Nausea or vomiting
Weakness or dizziness
Numbness or tingling
Difficulty breathing
Changes in vision
Muscle weakness
Some venomous snakes can cause neurological symptoms, while others primarily affect blood clotting, tissue, or the cardiovascular system.
Symptoms may also change over time.
That is why feeling okay immediately after a bite does not necessarily mean there is no danger.
Don't Wait for Severe Symptoms
A common mistake is deciding to “wait and see.”
Someone may think:
“It doesn't hurt much.”
“I don't see much swelling.”
“I feel fine.”
That isn't enough to rule out a serious envenomation.
If a venomous snake bite is suspected, medical assessment should occur promptly.
Healthcare professionals can monitor the person and perform tests to determine whether venom has affected blood clotting, muscles, nerves, or other body systems.
Waiting until severe symptoms appear can make treatment more difficult.
If the Person Is Alone
A snake bite becomes even more concerning when the person is alone outdoors.
After moving to a safe location, call emergency services immediately.
Share your exact location if possible.
If you're hiking, use trail names, landmarks, coordinates, or an emergency location feature on your phone when available.
Don't attempt a long journey alone if you're becoming weak or experiencing significant symptoms.
If you're able to contact someone nearby, ask them to come to you while emergency assistance is arranged.
If Someone Else Has Been Bitten
If you're with the person who was bitten, your job is to help them remain calm and minimize unnecessary movement.
Keep them away from the snake.
Call emergency services.
Help them sit or lie comfortably.
Remove restrictive items from the affected limb.
Monitor them while waiting for medical care.
If they become unconscious, have severe difficulty breathing, or develop another life-threatening emergency, follow the instructions provided by the emergency dispatcher and be prepared to provide basic first aid or CPR if trained.
Keep Track of the Time
If possible, note when the bite occurred.
This information can be useful to medical professionals because symptom progression and treatment decisions may be considered in relation to time since exposure.
You can also note: