ANIMAL CURIOSITIES

What to do in the event of a viper bite

One of the easiest ways to recognise a viper is to look at its head as it appears triangular and wider than its body.

If you are bitten by an adder, there are a number of things to pay attention to, both to recognise the bite and to know how to intervene in the right way. It is also important to take precautions to avoid being bitten.

Let us therefore find out how to prevent a bite, what to do in the event of a viper bite and how best to act to avoid the worst effects.

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How to recognize a viper
One of the easiest ways to recognise a viper is to look at its head as it appears triangular and wider than its body. If you are bitten by an adder, there are a number of things to pay attention to, both to recognise the bite and to know how to intervene in the right way. It is also important to take precautions to avoid being bitten. Let us therefore find out how to prevent a bite, what to do in the event of a viper bite and how best to act to avoid the worst effects.
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Precautions to be taken
When dealing with vipers, it is very important to try to avoid being bitten as much as possible. One of the best ways to do this is to wear appropriate clothing, such as long trousers and hiking boots. You should also be careful with your hands when approaching places that could be a hiding place for vipers (e.g. a pile of wood).
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Recognizing the bite of the viper
How can one recognise an adder bite after it has occurred? Generally, the characteristic sign is two small holes 0.5/1 centimetre apart. The clinical picture of the bite, among other things, can vary depending on various factors such as: the site of the bite (on which part of the body it occurred), time elapsed since the bite, environmental temperature (heat promotes the circulation of the venom in the body).
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The possible consequences of a viper bite
If the viper's bite releases venom (in 20% of cases it may not release any), intense pain and burning are likely to be experienced within a few minutes, and hard oedema, erythema, ecchymosis and haemorrhagic blisters appear. Depending on the dose of venom injected, systemic clinical effects such as haemodynamic, coagulative, renal or neurological disorders may also appear.
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What to do after being bitten by the viper
The first thing to do after being bitten by an adder is to try to remain calm. If you are wearing rings or bracelets, the advice is to remove them immediately and if possible wash the wound with hydrogen peroxide. If the bite has affected the lower limbs, one should proceed with bandaging, applying discreet compression. In any case, it is absolutely necessary to go to the nearest emergency room.
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