A man who had been bitten by a snake caused a commotion in an emergency room on Saturday after bringing the snake that bit him in New Taipei City’s Sindian District (新店) so that it could be identified.
The man said he killed the snake and attempted to suck out the venom after being bitten.
Despite experiencing sharp pain and noticing immediate swelling along with two puncture wounds on his hand, he rode his scooter to the Cardinal Tien Hospital instead of waiting for an ambulance.
Photo courtesy of the Cardinal Tien Hospital
He was conscious upon arrival and was under observation after receiving treatment following an initial assessment.
While the 45cm snake was dead, it startled the medical staff, as it is a venomous species that can cause intense local pain, swelling and bruising, said Huang Fu-yao (黃復瑤), an emergency physician at the hospital.
Poison from the species, Trimeresurus stejnegeri, commonly known as a bamboo viper, could cause blood clotting in severe cases, he said.
People should not try to catch the snake that bit them, as it could easily result in a second bite, he said.
They should prioritize their own safety, and could take a photograph or clearly note the snake’s appearance, he added.
Sucking out the venom is unhelpful, as it does not effectively remove venom and might increase the risk of infection or poisoning, he said.
People should not cut open the wound or apply ice, as these measures are ineffective and might worsen the injury, he said, adding that they should remain calm, limit movement, immobilize the affected limb and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
People engaging in outdoor activities should wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves and closed footwear, and remain vigilant in grassy or shaded areas to reduce the risk of snakebites, he said.
Snake habitats include rock crevices, dead wood, bamboo forests and damp areas near streams, the National Health Insurance Administration said.
People should not reach into bushes or dense grass, or overturn stones and logs without checking for snakes, it said.
People are advised to take six steps in case of a snakebite, it added.
First, keep calm and memorize the snake’s physical features.
Second, remove jewelry or tight clothing near the bite before swelling starts.
Third, cover or wrap the affected area with an elastic bandage to slow the spread of venom.
Fourth, lower the affected area below heart level.
Fifth, do not apply ice, as it impairs circulation.
Sixth, seek immediate medical attention.
More than half of the bamboo vipers captured in Tainan in the past few years were found in the city’s Sinhua District (新化), while other districts had smaller catches or none at all. Every year, Tainan captures about 6,000 snakes which have made their way into people’s homes. Of the six major venomous snakes in Taiwan, the cobra, the many-banded krait, the brown-spotted pit viper and the bamboo viper are the most frequently captured. The high concentration of bamboo vipers captured in Sinhua District is puzzling. Tainan Agriculture Bureau Forestry and Nature Conservation Division head Chu Chien-ming (朱健明) earlier this week said that the
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