One of my characters is bitten by a venomous snake - I haven't really specified what kind. Can you think of ANY treatment for snake bite in this situation that would actually be effective? Right now I have them just sort of treating the symptoms - keeping the wound clean, applying snow when it starts to swell, etc.
Are there any more effective things they could be doing, in the absence of antivenin?
Hello.
Sure. There are a few measures that you can use, depending on
how savvy the caregivers are. Right away, first aid measures should be taken as
follows:
--Avoid panic—keep heart rate down, keep victim quiet. Most
bites are not fatal. In the USA, less than one percent of bites are fatal.
--No ice/snow application. May cause tissue damage.
--No tourniquet.
--No sucking out the venom—this includes older snake bite
kits.
--Wash the wound—helps remove any residual venom on the skin,
and helps cut down on bacteria. DO NOT use alcohol—this damages the raw tissue
in the wound.
--Keep the heart above the wound. Immobilize the
extremity (if bitten on extremity)
--Consider carrying the victim. Walking is exercise and will
increase heart rate.
--If possible, try to ID the snake. Don’t let the snake get
in another bite by trying to catch or kill it.
If you do kill it and transport it, keep in mind the dead
snake can still bite for a couple of hours.
It is possible to use a homeopathic remedy if medical help is
unavailable or delayed. This isn’t a definitive treatment, but may help.
Plants to treat snake bite:
--Rattlesnake master (false aloe)—clean off roots; scrape
well. Cut up and crush root
pieces between pieces of wood. (see photo left)
--Yarrow root—process as above for false aloe.
--Willow bark (from which comes acetyl salicylic acid, also
known as aspirin.) Cut into small pieces.
Combine the above and apply directly to the wound as a
poultice. Wrap with cloth (strips of clothing, for example).
Over the next few hours there will be a lot of swelling,
bruising, and pain associated with the bite. Chewing willow bark may help
decrease pain, as can birch bark. Yarrow may numb the wound.
Ultimately, evacuation to a hospital and treatment with
antivenin is ideal. Even if it’s a couple of days away, always travel toward
the nearest help.
Questions? Comments?
~*~
Kelly has worked in the medical field for over twenty years, mainly at large medical centers. With experience in a variety of settings, chances are Kelly may have seen it. Sometimes truth seems stranger than fiction in medicine, but accurate medicine in fiction is fabulous.
Find Kelly’s fiction at www.kellywhitley.com
