Medical Treatment for Snake Bites

Last night while we were working outside, a garter snake (pictured at left) scared the living daylights out of us by appearing in the space left behind when we lifted a concrete water spout. Of course I thought it was enormous and poisonous and freaked out. (Jesse: “Kristen, chill. It’s like the smallest snake on the planet and it’s not bothering anyone.” Me: “Kill it, kill it, kill it.” Jesse: [rolling eyes])

After taking several photos and frantically comparing them to every snake pic on the internet, I identified it as a harmless, though mildly terrifying, Eastern gartersnake. Great, so if it bit Jesse, who was intent on getting close enough to it to give me a heart attack, I wouldn’t have to use my bra to create a venom-containing tourniquet on the way to the hospital. But what should I do?

Here’s what I found out:

1. All snakes have teeth; only pit vipers (copperheads, rattlesnakes, and cottonmouths) have fangs. North American pit vipers have only two rows of teeth on top and bottom, whereas nonpoisonous snakes have four on top and four on the bottom. *
2. Generally, the worst thing that happens from a nonpoisonous snake bite is that it scares the dickens out of you and you might get a minor infection at the bite. A bite from a poisonous snake, however, causes an almost immediate reaction–swelling, tissue turning a dark blue-black, a tingling sensation, and nausea. * (And if any of those things happen, call 911. Do not try to suck out the venom or do anything else you see in the movies.)
3. If you’re bitten by a nonpoisonous snake, remove tight clothing or jewelry in case the bite area swells, cleanse it with soap and water, and apply an ice pack in 15-minute intervals until it stops hurting. *

So, basically if you get bitten by a nonpoisonous snake, follow the same procedure you would if you got a cat scratch. If you get bitten by a poisonous snake, call emergency medical services. But to avoid either of those situations, be aware of your surroundings, and never try to get close to wild animals of any type, no matter how interesting or cute they are.

Because nothing says adorable like a snake.

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King