Don’t get panicky over snake bites, say doctors

The first thing to keep in mind in the event of snake bite is to not panic, said Dr Raghunandhan, Head, Department of Toxicology at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH).

“If the bite is on the foot, do not walk or run. You must basically keep the injured part of the body immobile.

In some parts of the state, people use knives and blades to remove the venom from the wound. It is important to note that one must not meddle with the wound, but immediately go to nearby hospital facilities,” he advised.

The state is providing anti-venom to all primary, secondary and tertiary care government institutions, a doctor from the department said. “It is therefore important to rush to a hospital – and not a quack. Do not panic or try to handle the wound. Most importantly, do not tie a tourniquet over the wound,” added the doctor. 

At hospitals equipped to deal with snake bite cases, doctors would first do a neurological assessment and would then start administering the anti-venom.

Allaying fears after consecutive snake bite cases reported from Avadi, Dr Raghunandhan pointed out that only 30 per cent bites are due to poisonous snakes.

“There are four major poisonous snakes in Tamil Nadu – krait, cobra, Russell’s viper and saw scaled viper,” he said, adding that the victim can develop respiratory ailments, too, if bitten by krait or cobra.