Symptoms of Snake Bite

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SNAKE BITES.

There are two different types of snake bite:

• venomous bites - where the snake releases venom, and
• dry bites - where the snake releases no venom; this often occurs because the snake does not want to waste its venom on a prey that it considers to be too big to eat.

Symptoms of dry bites.

The symptoms of a dry bite are usually limited to the part of the body that has been bitten. The symptoms include:

• pain,
• swelling, and
• redness.

Dry bites should not require specialist medical treatment. However, if you are bitten by a snake, you should still visit your local accident and emergency (A&E) department because there is a risk that the bite could become infected, and you may require antibiotics to prevent infection occurring.

Symptoms of poisonous bites.

While each individual may experience symptoms differently, the following are the most common symptoms of poisonous snake bites:

• bloody wound discharge
• fang marks in the skin and swelling at the site of the bite
• severe localized pain
• diarrhea
• burning
• convulsions
• fainting
• dizziness
• weakness
• blurred vision
• excessive sweating
• fever
• increased thirst
• loss of muscle coordination
• nausea and vomiting
• numbness and tingling

· tissue necrosis

· skin discoloration

• rapid pulse
• severe pain

Snake venoms can be classified as hemotoxic (attacking tissue and blood) and neurotoxic (damaging or destroying nerve tissue). Pit viper snake venoms are hemotoxic.

Terminology: drooping of the eyelid (ptosis),difficulty swallowing (dysphagia),double vision (diplopia)

SPECIFIC SYMPTOMS FOR COBRA BITE.

The onset of symptoms and signs following a cobra bite can be extremely variable.

• Immediate, local pain (almost always present)
• Soft tissue swelling (may be progressive)
• Neurologic findings, which may begin early and be rapidly progressive (in anecdotal cases, victims have suffered respiratory arrest in a matter of minutes) or may be delayed in onset as long as 24 hours
• Alteration of mental status (eg, drowsiness, occasionally with euphoria)
• Complaints related to cranial nerve dysfunction, such as ptosis (often one of the earliest neurotoxic findings), ophthalmoplegia, dysphagia, and dysphasia
• Profuse salivation, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
• Paresis of neck and jaw muscles and generalized muscular weakness followed by flaccid paralysis
• Shortness of breath, respiratory failure (muscular paresis and accumulated secretions)
• Chest pain or tightness
• Eye pain, tearing, blurred vision (with eye exposure to venom from spitting cobras)

Physical

• Impending respiratory failure
• Respiratory distress or weakness
• Cyanosis
• Neurologic dysfunction
• Altered mental status
• Ptosis (may be the earliest sign of systemic toxicity)
• Generalized weakness or paralysis
• Cardiovascular collapse
• Hypotension
• Tachycardia or bradycardia
• Soft tissue edema
• Signs of necrosis usually appear within 48 hours of the bite.
• The area around the fang punctures darkens.
• Blistering may follow.
• Necrosis is usually confined to the skin and subcutaneous tissue but may be quite extensive.
• A putrid smell is characteristic.
• Acute inflammation of the eye follows venom-spitting exposure and is characterized by ocular congestion, edema of the conjunctiva and cornea, and a whitish discharge.

Anaphylaxis (severe allergic shock)

In a small number of people, snakes bites (both dry and venomous) can trigger a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

• swollen face, lips, tongue, and throat,
• swelling in the throat that can cause breathing difficulties,
• rapid heartbeat, and
• itchy skin.

Anaphylaxis can also cause a drop in blood pressure, which can lead to shock and cause symptoms of:

• dizziness,
• cold and clammy skin,
• mental confusion, and in some cases
• loss of consciousness.