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Treatment of Bites, snake

If you are bitten by an adder, keep the bitten area still so the venom does not travel around the body and go to A&E, where you may have anti-venom treatment.

Do not try to suck or remove the venom from the skin yourself.

Some people may try to stop the venom travelling from the bitten area by using a tight band (tourniquet) – this is not recommended if you have no medical experience, as it can cause permanent damage and loss of the limb.

Anti-venom must only be given by a health professional who has carefully assessed the situation because some people can have an allergic reaction to the anti venom. Therefore, anti-venom is usually only given to patients who show symptoms. Anti-venom is not usually kept by vets.

Anti-venom is usually given using an intravenous drip. The sooner after being bitten you have the anti-venom treatment the better.

Seek medical help if you are bitten by a snake when you are abroad.

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