Been trying to find out what to expect after a copperhead bite. My wife got bit twice on the left hand wednesday night. Took her to the ER. They monitored her for about 8 hrs and sent her home on pain meds and antibiotics. She is still real swollen and appears to be extending up her arm. They said if it gets worse then come back in. She has been in quite a bit of pain since the bite but maybe not as much this morning. The nurse said the swelling and pain would last for 24-48 hrs. She didn't get the antivenom(Crofab). Anyone have any experience in this? Been trying to search in google but really no luck. And yes we know it was a copperhead b/c we killed it!!!!!!
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Sorry to hear. Hope it gets better soon. -
Sorry to hear this. Hope she has a full recovery. Prayers sent.
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Bit twice and no anti-venom. Hmmmm.....what ER was that? I don't want to go to that ER.Originally posted by Redraider View Post
If I had been bit twice by a Copperhead, I would asked why no anti-venom. I am no snake expert but dang!!!
Prayers for your wife...Comment
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They said if it appeared to be getting worse then they would give it. Apparently hospitals don't like to give the antivenom b/c of the severe side-effects can sometimes be worse than the bite. While in the ER the swelling didn't get any worse, but she thinks it is worse now. She is not in as much pain just the swelling. Don't know what to expect. Not something u come across everyday. They also gave her a tetanus.Comment
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good lord, how did she get bit twice? Once would have been enuff for me to run.Comment
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Sorry to hear about your wife RR, hope she gets better soon. This is some info I found, check it out.Originally posted by gekko man View Post
A Copperhead snake bite needs medical attention, is extremely painful, and may cause extensive scarring and loss of use. Many people are bitten while trying to kill or handle the snake. Don't take chances -- avoid these snakes.
"Copperhead bites are typically not fatal," says Dr. Peter Bromley, N. C. Cooperative Extension Specialist in Zoology. Small animals, like small dogs, may receive a fatal bite from a copperhead. The venom causes local tissue destruction and secondary infection often sets in. If you or your pet are bitten by any snake that you suspect is venomous, get medial attention immediately. For the most part, if you let snakes alone, they'll leave you alone.
North Carolina has the dubious distinction of the most venomous snake bites of any state in the U.S. Many of these bites could be prevented by avoiding the snake instead of trying to kill it or pick it up. Avoid Copperhead snakes! Allow it to go on its way undisturbed. Copperheads bite more people in most years than any other U.S. species, but they also have the mildest venom. University of Georgia Professor Dr. Whit Gibbons is conducting research to learn why copperheads inflict the most bites.
All the snake species tested have had the same initial response to human presence. If given the opportunity, they escape--down a hole, under a ledge, or in the case of cottonmouths, into the water. Escape is even the standard behavior of enormous diamondback rattlesnakes, which will immediately disappear if they have enough warning before they think a person can reach them.
But often escape is not possible, so most snakes hold their ground, ready to defend themselves. A difference between copperheads and the other species appears in the next phase, when they are approached. Most rattlesnakes vibrate their tails and most cottonmouths sit with mouth open when a human comes near. Even some non-venomous snakes vibrate their tails. These displays are merely warnings not to tread on them. They are not aggressive attack measures. The snakes just want us to leave them alone.
So far, the dozens of cottonmouths Dr. Gibbons stood beside have made threat displays but have not bitten the researcher's boot. The same has been true for canebrake rattlesnakes although too few have been tested to declare that they are as passive as cottonmouths. The exciting news (at least for the researchers) is that the copperhead is different from the others. Most copperheads tested have struck out immediately when they felt threatened.
This behavior explains why more people receive legitimate snakebites from copperheads than from any other species of venomous snake in North America. Still to be investigated is another aspect of copperhead bites: many are not serious enough to require more than minor medical treatment. This may be so not only because the venom of a copperhead is significantly less potent than that of rattlesnakes or cottonmouths, but also because they seldom inject much venom.
The copperhead's initial threat display is to strike. It lashes out at an enemy as a warning. If the enemy is close enough, the fangs may penetrate the skin. However, because this is a threat display, not an attempt to kill, the snake injects little venom. A copperhead has no intention of wasting valuable venom if it can scare away the menace with a minor bite.
Keep in mind, however, that even a non-fatal bite needs medical attention, is extremely painful, and may cause extensive scarring and loss of use. Don't take chances-- avoid these snakes.Comment
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The story would be unbelievable. I am still in shock on how the events unfolded.Comment
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sorry to hear, hope everything works outComment
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She should be OK, the reason they don't give the crofab out on just any bite, is the risk for allergic reaction. If you ever get the crofab, you will not be able to receive it ever again because the risk of anaphylaxys(Sp.) more than doubles on a second treatment.
The real dangers are infection and compartment syndrom, which could result in amputation of the hand. Watch her really closely and if she starts running a fever get her to the hospital ASAP.Comment
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Got bite when I was about 14-15... got sick, threw up a lot... leg swelled hurt like the devil.... got better in a couple of days... didn't even miss school, took about a month to completely recover...Comment
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Jeez! Hope she gets better!Comment
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prayers for yall! keep her cool and relaxed and ice the swelling and go back to dr if gets worse. a copperhead bite can rot out like a spider bite and some say iceing can slow that down!Comment
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Doctor?.......Holiday Inn?.......Seriously, thanks for the info.Originally posted by pigstikr View PostComment
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Originally posted by Redraider View Post
Well, you know the routine...no pics; it didn't happen!
Seriously, I'm sorry for her pain and suffering and glad she will recover. I know it has to hurt like heck.
We would be interested in the story.Comment
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