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How to deal with bites of snakes and scorpions

 Snake and scorpion bites

Many people are exposed to snakes and scorpions bites, and although most types of snakes and scorpions do not pose a real threat to human life, it is necessary to identify the symptoms of bites, how to deal with them, and how to avoid them.

scorpions

scorpions



The scorpion belongs to the arachnid class. The scorpion has an elongated body, eight legs, two pincers in the front of the body, and a tail made of pieces that end with the poisonous needle with which the scorpion is stung. There are about (2000) species of scorpions in the world, but most of them are not dangerous; As only about (25-40) species can cause real or fatal harm to humans, despite that, the sting of a scorpion is painful, and it can be fatal, especially if the stung is a child.

Scorpion bite symptoms

A person who is stung by a scorpion feels pain, tingling, and numbness at the site of the injury, and the symptoms are often mild, but some people may suffer from severe symptoms, including:

  1. difficulty swallowing.
  2. blurred vision spasm.
  3. increased salivation.
  4. breathing difficulties.
  5. Abnormal eye movement.
  6. Numbness extending away from the bite site.
  • How to deal with scorpion bites
The victim and those around him must take the following measures when being stung by a scorpion:

  • Clean the sting area with soap and water, to get rid of poison remnants and reduce the risk of infection.
  • Calming the victim and limiting his movement, and keeping the place of the bite at the level of the heart, or lower to slow the spread of poison.
  • Apply cold compresses to the affected area for a period of (10-15) minutes, and remove them for ten minutes, and repeat this during the first two hours of the bite, in order to reduce pain and swelling, and prevent the poison from spreading quickly in the body, and if the injured suffers from circulatory problems, he must The period of applying cold compresses should not exceed (5) minutes each time.
  • Take pain relievers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that do not need a prescription, such as: ibuprofen, aspirin, and adhere to the attached instructions, and if the pain is severe, you should consult a doctor.
  • Seek urgent medical help if the casualty loses consciousness, or experiences severe convulsions, and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation steps if the heart is suspected of stopping beating.
  • Refer to the doctor after performing first aid for the injured, even if he feels better, and the doctor may advise taking a tetanus vaccine, muscle relaxants, and antibiotics to avoid complications.
Urgent medical attention should be called in the following cases:
 
  1. If the patient is a child, or an adult, or has heart or lung problems.
If the patient has the following symptoms:

  1. vomiting.
  2. sweating Drooling, or foaming at the mouth.
  3. Urination, or involuntary defecation.
  4. Muscle spasms, inability to control head, neck, or eye movements.
  5. difficulty walking Arrhythmia.
  6. Difficulty swallowing, speaking, breathing, or seeing. 
  7. Severe swelling caused by an allergic reaction.

Prevention of scorpion stings

To prevent scorpion stings, the following precautions must be taken:

  1. Avoid keeping piles of wood and rocks around the house.
  2. Trim trees around the house to ensure scorpions do not get inside, and mow the lawn regularly.
  3. Close cracks, and use insulating materials around doors and windows to prevent scorpions from entering the home.
  4. Check and check unused shoes and clothes for a long time before putting them on, as well as gardening gloves.
  5. Wear clothes that cover the legs and arms when hiking or camping, and check sleeping bags before using them.

snakes


snake



Most snakes are non-venomous, although it would be bad to be bitten by any snake. It is difficult to distinguish between venomous snakes and non-venomous snakes, so the bites of all snakes must be dealt with as if they were venomous. Among the most famous venomous snakes, the copper-headed snake, coral snakes, moccasin snakes, and rattlesnakes can be mentioned.

Symptoms of a poisonous snake bite

A snake bite can be distinguished from others by the presence of two holes or two wounds in the area of the bite, and the symptoms of a poisonous snake bite vary according to the type of snake, in general, the symptoms of a snake bite are as follows:

  1. Feeling weak and dizzy.
  2. Unconsciousness.
  3. convulsions; Nausea, vomiting.
  4. Diarrhea.
  5. Increased pulse rate.
  6. Muscular coordination disorder.
  7. Swelling and redness in the area of the bite.
  8. Numbness in the face and extremities.
  9. Feeling of pain in the sting area.
  10. Vision disturbance.
  11. Breathing difficulty.
  12. Sweating, and drooling.

First aid for a snake bite

  • Urgently seek medical help.
  • Calm, limit movement as much as possible; Because movement speeds up the transmission of poison in the body.
  • Get rid of jewelry or clothing around the bite area because it will swell.
  • Take a picture of the snake, if possible, to identify its type, determine the appropriate treatment, and not try to catch it.
  • Gently clean the wound, covering it with a clean cloth.
  • Upon arrival at the medical center, treatment can be determined based on the symptoms that appear on the patient, and the patient may remain under medical observation for 24 hours; In some cases, it may take a long time for symptoms to develop. Medical treatment may include giving the victim anti-snake venom, an antibiotic to prevent wound infection, and a tetanus vaccine, and in case of severe bites, the doctor may resort to surgery.
The things that should be avoided when being bitten by a snake, because it may make the situation worse, they are:

  • Absorption of poison through the mouth, or by means of a suction pump.
  • Washing the bite area, because this will miss the opportunity to examine the remnants of poison and identify the type of snake, and determine the best treatment.
  • Use cold compresses on the wound area.
  • Raise the sting area above the level of the heart.
  • Giving the patient pain relievers, or any medications except under medical supervision.
  • Eating any type of food or drink. Injury to the sting area. Use a tourniquet.

Prevention of snakebite.

  1. Avoid sitting, or inserting hands, in places that may form a suitable hiding place for snakes, such as bushes, or near trees, tall grasses, or rocks.
  2. Pay attention and look down while walking in places where snakes may be present.
  3. Do not try to catch a snake even if it is dead, because some snakes have the ability to sting a minute or so after their death.
  4. Wear long-necked walking shoes.
  5. Make a noise while walking in the places where the snakes are, to give them the opportunity to escape.

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