Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center urges caution as snakebite season begins
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo., (KBSI) — Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center is reminding residents to take precautions and seek immediate medical attention if bitten by a snake as warmer weather increases the risk of encounters.
According to the hospital, its emergency department has already treated three snakebite patients this spring.
“Snakebites require immediate medical attention,” Emergency Department Director Heather Chasteen said in a statement. “The best thing to do is stay calm, keep the affected extremity at the level of the heart and seek emergency medical treatment.”
Hospital officials recommend calling for emergency medical care immediately after a snakebite, keeping the victim calm and still, removing jewelry and tight clothing before swelling begins, washing the wound with soap and water, and covering the bite with a clean dressing. If it can be done safely, officials also recommend taking a photograph of the snake from a distance to assist with identification.
Medical professionals advise against cutting the wound, applying ice, attempting to suck out venom, using a tourniquet or consuming alcohol after a bite.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends seeking emergency treatment as quickly as possible, as prompt medical care can help prevent serious complications and allow for the administration of antivenom when needed.
Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center said its emergency department is equipped to evaluate and treat snakebite patients, including administering antivenom when clinically appropriate.
