How do you treat a snake bite if you’re bitten in MS? What to do & what not to do
They slither. They strike. And sometimes they pack a mean bite.
In Mississippi, there are more than 55 species of snakes, according to the Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks website.
Out of those 55 species, only six are venomous.
But of course, if you are bitten by any snake, it can be a frightening time.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates around 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by a snake each year in the United States.
And around five people die every year from a snake bite.
Things to remember
According to Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks website, here’s some advice:
More than 85% of all snakebites are by nonvenomous species.
Of all bites by venomous snakes, 25-50% do not inject any venom.
More importantly, mortality is less than 1% for physician-treated venomous snakebites in the United States
How to treat the bite
Johns Hopkins Medicine says to do the following while you are waiting for emergency help to arrive:
Wash the bite with soap and water.
Keep the bitten area still and lower than the heart.
Cover the area with a clean, cool compress or a moist dressing to ease swelling and discomfort.
Monitor breathing and heart rate.
Remove all rings, watches and constrictive clothing, in case of swelling.
Note the time of the bite so that it can be reported to an emergency room health care provider if needed.
If possible, try to remember to draw a circle around the affected area and mark the time of the bite and the initial reaction. If you are able, redraw the circle around the site of injury marking the progression of time.
After help has arrived, you will be given antibiotics, pain medicine and antivenin if needed.
Here’s what not to do
According to the CDC, here’s a list of things you should not do after being bitten by a snake:
Don’t try to approach or kill the snake. It could strike again and bite a second time.
Do not wait for symptoms to appear.
Do not apply a tourniquet.
Do not slash the wound with a knife or cut it in any way.
Do not try to suck out the venom.
Do not apply ice or immerse the wound in water.
Do not drink alcohol as a painkiller.
Do not take pain relievers (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen).
