What happens if a rattlesnake bites you? Here's everything you should and shouldn't do
Corrections & Clarifications: A previous version of this article included outdated information. The same antivenom is used for every rattlesnake bite, regardless of the kind.
Rattlesnakes, often feared and misunderstood, are essential components of healthy ecosystems due to their role in controlling rodent populations. Contrary to popular belief, rattlesnakes are not inherently aggressive but rather defensive, reacting to potential threats in their environment.
Understanding rattlesnake behavior is crucial for minimizing the risk of snake bites, which are relatively rare if individuals remain vigilant and avoid situations where they could inadvertently provoke a snake.
By respecting the presence of rattlesnakes and taking appropriate precautions, coexistence with these important predators can be achieved.
It's rattlesnake season in Arizona. Here's how to avoid being bitten and what to do if a rattlesnake bites you.
What to do if a rattlesnake rattles at you?
We talked to Jeff Meyers, the wildlife viewing program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, who said rattlesnakes rattle at you because they are scared.
“They don't have a lot of brain power in there. They're basically looking at what they perceive as a large predator coming toward them, getting rattled to say, ‘Hey, I'm dangerous, stay away from me,” said Meyers.
Here's what to do if a rattlesnake rattles at you:
Stop and remain calm: If you hear the distinct rattle of a rattlesnake, stop immediately. Panicking or making sudden movements can agitate the snake further.
Assess the situation: Determine the location of the rattlesnake and give it space. Back away slowly and cautiously. Keep your eyes on the snake to monitor its movements.
Maintain distance: Keep a safe distance from the rattlesnake. Rattlesnakes typically strike only if they feel threatened or cornered. Give the snake plenty of room to retreat.
Do not approach or agitate the snake: Avoid attempts to handle or provoke the snake. Do not throw objects at it or try to move it. Stay still and allow the snake to move away on its own.
Leave the area: Once you've safely distanced yourself from the rattlesnake, carefully leave the area. Avoid walking through tall grass, rocky areas or other places where snakes may hide.
Seek medical attention if bitten: If you or someone else is bitten by a rattlesnake, seek medical attention immediately. Call emergency services or go to the nearest hospital. Do not attempt to treat the bite yourself.
Be careful: You found a snake in your house or car. Here's what you should and shouldn't do
What happens if a rattlesnake bites you?
The severity of a rattlesnake bite can vary depending on the size of the snake, the amount of venom injected and the location of the bite.
“If you were bitten while hiking with a friend, have your friend drive the car. You might be in immense pain, you might get dizzy, you might have blurred vision, there can even be seizures, excessive sweating, fainting," Meyers said. "But pain is the real hallmark. If you get bitten and you have burning searing pain, then you probably got a dose of venom and you need to get to the hospital right away.”
If you get bitten by a rattlesnake, take immediate action. Here's what to do:
Stay calm: Panicking can increase your heart rate and spread the venom more quickly. “The hardest part is to be able to stay calm, but you want to keep your heart rate, you know, like resting heart rate. You don't want to freak out because that will just accelerate the spread of the venom through your bloodstream,” said Meyers.
Call for help: Call 911 immediately. Time is of the essence. “The first thing to do is to call 911 and get help on the way. Then there's other steps that you can take, like washing the bite area gently with water,” said Meyers.
Immobilize the bite area: Keep the bitten area immobilized and positioned at or slightly below the level of your heart. This can help slow the spread of venom.
Remove jewelry and tight clothing: Remove jewelry or tight clothing near the bite site. Swelling can occur rapidly and these items may constrict blood flow. “Sometimes the swelling is systemic, so it goes throughout your entire body. However, if you get bitten on the ankle, do not take off your shoes if you have to hike out of someplace. You don't want to be hiking in the desert without shoes,” said Meyers.
Do not apply ice or tourniquets: Contrary to popular belief, applying ice or using a tourniquet can actually worsen the effects of a venomous snake bite by slowing blood flow.
Do not attempt to suck out venom: This is not effective and can cause further damage to the wound.
Go to a hospital or urgent care: If possible, have someone drive you to the nearest hospital or medical facility equipped to handle snake bites. If an ambulance is available, it may be best to wait for emergency medical personnel to arrive.
How long do you have after a rattlesnake bite?
Get help as quickly as you can. The first hour after a rattlesnake bite is often called the golden hour. Receiving medical care, such as antivenom treatment, during this time can significantly reduce the risk of severe complications or death.
“It's best if you can get medical help within 30 minutes," Meyers said. "But you do have hours. You're not going to die in minutes. It's not a black mamba.
"Ultimately you have two to three days until you die, if you're going to die, not everyone goes that way. Usually, people die from things like organ failure after two or three days now, there are exceptions of course right to every rule,” said Meyers.
How long does it take to die from a rattlesnake bite?
According to the National Library of Medicine, the time it takes to die from a rattlesnake bite depends on several factors:
Amount of venom: Different species of rattlesnakes have different types of venom, and the amount of venom injected can vary based on factors such as the size of the snake and how long it holds on during the bite.
Location of the bite: Bites to certain areas of the body, such as head, neck and torso, may result in more rapid absorption of venom into the bloodstream.
Size and health of the victim: Children, elderly individuals and those with compromised immune systems or preexisting health conditions may be at higher risk of severe reactions.
