This is one the poisonous snakes found in UK. Though other two snakes are also found in Britain but they are relatively rare smooth snake and grass snake. Adders live on the edge of the woodlands or moors and hills. They are about 75cm long and with a broad head and reddish brown, yellow or green colour. Most important is that they have an inverted V on their head and a black zigzag marking down their back. Adder bites are painful and many induce unconsciousness in the casualty. How ever they are not fatal.
Before any sort of action is taken to treat a snake bite, it is important to try to identify the snake (by colour and markings) so that appropriate anti venom serum can be given to the patient.
Now coming to some of the general symptoms of all snake bits. These symptoms are also shown by people bitten by adders
The casualty must have puncture wounds, pain and swelling at the site of the bite. Nausea and vomiting is another common symptom. There is a possibility of stomach pain and diarrhoea. Some casualty can suffer from shock in extreme cases. There can be profuse sweating and difficulty in breathing and unconsciousness (rarely).
Before any sort of action is taken to treat a snake bite, it is important to try to identify the snake (by colour and markings) so that appropriate anti venom serum can be given to the patient.
Now coming to some of the general symptoms of all snake bits. These symptoms are also shown by people bitten by adders
The casualty must have puncture wounds, pain and swelling at the site of the bite. Nausea and vomiting is another common symptom. There is a possibility of stomach pain and diarrhoea. Some casualty can suffer from shock in extreme cases. There can be profuse sweating and difficulty in breathing and unconsciousness (rarely).
