If you are bitten by a venomous snake, you should call your local emergency number immediately. Antivenom drugs can help reduce the severity of the bite.
Table of Contents
Do you need antivenom for a copperhead?
A bite by a copperhead (agkistrodon contortrix) rarely requires any intervention other than observation. The unnecessary use of antivenom should be avoided. Copperhead venom is a potent neurotoxin and should not be administered to a child under the age of 6 months. (CDC) recommends that all children 6 years of age and older be vaccinated against rabies.
Children who are not vaccinated are at increased risk for exposure to venomous snakes, including copperheads. In addition, children who have not been vaccinated may be at greater risk of being bitten by an animal that has been rabid.
How serious is a copperhead snake bite?
It’s extremely rare for a human to die from a bite. temporary tissue damage at the site of the wound is the most severe consequence of a copperhead bite. Copperheads are venomous snakes that are native to the southeastern United States and southern Canada. They are also known as copperheads, rattlesnakes, and cottonmouths.
Copperheads have been known to bite humans for thousands of years. In fact, the first recorded human death from a snakebite occurred in the early 1800s, when a man was bitten on the arm by a cobra while hunting in Georgia. The most common cause of human bites from cobras is a puncture wound caused by the snake’s fangs.
This type of bite can be fatal if the victim is not treated immediately. If a person is bitten, it is important to get medical attention as soon as possible, as the venom can cause severe pain and even death.
How long does it take to recover from a copperhead bite?
Even though copperhead envenomation is not always fatal, most patients experience pain and swelling of the envenomated limb. Most patients recover and resume activities of daily living within 2–4 weeks, but in a minority of cases, symptoms last a year or longer.
Do copperhead bites require hospitalization?
For your safety, treat all snakebites as if they were venomous and get to a hospital emergency room as quickly as possible. If you aren’t sure of the type of snake that bit you, this is even more true. It is possible to prevent illness and death with the correct treatment.
Can a copperhead bite go untreated?
Copperheads are venomous, but their venom is relatively mild compared to other venomous snakes. Bites are not usually life-threatening, but if bitten you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
What keeps copperheads out of your yard?
Remove piles of leaf debris, rocks, and trash from around the home to eliminate harborage areas of both the copperhead snakes and/or their food source. Tall grasses and vegetation should be removed from the home. Keep bushes clear of debris by trimming them.
Keep the snakes away from your pets by using snake repellants around the house and in the yard. If you have a snake problem, you may want to contact a professional snake control company.
