Question to general practitioner Maarten: What about a snake bite, specialists differ in approach?
Maarten Vasbinder lives in Isaan. His profession is general practitioner, a profession that he mainly practiced in Spain. On Thailandblog he answers questions from readers who live in Thailand and writes about medical facts.
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Dear Martin,
What to do with a snake bite, specialists differ quite a bit in approach? Preventing a bite by wearing high shoes and long pants, staying away from places like tall grass where snakes can be expected, we know that. This also includes checking shoes or boots if you leave them outside overnight.
After a bite, stay calm, move as little as possible, try to have a picture of the snake taken for the benefit of you. the doctor to determine the antidote, let you carry if possible, then spread the poison as slowly as possible.
Don't clean the wound, don't massage it, don't suck it out, don't tie it off and don't cut it, that makes no sense at all, on the contrary. Bandage with a stretch bandage against rapid spread of the poison, so you close the lymphatic transport and not the blood circulation, mark the bite on the bandage and note the time. Splint the leg or arm, remove the watch and rings, do not use a cold pack.
Opinions differ fundamentally on how to bandage.
Ask a bite on a hand, or forearm, bandaging from hand to shoulder, advice in Australia, or vice versa, advice elsewhere. This also applies to a bite to a foot or lower leg, bandaging from the foot to the groin or vice versa. Neck, head, body, press a cloth or shirt firmly against the bite and keep the pressure on until the doctor tells you to leave. Visit ASAP. a doctor or hospital. Against what you would expect, the antidote is not always immediately used.
It depends on things, for example the photo of the snake, but the doctor can first wait until there are symptoms of a venomous bite, for example swelling. This is to avoid giving an antidote when it may not be necessary.
Would like to hear what you recommend how to bandage and perhaps supplement, for which thanks.
Regards,
Sjaakie
******
Dear Jack,
I'm not a specialist on snake bites, but logically the Australian advice seems best to me. So from the outside in, but bandage the bite first.
Best regards and a 2020 without bites.
Dr. Maarten