Snake bite poison


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Snake bite on the finger
Snake bite on the finger
Snake bite on the finger
Snake bite on the finger
Symptoms

Rattlesnake bites are immediately painful and signs and symptoms such as those listed below usually begin immediately:

Cottonmouth and copperhead bites are immediately painful and signs and symptoms such as those listed below, usually begin immediately:



  • body as a whole
    • swelling
    • pain at site of bite
    • thirst
    • weakness
    • tiredness
    • shock
    • tingling
    • numbness
  • respiratory
    • difficulty breathing
  • skin
    • discoloration of skin
    • destruction of tissue
  • gastrointestinal
    • nausea, vomiting
  • heart and blood vessels
    • weak pulse
    • low blood pressure
    • bleeding

Coral snake bites can initially be painless. In fact, major symptoms such as those listed below may not develop for hours. DO NOT make the mistake of thinking you will be fine if the bite area looks good and you are not in a lot of pain. Untreated coral snake bites can be deadly:

  • body as a whole
    • pain at site of bite
    • swelling
    • drowsiness
    • weakness
    • slurred speech
    • headache
    • shock
    • paralysis
    • numbness of the affected area
  • respiratory
    • breathing difficulty (change in the pattern of breathing)
  • eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • skin
    • discoloration of skin
    • destruction of tissue
  • gastrointestinal
    • nausea, vomiting
    • stomach or abdominal pain
  • heart and blood vessels
    • low blood pressure
    • weak pulse
  • nervous system


Review Date: 02/13/2006
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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