or another.

First aid for a snake bite

What to do if bitten by a snake? The victim must be given first aid or self-help if there are no other people nearby. First aid for a snake bite is as follows:

• take measures so that the snake does not bite again;
• if the bite fell on the hand - remove rings, bracelets, etc., so that the tissues are not squeezed during edema;
• within 15–20 minutes, suck blood from the wound, periodically spitting out the contents;
• if the bite site is not available for self-suction, then you can do this with a syringe by cutting off its nose;
• treat the wound with any antiseptic - alcohol, iodine, brilliant green;
• provide the victim with peace so that the poison does not spread quickly and the body has time to fight it;
• Drinking plenty of water will help detoxify the body.

Treatment

There is a specific antidote for snakebite - a therapeutic serum obtained by hyperimmunization of horses. Each type of snake has its own serum. In Russia, you can buy serum from the poison of the common viper, sandy efa and gyurza. It should be noted that a doctor should use the serum, since, being a biological product, it can cause allergic reactions, up to anaphylactic shock.

In addition to the administration of antidote serum, snakebite treatment is symptomatic. It is necessary to drink plenty of fluids to speed up the excretion of poison by the kidneys. To prevent allergic reactions, take a pill "Suprastin", "Diphenhydramine" or another antihistamine. If necessary, the doctor prescribes supportive cardiac and pain medications.

What not to do when bitten by a snake

Can a tourniquet be used after a venomous snake bite? This stereotype has developed on the basis of information about the bites of snakes with nerve-paralytic venom - for example, cobras. In cases with bites of vipers and rattlesnakes, the application of a tourniquet is not only useless, but also extremely harmful. Firstly, viper venom spreads very quickly through the bloodstream, and secondly, tissue injury will only exacerbate necrotic changes at the bite site.

What else not to do with a snake bite:

• cauterize the bite site;
• take alcohol;
• cut or cut the skin at the site of the bite.

With the development of a general allergic reaction, the victim must be urgently taken to the hospital.

Bites from non-venomous snakes

Sometimes a person is bitten by a non-venomous snake. Is there any reason for concern in this case? Yes, but only if you have confused a non-venomous snake with a poisonous one. On the territory of Russia, copperheads and snakes are very often suspicious.

Already differs from the viper in black and orange spots on the back of the head and the absence of a zigzag stripe on the back. You can confuse the snake with a rare black viper. The head of the snake is oval, while that of the viper is oval-triangular. The scales of the snake glisten in the sun, while the scales of the viper are matte. Snakes live mainly near water bodies. The snake bite is not so painful and does not cause severe swelling and hemorrhages.

Copperhead is not poisonous. This snake up to 70 cm long, gray or brown, lives in almost the entire European part of Russia. Its saliva is toxic, but the bite of the copperfish is dangerous only for its prey - lizards and other small vertebrates, since the snake's teeth are located in such a way that it is not able to bite a person.

Those who keep exotic snakes at home should be aware of boa constrictor bites. Boas are rather peaceful snakes, but in case of danger they can attack and bite. The bites of large individuals are quite painful, but not poisonous. The wound must be treated with an antiseptic so as not to infect - and the incident will remain without consequences.

What to do if a snake has bitten a child

If a child is bitten by a snake, then do not panic. It is necessary to calm the baby, take off his shoes or roll up his sleeves, depending on the site of the bite. Wash the bite site with laundry soap and treat with an antiseptic. Provide your baby with plenty of fluids, preferably something with a diuretic effect - black tea, herbal decoctions. Give an antihistamine to prevent an allergic reaction. If the child is not vaccinated against tetanus, then it is necessary to give an injection of tetanus toxoid.

Try to remember the snake, call an ambulance and describe its appearance. If the child is less than three years old, or the bite fell on the neck, face area - immediately seek medical help, even if you are sure that the snake is not poisonous.

Let's summarize all of the above. A small number of poisonous snakes live on the territory of Russia, there are practically no deaths from their bites. The most dangerous is the bite of the common viper. Risk factors - childhood, diseases of the cardiovascular system, allergies to snake venom, bites in the neck and head. First aid consists in suctioning the poison from the wound, disinfecting the bite site and taking the victim to the hospital, where he will be given an antidote - a specific serum. For several days, you need to stay in bed and drink plenty of fluids to speed up the removal of toxins from the body. In severe cases, supportive therapy may be needed - anti-shock, cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory. The effects of a snakebite usually go away within a week. A complication may be impaired kidney function or infection of the wound at the site of the bite.