Copperhead Snake Bite

Copperhead snakes are pit vipers and members of the Crotalidae family. They use two heat sensing pits present between the eyes and nostrils to locate their prey. The copperhead snake is named for the coloration on the dorsal side of their head. They are chestnut colored snakes with band on their body that is dark or brown in color. A young copperhead snake can be identified by the greenish or yellowish tip on their tails. An adult copperhead snake can grow up to 20 to 40 inches in length. It is seen that 37% of snakebites are a result of copperhead snake bite. However, copperhead snakebite rarely proves to be a fatal strike. Let us go into the details of copperhead snakebite symptoms and treatment.

Copperhead Snakebite Symptoms
A copperhead snake is perfectly camouflaged under heaps of leaves in the wilderness. If you ever come across a copperhead snake do not attempt to pick it up or kill it. A copperhead snakebite is result of an over-enthusiastic or over freaked out reaction by humans. If given a chance, a copperhead snake usually prefers to slither down its snake hole or hide under a ledge or anywhere away from the intruding human. However, if escape is not possible, the snake will stand to its ground. It will display a strike pose and lash out at the enemy. If the enemy, that is, human is in close range, it may cause the fangs to penetrate the skin. This is just display threat as the snake prefers to scare the human away, rather than waste its precious venom by biting. However, unfortunately, if one does get bitten by a copperhead snake, you should watch out for the symptoms. These copperhead snakebite symptoms, help medical caregivers get a correct identification of the snake and carry on with the proper copperhead snakebite treatment. The symptoms copperhead snakebite include:

• Swelling
• Local tissue injury
• Abnormally low blood pressure
• Absence of blood clotting
• Generalized weakness of limbs

Copperhead Snakebite Effects
A copperhead snakebite contains a mild type of snake venom compared to other snakes. If immediate copperhead snakebite treatment is not sought, it will lead to serious complications. The copperhead snakebite effects leads to severe pain, extensive scarring and loss of use of limb that was bitten. In case of healthy adults, copperhead snakebite is rarely fatal. Extensive local tissue damage and secondary wound infections are also some of the copperhead snakebite effects. In case of animals, small pets are more sensitive to the copperhead snakebite venom. Small dogs, cats, etc. can die due to copperhead snakebites. Let us have a look at information related to copperhead snakebite treatment and help save victims.

Copperhead Snakebite Treatment
If you come across a copperhead snakebite victim, you should first and foremost calm the victim down. Then, you need to remove any constricted clothing around the bite site or it may cause swelling. If you spot discoloration around the bite wound, you should call the emergency services immediately. Wash the bite site with soap and water and cover the patient with a warm blanket. Do not move the area and keep it at a lower level than the heart. Cover the bite site with a cool moist dressing to keep the swelling to a minimum.

If you cannot reach the emergency services within 30 minutes, you need to tie a bandage or clot 2 to 4 inches above the bite site. This will help in stopping the spread of venom. Then you can use a suction device, if available to draw out the venom. You can find suction devices in first aid for snake bites kits. Do not apply tourniquet to the wound. Also, do not give any medications, pain killers, etc. to the victim. Totally avoid giving anything orally to the victim.

The patient will be given an anti-venom injection by a medical caregiver and treated with minor medical treatment. Copperhead snakebite recovery takes a few weeks and is rarely fatal. You should stay away from snakes and let them be alone. Most of these copperhead snakes as well other snake species prefer not to bite. If you ever come across one, do not panic or try to kill the snake. Wilderness is its home, you are the one trespassing. You should make your homes and gardens snake proof to avoid any kind of mishaps. You can read all about how to get rid of snakes in your yard and protect yourself and your family. If you spot one in your backyard, call animal control to catch and release the snake in wild. This would be a lot better than trying to kill the creature and getting bitten instead. It is seen 95% of snakebite cases involve people trying to kill snakes. You should also teach your children to stay away from different types of snakes in the wild. This was all about copperhead snakebite. Hope the above paragraphs have managed to give you some vital information related to copperhead snakes.