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Persisting Pain And Swelling On The Leg Bitten By Snake. Treatment Advise?
My brother in the Philippies was bitten by snake in November 2012 and recently emailed me that his leg which was bitten is still painful and swelling . He said he is experiencing fear of water...I never heard of such thing. Do you think is going thru aftershock of could there be still venum in his system. I advised him to go back to see his doctor for follow and also to get tetanus vaccination . Please advise. Thank you. Ofelia YYYY@YYYY
Wed, 30 Jan 2013
Hi
In my experience,i saw many cases presenting with swelling and pain in the affected limb following snake bite.We call it as Cellulitis.
Cellulitis is a localized or diffuse inflammation of connective tissue with severe inflammation of dermal and subcutaneous layers of the skin.
Cellulitis can be caused by normal skin flora or by exogenous bacteria, and often occurs where the skin has previously been broken: cracks in the skin, cuts, blisters, burns, insect bites, surgical wounds, intravenous drug injection or sites of intravenous catheter insertion.
Skin on the face or lower legs is most commonly affected by this infection, though cellulitis can occur on any part of the body.
You ask your brother to consult his Surgeon and it treated.
He need a good Broad spectrum Antibiotic and anti inflammatory drug.
If the Swelling did not subside inspite of above measures,he has to go for relaxing incisions over the lowerlimb,where multiple small incisions are given.
There will be no venom now.
Tetanus toxoid injection is given to prevent Tetanus only.If the skin is now open ,he can go for it.As the injury occured in November,2012 ,it is of no use now.
Ask your brother to keep his affected limb elevated.
Nothing to worry
Wish him good health
In my experience,i saw many cases presenting with swelling and pain in the affected limb following snake bite.We call it as Cellulitis.
Cellulitis is a localized or diffuse inflammation of connective tissue with severe inflammation of dermal and subcutaneous layers of the skin.
Cellulitis can be caused by normal skin flora or by exogenous bacteria, and often occurs where the skin has previously been broken: cracks in the skin, cuts, blisters, burns, insect bites, surgical wounds, intravenous drug injection or sites of intravenous catheter insertion.
Skin on the face or lower legs is most commonly affected by this infection, though cellulitis can occur on any part of the body.
You ask your brother to consult his Surgeon and it treated.
He need a good Broad spectrum Antibiotic and anti inflammatory drug.
If the Swelling did not subside inspite of above measures,he has to go for relaxing incisions over the lowerlimb,where multiple small incisions are given.
There will be no venom now.
Tetanus toxoid injection is given to prevent Tetanus only.If the skin is now open ,he can go for it.As the injury occured in November,2012 ,it is of no use now.
Ask your brother to keep his affected limb elevated.
Nothing to worry
Wish him good health
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