Snake Bite

Symptoms

Many people who live in cities in Canada and the United States are never confronted with the potential danger of bites from venomous snakes. Not all snakes are poisonous and, of those that are, not all cause severe sickness. Although being bitten by a snake can be a frightening experience, common sense, reassurance and calm behavior are necessary for recovery. Panic can cause symptoms, even when there is no venom, including sweating, a racing heart, weakness and difficulty breathing. If the bite is poisonous, the adrenalin released by the panic can help the venom to circulate more quickly. Every year, many people are bitten by snakes, yet very few die. At greatest risk are children and the elderly, who should be kept calm and brought under medical care quickly.

Remembering the color and design on the snake helps medical attendants to choose an antivenom. Look at the bite. If there are many teeth marks but no deep fang marks, the snake was probably not venomous. If one or two fang marks are evident, there is a good chance that the snake bite contains venom. A venomous bite will swell quickly, usually within the first ten minutes. Normally, the pain is intense and the skin discolors within hours. Tingling and numbness typically appear around the mouth, or in the fingers and toes. A fever with chills develops and the person will feel nauseated and vomit. Symptoms of shock are dangerous. Very poisonous venom will cause muscle spasms and, in rare instances, paralysis. Always seek medical attention after a snake bite, whether or not the bite seems poisonous.

Causes

Rattlesnake bites account for the greatest number of venomous snake bites in both Canada and the U.S. The poison consists mainly of protein enzymes which produce symptoms, but severity depends on the type of snake, the amount of poison injected and the state of the person who has been bitten. To avoid rattlesnake bites, if you are hiking or working in dry brush, wear pants and high boots, preferably thick jeans. Stay on paths and do not turn over rocks. Sleep inside a tent, do not litter and keep food in parcels high in trees. Children should not be allowed to explore while hiking or camping in snake country, since they are most vulnerable to the toxic effects of snake bites. Less common snakes with venom are copperheads, cottonmouths and coral snakes.

Nutrition

Seek immediate emergency help for venomous snake bites. In the meantime, take two tablespoons fresh juice of wheat, barley or alfalfa three times daily. The chlorophyll they contain helps detoxify the blood.

Nutritional Supplements

Very high doses of vitamin C and calcium are excellent to combat the toxic effects of all kinds of venomous bites and also alleviate the pain. Consume vitamin C to bowel tolerance (for more information, see Section 6, Nutritional Supplements).

Daily dosages:

Most Important

Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 4,000-10,000 mg immediately following a bite and 1,000 mg every four hours

Helpful

Calcium, 500 mg every four hours

Herbal Remedies

Snake bites inject a toxin into the blood and lymph system that affects internal organs and causes the formation of harmful free radicals in the body. Herbal remedies can promote healing of the skin, decrease inflammation, help the body cleanse residual toxins from the blood and boost the immune system.

Immediately take 1 tsp. of echinacea to counteract a poisonous snake bite. The North American indians have used echinacea as a snake bite remedy since early times.

Take 10-20 drops of echinacea tincture in liquid (yellow dock tea will enhance the effect), or 1-2 capsules or tablets three times daily for up to a week, if required.

To soothe the bite and speed scarless healing, slice a fresh leaf of aloe and dab the gel on the bite two to three times daily.

To alleviate pain and symptoms, wash the area with water distilled from leaves and roots of snakeroot, after seeing a doctor.

After all the venom is removed and the bite is thoroughly cleansed and disinfected, apply a comfrey and plaintain salve to speed healing.

Homeopathy

The following remedies are useful for snake bites and for venomous spider bites.For any emergency situation, medical help must be sought immediately. The remedies recommended below can be extremely helpful in alleviating pain and combating the toxic effects while waiting for help. Using the 30c strength, choose one of the remedies below, repeating the dosage every fifteen minutes for three doses, then every hour if necessary. While these remedies do not replace medical aid, they will not interfere with other treatments.

Ledum should be considered for all bites, since it is most useful in puncture wounds, especially if the affected area becomes cold and numb.

Apis is useful if the bite feels very hot, swells dramatically and is discolored red.

Carbolic acid is useful in later stages if collapse threatens. Breathing is shallow, the pulse weak and exhaustion is apparent. An acute sensitivity to smells is typical.

Tissue Salts

For tissue salt remedies, see these related conditions: fever, panic attack, pain, nausea, sweating and vomiting.

External/Physical Therapies

If the person with a snake bite is within forty minutes of medical help, reassurance, rest, warmth and transportation to a medical facility will suffice. If you are further from help, some easy steps will help, but heroic acts of cutting and sucking out the venom should be deterred. These are usually carried out incorrectly and create additional problems as a result. Suction cups available in snake bite kits help if performed calmly and used immediately following the bite.

The bitten person should remain as still as possible to avoid the venom spreading to other parts of the body. Splint the limb if necessary and allow it to lie below the heart.

Encourage a little bleeding at the bite, to rid the body of the poison, then stop the bleeding with bandages.

Apply some alcohol to disinfect the bite.

Avoid applying ice to an area to reduce circulation as this will actually stimulate blood flow.

Bandage the limb above the bite firmly, so a finger can comfortably slide underneath, and check for tightness every ten minutes. Take care that the bandage does not get too tight as swelling increases.

Refrain from giving any Aspirin© or other medication, which interfere with medical care later.

To draw out toxins, mix 1 tbsp. of medicinal clay with 1/2 cup of water. Dab on the affected area every two hours on the first day and apply a clay compress for the night.

A capsule of vitamin E pierced and emptied onto the skin supports healing and reduces pain and scarring.

Apply vitamin C directly onto the skin by mixing the powder with a little bit of water and spreading the paste onto the bite.

Other Suggestions

Snakes usually bite only when feeling threatened. They like to bask in the sun in dry grass or on a rock before noon and, if not disturbed, will not attack. If there is a group of hikers walking by, the snake might only be irritated enough by the time the last person walks by, so let the bravest hiker armed with a stick walk last.

When exploring caves, look into crevices and on top of rocks before placing your hand to find a grip.

Always carry a gauze strip and a small vial with alcohol when hiking.

Available Brand Name Products

Herbal Remedies

Echinacea Fresh Juice Extract (Natural Factors)

Echinacea Tincture (Natural Factors)

Echinacea Angustifolia Extract (Nature’s Herbs)

Yellow Dock Root (Nature’s Herbs)

Homeopathy

Apis (Nelsons Homeopathy)

External Therapies

Bentonite Clay, Hydrated (Inno-Vite)