Lifestyle

By Emman Ovuakporie We are in a season that attracts snakes to residential areas particularly in the northern part of Nigeria where the weather is unbearably hot this period of the year. Of recent, there has been increasing cases of snakes invasion into people’s homes, some gaining entrance through the Water Cistern (WC). Please find some do’s and don’ts below as compiled by TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) in the eventuality of a snake bite.   The DOs  DO Get to an emergency room as soon as possible. Even if the bite isn't poisonous, you’re at risk of tetanus, a serious bacterial infection, if your shot isn't up to date. DO Move the limb where the bite happened as little as possible. This will help slow the spread of the venom. DO Take note of the snake’s appearance. Your description will help the doctor identify what bit you. (Your location will also be a clue.) DO Note the time the bite happened so the doctor knows how much time has passed. DO Remove any jewelry around the area of the bite before swelling begins. DO Use Tylenol for pain, if needed.   The DON’Ts   DO NOT Try to capture or kill the snake. You risk a second bite. DO NOT Try to suck out the venom. It doesn’t work, and it puts you at risk of getting poison in your mouth. DO NOT Use aspirin, ibuprofen, or other painkillers that thin your blood. DO NOT Apply a tourniquet. Cutting off blood flow to the area of the bite may cause more tissue damage.