While most snake species are harmless, it’s important to treat a snake bite very seriously unless you are 100% sure the snake is not venomous. Texas home to many venomous snakes such as the Cottonmouth, Copperhead, Mojave Rattlesnake, Western Rattlesnake, and Harlequin Coral Snake. The good news is that while up to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the U.S. each year, less than ten are typically fatal. Here’s what you should do immediately if you are bitten by a snake.

What NOT to Do

You may have seen snake bites treated in Hollywood movies with tourniquets or suction, but these methods do not have any value and they can do more harm than good. Do not:

1. Apply ice. Research has found this can be harmful.
2. Apply a tourniquet. A tourniquet can restrict blood flow and may cause you to lose your limb.
3. Cut the wound
4. Try to suck out the venom
5. Try to capture the snake. It is not necessary to catch the snake for identification; this will probably result in more bites. Simply try to remember the color and pattern of the snake.

What to Do After a Snake Bite

If possible to do so safely, try to identify the snake by remembering its colors and pattern, or take a picture with your phone. Get away from the snake immediately and remove any restrictive clothing or jewelry on the limb because the bite may cause swelling. Do not wait for symptoms to appear; get to a hospital as quickly as possible.

Remain as calm as possible and remember that the vast majority of snake bites are not fatal, even when the snake was non-venomous. You can use a sling or splint on the bitten limb to restrict movement until you can seek treatment. Minimize movement if you can. If possible, lie down while keeping the bite at body level. Raising the bite can make the venom travel faster into your body while holding it lower than your body can increase swelling in the limb.

The most important thing you can do is get to the hospital right away. Today’s antivenom medications are far more effective than anything you can do, and they can help you avoid long-term consequences from the bite.

At the hospital, you will likely be observed for at least eight hours. The swelling around the bite may be measured to track progress and serve as a guide for administering an antivenom. A doctor will consider the snake species (when known), how fast swelling progresses, coagulation problems, and more to determine if you should receive antivenom.