Anaphylactic shock :

Anaphylactic shock is a serious medical condition that requires immediate medical assistance and can even cause death.

Info source : By Mayo Clinic Staff

A life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can cause shock, a sudden drop in blood pressure and trouble breathing.

In people who have an allergy, anaphylaxis can occur minutes after exposure to a specific allergy-causing substance (allergen). In some cases, there may be a delayed reaction or anaphylaxis may occur without an apparent trigger.

If you're with someone having an allergic reaction with signs of anaphylaxis: Immediately call your local medical emergency number : (995 in Singapore)

Ask the person if he or she is carrying an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others) to treat an allergic attack. If the person says he or she needs to use an autoinjector, ask whether you should help inject the medication. 

This is usually done by pressing the autoinjector against the person's thigh.

Have the person lie still on his or her back. Loosen tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket.

Don't give the person anything to drink.

If there's vomiting or bleeding from the mouth, turn the person on his or her side to prevent choking.

If there are no signs of breathing, coughing or movement, begin CPR. Do uninterrupted chest presses — about 100 every minute — until paramedics arrive.

If you're with someone having signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, don't wait to see whether symptoms get better. Seek emergency treatment right away.

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Get emergency treatment even if symptoms start to improve. After anaphylaxis, it's possible for symptoms to recur. Monitoring in a hospital for several hours is usually necessary.

In severe cases, untreated anaphylaxis can lead to death within half an hour. An antihistamine pill, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), isn't sufficient to treat anaphylaxis. These medications can help relieve allergy symptoms, but work too slowly in a severe reaction.

Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include :

• Skin reactions, including hives, itching, and flushed or pale skin Swelling of the face, eyes, lips or throat..

• Constriction of the airways, leading to wheezing and trouble breathing.

• A weak and rapid pulse, Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, Dizziness, fainting or unconsciousness.

Some common anaphylaxis triggers include :

• Medications, Foods such as peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish.

• Insect stings from bees, yellow jackets, wasps, hornets and fire ants.

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If you've had any kind of severe allergic reaction in the past, ask your doctor if you should be prescribed an epinephrine autoinjector to carry with you.

Snakebite :

All snake bites must be treated as potentially life-threatening. If you are bitten by a snake, call (995) for an ambulance.

Knowing whether a snake bite is dangerous or not can be difficult. It’s also important to be aware that bites from snakes can cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) in some people.

You should always provide emergency care if you or someone else is bitten by a snake — including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), if required.

When bitten by a snake remember to Keep calm, and follow these steps :

• Get the person away from the snake.

• Ensure they rest and help them to stay calm.

• Call (995) and ask for an ambulance.

Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage. Don’t wash the bite area — venom left on the skin can help identify the snake.

If you can’t use a pressure immobilisation bandage because the bite is on the trunk or stomach, apply constant, firm pressure. 

Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound or attempt to suck the venom (poison) out.

Pressure immobilization bandage. A pressure immobilisation bandage is recommended for anyone bitten by a venomous snake.

You should firmly bandage the area of the body involved — such as an arm or leg — and keep the person calm and still until medical help arrives.

First, put a pressure bandage over the bite itself. It should be tight and you should not be able to easily slide a finger between the bandage and the skin.

Next, use a heavy crepe or elasticised roller bandage to immobilise the whole limb. Start just above the fingers or toes of the bitten limb and move upwards on the limb as far as the body. Splint the limb including joints on either side of the bite.

Keep the person and the limb completely at rest. ​Mark the site of the bite on the bandage with a pen.

Anaphylactic shock :

Some people occasionally have a severe allergic reaction to being bitten by a snake. Their whole body can react to the bite within minutes, which can lead to anaphylactic shock (anaphylaxis). Anaphylactic shock is very serious and can be fatal.

Symptoms of anaphylactic shock include :

• Difficult or noisy breathing

• Difficulty talking and / or a hoarse voice

• A swollen tongue

• Persistent dizziness or collapse

• Swelling or tightness in the throat

• Being pale and floppy (young children)

• Wheeze or persistent cough,

• Abdominal pain or vomiting

If someone is experiencing anaphylaxis, call (995) for an ambulance.

If the person has a ‘personal action plan’ to manage a known severe allergy, they may need help to follow their plan. This could include administering adrenaline via an autoinjector (such as an Epipen) if one is available.

Dry bites :

A dry bite is when the snake strikes but no venom is released. Dry bites are painful and may cause swelling and redness around the area of the snake bite.

Once medically assessed, there is usually no need for further treatment, such as with antivenoms.

Because you can’t always tell if a bite is a dry bite, always assume you have been injected with venom and manage the bite as a medical emergency - call (995) for an ambulance.

Venomous bites :

Venomous bites are when the snake bites and releases venom into a wound. Snake venom contains poisons that are designed to stun, numb or kill other animals.

Symptoms of a venomous bite include :

• Severe pain around the bite — this might come on later.

• Swelling , bruising or bleeding from the bite.

• Bite marks on the skin — these might be obvious.

• Puncture wounds or almost invisible small scratches

• Swollen and tender glands in the armpit or groin of the limb that has been bitten.

• Tingling, stinging, burning or abnormal feelings around the skin.

• Feeling anxious.

• Nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting (being sick)

• Dizziness

• Blurred vision

• Headache

• Beathing difficulties

• Problems swallowing

• Stomach pain

• Irregular heartbeat

• Muscle weakness

• Confusion

• Blood oozing from the gums or the site of the snake bite

• Collapse

• Paralysis, coma or even death

How can i make sure the snake is identified ?

Venomous snakes can be identified based on any venom deposited on clothing or the skin. 

• Do not wash the area of the bite, try to suck venom out of it, or discard clothing.

• Do not try to catch or kill the snake to identify it since medical services do not rely on visual identification of the species of snake.