You may have heard of some non-medical ways to treat snake bites. However, most often, non-medical treatment methods are unsafe.
Avoid the following:
- Never try to kill, trap, or handle the snake.
- Get help immediately; don’t wait for symptoms.
- Do not apply a tourniquet.
- Do not cut the wound.
- Do not suck out the venom.
- Do not apply ice or soak the wound.
- Do not drink alcohol.
- Do not take pain relievers, including ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen.
- Do not use electric shock therapy or other folk methods.
Remember, snake bites—even dry bites—should always be treated as medical emergencies. That means you should never attempt to treat them on your own.