If it doesn’t, call your doctor or get medical help right away.
Table of Contents
Can you be bitten by a snake and not know it?
You may not always know you were bitten by a snake, especially if you were bitten in water or tall grass. Two puncture marks at the wound may be signs of a snakebite. The pain may last for a few hours to several days, or it may go away on its own. If the pain is severe, call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.
Your doctor may prescribe pain medication to help ease your pain.
- You may also need to see a doctor if: you have a fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- And/or a rash that spreads to your arms
- Legs
- Hands
- Feet
- Face
- Neck
- Chest
- Abdomen
- Back
loss of appetite
shortness of breath trouble breathing or swallowing weakness or numbness on one side of your body
arms or legs. If you have any of these signs or symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
How long after a snake bite will you show symptoms?
This can lead to swelling at the wound and all the way up the leg. The pain can be so intense that you may not be able to walk for a few days or even weeks. You may also have a fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away.
Where are most snake bites on the body?
Most snakebites happen on the hands, feet and ankles. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States each year, with 10 to 15 deaths.
What does a small snake bite feel like?
You may not feel the pain for a while after the bite. You may feel pain all the way up, for example if you had a bite on the leg or if you had a cut on your arm. If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away.
What does a non poisonous snake bite look like?
Two clear puncture marks will usually be left by a venomous snake bite. A nonvenomous bite usually leaves two rows of teeth marks. It is difficult to tell the difference between puncture wounds from venomous and nonvenomous snakes. People should seek medical attention if they get bitten by a snake.
What happens if a snake bite is left untreated?
If not treated on time, snake venom can cause fatal consequences. The local effects of a snake bite include tissue necrosis, edema, and compartment syndrome. Due to residual sequelae of the venom, patients may be left with permanent physical deformities.
States, snakebite is the second most common cause of death among children under the age of 5 years, after motor vehicle accidents (1,2). This increase is due in part to the increasing popularity of outdoor activities such as camping and hiking, as well as the availability of nonprescription snake repellents (5,6).
Can a snake bite look like a scratch?
Non-poisonous snakebites can cause scrapes or small teeth marks at the bite site. The hands, arms, and legs are the most common places for snakebites. A person can be bitten by a snake while handling it. If you have been bitten, you should seek immediate medical attention. If you are bitten by an animal, call your local emergency number (such as 911) or go to your nearest emergency room.
