How should parents handle when a baby is bitten by a snake?

It is entirely possible for a baby to be bitten by a snake. Some common venomous snakes such as krait, cobra, coral snake, viper. And also many snakes are not venomous. About 30% of venomous snakes bite may not secrete venom. However, it can still cause other damage to the child's body. 

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• Symptoms of baby being bitten by a snake
• How to give first aid when a child is bitten by a poisonous snake
• It is not clear if the baby bitten by a snake is a healthy snake or a poisonous snake
• How to prevent a baby from being bitten by a snake?

Symptoms of baby being bitten by a snake

Most healthy snakes do not cause any serious symptoms that affect the health of the child. If bitten by a venomous snake, there may be significant swelling and bruising in the wound. These symptoms usually appear within 30 minutes. In addition, the child may show other signs:

Baby bitten by snake

• Bleeding wound;
• Snake bite marks on the skin;
• Nausea or vomiting;
• dizziness, headache, or fainting;
• Difficulty swallowing;
• Weakness;
• Nosebleeds, bleeding teeth or bloody urine;
• Cold hands and feet;
• Pale skin;
• Shortness of breath.

If bitten by a coral snake, the child may be in pain but not cause significant tissue damage or bruising. However, if not treated in time, it can be life-threatening.

How to give first aid when a child is bitten by a poisonous snake

Take the child to the hospital immediately

When you discover that your baby has been bitten by a snake , you need to calmly bring the child to a safe place. Within the first 4 hours of being bitten by a venomous snake, get your child to the hospital emergency room as quickly as possible. This is one of the most important things for snakebite treatment. It is important to keep your child still in one position. This helps limit the venom from getting too much into the body. If your child is bitten on an arm or leg, loosen clothing and remove a bracelet or ring before the wound becomes swollen. 

Do not give your child anything to eat or drink. Keep your child warm, but do not apply heat to the bite. You can monitor your baby's heart rate and breathing while taking them to the hospital.

Take your child to the hospital right away

Antivenom

The best way to help treat a venomous snake bite is to get your child to the hospital as quickly as possible. At that time, the child will be given first aid and timely treatment by medical staff. Current antivenom has saved many dangerous cases.

Do not suck venom

Extraction of the venom only removes very little of the venom and is usually not helpful. It is important to NEVER try to suck the venom out of a snake with its mouth. Not only will this not help, but it may even cause an infection in the wound. There's also another risk that the venom can get into your bloodstream through an open wound. Do not try to squeeze the wound to get venom because it is not effective. Finally, do not use ice or any folk medicine or leaves on the wound. These can cause stiffness and damage to the baby's skin later in life.

Do not suck snake venom

It is not clear if the baby bitten by a snake is a healthy snake or a poisonous snake

Sometimes in some situations, parents find that the baby has been bitten by a snake but cannot find the snake. If the snake is dead and it is difficult to determine whether the snake is poisonous or not, it is best to bring the snake to the hospital for a doctor to determine. 

Taking care of children at home

Usually, the small teeth of a healthy snake may not tear the skin. Then you need to wash the wound with soap and water. In the event of a break in the skin, the child should be vaccinated against tetanus if he has not had one in the last 5 years.

Take the child to the hospital immediately if

• Had one or two deep bites that lacerated the skin.
• The bite is swollen.
• Hematoma or bruising in the bitten area.
• Your child has unusual symptoms 6 hours after being bitten.

How to prevent a baby from being bitten by a snake?

Children often love to run, jump, and explore their surroundings. Sometimes, parents cannot observe and take care of their children all the time. Therefore, children are at high risk of being bitten by snakes. Therefore, providing information on how to prevent snakebites is very important for your child.

• Teach children to recognize and stay away from snakes. Children are often curious, so they may approach or try to kill them.
• Make sure your child does not go to overgrown grassy areas. 
• Do not allow children to stick their hands or feet into places they cannot see inside, such as caves and rock crevices. Avoid lifting rocks or dry branches.
• Use extreme caution and caution when children are climbing large rocks.

If not treated in time, the venom can lead to many dangerous complications, even death. Whether it's a healthy snake or a venomous snake bite, taking your child to the hospital is one of the safest ways to handle a child. Finally, to better understand the health status of the baby, parents should consult the doctor.