Can you survive a rattlesnake bite without treatment?
Surviving a rattlesnake bite without treatment is possible, but it depends on the amount of venom injected, the location of the bite and the health and age of the victim.
Untreated rattlesnake bites can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and potentially death. Without prompt medical treatment, severe envenomation can lead to death within hours to days. With appropriate medical care, deaths from rattlesnake bites are rare.
How do you tell if a snake bite is a dry bite?
Some people may experience a "dry bite," where the snake injects little to no venom. In such cases, the bite may cause minimal symptoms and may not require medical treatment beyond wound care and monitoring for signs of infection.
It's best to let a medical professional make that determination.
“One-third of all rattlesnake bites are what we call dry bites and the snakes don't inject their venom. The reason is because venom is very energetically expensive for rattlesnakes to make. They use it for procuring food. They don't want to waste it on a human. As I always say we're too big to eat and too ugly to mate with. So they really don't want to have anything to do with us,” said Meyers.
“Their last resort is to bite you. You can survive, and many do without treatment, but it is extraordinarily painful. Seek medical treatment because you don't necessarily know if you got a dry bite or not.”
How fast will a rattlesnake bite to the face kill you?
A rattlesnake bite to the face can be life-threatening due to the risk of rapid venom absorption and the proximity to vital structures. Without prompt treatment, severe envenomation can lead to death within hours to days.
“A face bite is obviously more serious because it's closer to the brain. But the time you have until you need treatment is still the same. Thirty minutes or less is best, but you've still got a couple plus days,” said Meyers.
Meyers said rattlesnake bites to the face are rare and that most bites happen around elbows, fingertips, knees and toes.
“So in other words, people putting their hands and feet someplace they couldn't see. Or the buttocks, for the simple reason that somebody goes to the bathroom in the desert and didn't look where they were squatting," Meyers said.
"Typically with men, it's the hands because they were doing something silly, like trying to handle the rattlesnake. And with women, it's typically you know, lower legs and buttocks. But, you know, there's no clear differentiation there. It can happen to anyone anywhere,” said Meyers.
What is the survival rate of a rattlesnake bite?
According to the National Library of Medicine, deaths from rattlesnake bites are rare in regions where medical facilities are readily accessible.
“About one in 600 rattlesnake bites result in death. And in the U.S., there's between five and 8,000 bites each year and a resulting number of between five and 15 deaths on average. It's about five to six deaths per year from rattlesnake bites, so deaths are pretty rare," Meyers said.
"There's two reasons for that. One, because it's not the black mamba and two, because we have a pretty robust health care system in the U.S. and access to it.”
What is the treatment for a rattlesnake bite?
Rattlesnake bite treatment typically involves managing symptoms, preventing complications and neutralizing the effects of venom.
“What they'll do is if you're in the hospital or ambulance you'll get antivenom. It's the same antivenom for every rattlesnake. There's a myth out there that you have to kill the rattlesnake and bring in the doctor's office so they know what antivenom to use, which is 100% false,” said Meyers.
“Do not kill the rattlesnake because it puts you into proximate contact with the rattlesnake and puts you at greater risk of getting bit again.
"So the treatment is basically just shots or an IV bag of antivenom that they give you. Then they do bloodwork to test for coagulation factors because one of the things from rattlesnake venom is it can cause your blood to kind of congeal inside your body and that can cause problems like stroke.
"So they will give you antivenom and check your blood work until you're cleared to go home. Usually, it's within a day or two,” said Meyers.
Here's how rattlesnake bites are treated:
Stabilization: This may involve ensuring an open airway, supporting breathing if necessary and administering fluids to maintain hydration and blood pressure.
Pain management: Pain management strategies may include painkillers such as acetaminophen or prescribed opioids.
Monitoring: The victim should be closely monitored for signs of complications, such as swelling, bruising, bleeding, difficulty breathing, changes in heart rate or organ failure.
Meyers had one more recommendation: “Do not give Benadryl. An envenomation reaction is not a histamine reaction. So therefore Benadryl will do nothing.”
Rattlesnake bite symptoms
Common symptoms of a rattlesnake bite include:
Swelling: Swelling may occur rapidly around the bite area. Swelling can be severe, especially if the bite occurs on a limb or in a sensitive area such as the face.
Bruising: Bruising may develop around the bite site due to damage to blood vessels and tissues.
Redness and warmth: The skin around the bite site may become red and warm to the touch.
Tingling or numbness: Some individuals may experience tingling, numbness or a pins-and-needles sensation near the bite area or in other parts of the body.
Weakness or fatigue: Rattlesnake envenomation can cause weakness, fatigue and general malaise.
Nausea and vomiting: Some people may experience nausea and vomiting after a rattlesnake bite.
Dizziness or fainting: Rattlesnake venom can affect blood pressure and circulation, leading to symptoms such as dizziness or fainting.
Difficulty breathing: In severe cases, rattlesnake envenomation can cause respiratory distress, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
Changes in heart rate: Rattlesnake venom can affect heart function, leading to changes in heart rate, irregular heart rhythms or chest pain.
Rattlesnake bites can cause a wide range of symptoms, and not all individuals will experience the same effects. Additionally, symptoms may worsen over time if left untreated. Seek medical help immediately.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Rattlesnake bites: Symptoms, treatment and how long you have
