People who are in places with a large number of snakes are exposed to being bitten, but there are a number of people who do not know the correct way to act, to protect themselves from snake venom, while the World Health Organization reveals the number of people who are exposed to snake bites.
Although there are those who follow the most famous and widely promoted method, which is called the cowboy trick, which is to apply a bandage to stop the blood and use a blade to cut the bite wound and absorb the venom, is this method the best way to get rid of snake venom? What other methods should be adopted in this case?
Sucking snake venom is of no use
According to statistics issued by the World Health Organization, approximately 5.4 million people are exposed to snake bites every year around the world, and about 81,000 to 138,000 of these bites are fatal.
Therefore, if it were really easy to treat a snake bite by adopting the method of sucking out the venom, the death toll would not be so high.
Research has proven that this old method has lost its credibility, and that it leads to adverse results, because the process of binding the site of the bite contributes to preventing blood flow, which increases its concentration in one area of the body.
The poison usually spreads through the victim’s body very quickly; So that there is no hope of absorbing a sufficient amount to make any significant difference.
In addition, cutting the wound and sucking it only increases the risk of infection, while it can cause more damage at the tissue level, and the risk may reach the point that this method costs the victim a limb.
Correct ways to deal with a snake bite
Doctors always advise, in the event of a snake bite, not to touch the affected area, and to seek immediate medical assistance while trying to remain calm.
The Mayo Clinic recommends removing any tight clothing in case of swelling, and avoiding caffeine, which can increase the heart rate.
You should also refrain from taking any medications or pain relievers, because their role may be counterproductive and will not help in reducing the severity of the sting.
It is also a good idea to remember what the snake looks like so you can describe it once you get proper medical care, to know how venomous it is depending on the species.
How to identify a poisonous snake?
Venomous species of snakes tend to have oval, cat-like pupils, while non-venomous snakes have round pupils.
Another way to help identify a venomous snake is the shape of the wound it leaves after a bite. Poisonous snakes generally leave two deep wounds, while non-venomous species tend to leave a ring of shallow puncture marks.
To ensure safety if you head to a place known to be infested with snakes, you can do a little research to see if there are any types of snakes you should be careful of in the area you are going to.
Dry snake bites are less toxic
It should be noted that the percentage of dry poisonous snake bites reaches up to 25% of all other bites.
Which means that these bites do not contain poison at all, which makes them completely harmless, and can be treated quickly.
This is because snakes can control the amount of venom they release with each bite, when they realize that the victim is too big to eat.
In this case, she saves the poison for herself in the form of a weapon, and consumes it in order to sting the other victim, who is considered an easy meal for her.
#Absorbing #venom #snake #bite #Learn #number #bitten #people #correct #method #dealing
2024-04-14 10:04:50
