The toxicologist told about the help with viper bites

Alexey Vodovozov, a general practitioner, toxicologist and scientific journalist, explained on Thursday, April 16, how to act when encountering a viper, and also explained why the usual ideas about first aid are wrong.

According to the expert, the first and most dangerous misconception is an attempt to block blood flow with a tourniquet above the bite site.

"If you localize this poison in a limb, it will begin to aggressively destroy tissues in a confined space — local necrosis, extensive edema and compartment syndrome (muscle compression) may occur," Health quotes him.Mail.

He noted that with free circulation, the venom is distributed faster throughout the body, but its concentration at the bite point decreases, and local damage is minimal.

Vodovozov added that the second typical mistake is an attempt to make longitudinal "lamp-shaped" incisions at the site of edema in order to release the poison or relieve pressure. This is harmful, as a pinpoint bite turns into a large open wound that will take weeks to heal, and the risk of secondary infection increases many times. Cauterization of the bite site only prolongs the healing period and does not affect the absorption of venom.

As for the recommendation to suck the poison out with your mouth or use vacuum extractors, this practically does not work: after a bite, 1-2 cardiac cycles are enough for the poison to spread through the bloodstream. Suction of the poison after 15-30 seconds no longer removes a significant amount.

Vodovozov told me what to do if bitten by a viper. First of all, the victim should be laid down and the bitten limb should be kept immobile. Next, remove rings, watches, and loosen tight clothes. It is recommended to give the victim a drink, but not alcohol or caffeine. In addition, the person must be taken to the nearest medical center for symptomatic therapy as soon as possible.

The specialist clarified that in temperate climates, severe viper bites usually go away without a specific antidote — infusion and anti-inflammatory therapy are sufficient, he concluded.

Here are the vipers: why snakes have become more likely to attack people

Experts warn of a possible increase in such cases due to an increase in the reptile population.

Muscovites were warned on April 11 about the onset of viper activity. Snakes will start to crawl out in May, according to 360.ru .

In turn, an expert herpentologist, serpentologist Vladimir Cherlin told NSN that when meeting vipers, you do not need to touch them, the snake will not attack if you do not disturb it.

Dmitry Blumenkranz, Candidate of Veterinary Sciences, senior lecturer at the Department of Veterinary Medicine at ROSBIOTECH University, said on March 22 that with the arrival of March and April, snakes appear in forests, parks and the vicinity of cities after hibernation. Most of them do not pose a threat and try to avoid people, but there are also dangerous species.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.