I promised pictures, and finally had a chance to resize them to fit on here. They were small enough on the KB, but not on the pixels? the bite on my finger ( photo / image / picture from AAnightowl's Garden ) The bite on my finger, already turning necrotic. swollen hand after copperhead bite ( photo / image / picture from AAnightowl's Garden ) My swollen hand. I could not even hold my Bible to read it. My hand swelled to over 9 inches around. my swollen arm after copperhead bite ( photo / image / picture from AAnightowl's Garden ) My swollen forearm. The swelling did go above my elbow a few inches, but I was trying so hard to avoid trying the new antivenom. Since I had had a nearly fatal anaphylatic reaction to a pain med in the ER, I just did NOT want to try any more new meds! When I got home and showered and dressed, I discovered the swelling and bruising had gone to my armpit and chest. The surgical wound is about dime-sized or slightly bigger, and I am keeping track of it too. day of surgery ( photo / image / picture from AAnightowl's Garden ) Second or third day after surgery? ( photo / image / picture from AAnightowl's Garden ) Several days after surgery ( photo / image / picture from AAnightowl's Garden ) If this is in the right order, the first one should be of the wound on the first day of surgery. The second was take a couple days later, because I was concerned about that dark spot. When I took the third picture, I wanted to show how it was healing, and to keep up with that dark spot. I had begun the tea wash, and the A&D ointment on the wound. It really did speed up the healing. And by the 8th or 9th day, the black spot got bumped and fell off. Phew! That was a relief. By day 11, at my doctor's checkup, it was about 98% healed. He was very happy to see that, and so was I. I did not like the idea of a lengthy healing process for the wound. Diabetic wounds can go sour quickly, and require further surgery/ies. I hope Ronni's wound heals at least as quickly, and she soon feels much better.
Pakistan military survival manual dictates that whenever bitten by a poisonous snake (the way to tell if the snake was poisoned, is if it's bite had only 2 puncture marks) - So in such an occurrence, immediately cut the wound open further with a knife. And do so parallel to the direction of the bone, not across (as that may accidentally cut some nerve fibers just below the flesh). Anyway, you cut so that instead of 2 puncture marks (like the number 00), they end up looking like the number 11. This will make the body bleed out a little from there, and so sometimes even 50% of the poison can be flushed out - Sucking it out will also assist further, but do not touch the mouth directly (instead use some wide piece of pipe, like a flexible section of some garden hose). And after 4 minutes a healthy person's blood will automatically start to clot. Only reason why it won't is if the poison is not letting it clot. In which case let more of it bleed out. That anyway is what the manual says. It however (the survival manual) assumes that everyone is a fit and healthy soldier. So it doesn't take into account if the person is a diabetic, or aged, or has any other health complications - So in such eventualities, please don't listen to the manual (unless you yourself are absolutely fit)... The basic idea is to remove as much poison as possible, until help arrives, or you yourself are taken away to safety. So if the hospital is only a short distance away, then by all means get there quickly. But when totally isolated, keep in mind what the military survival manual says. This by the way is all for land snakes, not sea snakes - As snakes of the ocean are far more poisonous then anything on land... But they have a very small mouth, so they can't easily bite people. Except for where we have thin flat flaps of the skin, like between the index finger and the thumb of our hands, or the ears. Otherwise sea snakes can't easily bite people (even though they are far more deadly). That anyhow is what the manual says, I myself however have never had the pleasure of interviewing a poisonous snake in reality (be they of land or the ocean). So I don't really know what the snake's side of the story would be like! But seriously, I am very happy that you are now doing better. I think you are the first Stewbee that got bitten while gardening. So other members also, please be extra careful while gardening in the summer months.
Here in the US, they say NOT to suck out the venom with your mouth, because if you have cavities you can poison yourself. If you have something to use between the bite and your mouth, that might be okay, I am not sure. Also, I am a diabetic which complicates EVERYTHING, and highly allergic to so many things. By the time EMS arrived, my hand was swollen halfway up my hand. We do have enhanced 911 systems here, so they knew exactly where to send the ambulance. My dogs watched me be put in the ambulance. I am also not a fit young soldier any more--not that I was ever military other than an Army wife many years ago. If you were to get bitten, I would recommend the ER if you have any close by? If not, you are likely on your own and would need your Army Survival Manual. Any tool you cut into your skin with must be sterilized! Or you will give yourself a horrible infection. Also, sharp is preferable over dull. If you have some antiseptic that might be a good idea also. They have been pumping me full of antibiotics. I have no intention of getting up close and personal with any snake, not even harmless ones. I do hope that biting humans is as poisonous to snakes as they are to humans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuwNCgOYtnw Here is an old video some of you might enjoy. A friend on another forum posted this on my thread about my copperhead bite.
Thankfully, the wound where they removed that purple/black blister is almost healed. I have been using some tea made from the heal-all plant [prunella vulgaris L.] to wash it when I change the bandage, and some A&D Ointment on it. I used to use that salve on my kids' bottoms when they were babies, and found it to be very healing for other uses also. That and lots of prayers. I had used some of the triple antibiotic salve from the doctor at first, but it has been my experience that it does not work very well for me. Handwashing dishes in clean warm soapy water is also good for healing wounds on the hands. Probably the doctor would have a fit over that, but it does work for me.
