Snake bites

Alternative Names

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the type of snake, but may include:

• Bleeding from wound
• Blurred vision
• Burning of the skin
• Convulsions
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Excessive sweating
• Fainting
• Fang marks in the skin
• Fever
• Increased thirst
• Loss of muscle coordination
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness and tingling
• Rapid pulse
• Tissue death
• Severe pain
• Skin discoloration
• Swelling at the site of the bite
• Weakness

Rattlesnake bites are painful when they occur. Symptoms usually begin right away and may include:

• Bleeding
• Breathing difficulty
• Blurred vision
• Eyelid drooping
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness
• Pain at site of bite
• Paralysis
• Rapid pulse
• Skin color changes
• Swelling
• Tingling
• Tissue damage
• Thirst
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Weak pulse

Cottonmouth and copperhead bites are painful right when they occur. Symptoms, which usually begin right away, may include:

• Bleeding
• Breathing difficulty
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness and tingling
• Pain at site of bite
• Shock
• Skin color changes
• Swelling
• Thirst
• Tiredness
• Tissue damage
• Weakness
• Weak pulse

Coral snake bites may be painless at first. Major symptoms 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. Symptoms may include:

• Blurred vision
• Breathing difficulty
• Convulsions
• Drowsiness
• Eyelid drooping
• Headache
• Low blood pressure
• Mouth watering (excessive salivation)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness
• Pain and swelling at site of bite
• Paralysis
• Shock
• Slurred speech
• Swallowing difficulty
• Swelling of tongue and throat
• Weakness
• Skin color changes
• Skin tissue damage
• Stomach or abdominal pain
• Weak pulse

References

Tintinalli JE, Kelen GD, Stapcynski JS, eds. Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 2004.