{"id":10662,"date":"2022-03-04T08:15:51","date_gmt":"2022-03-04T08:15:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=10662"},"modified":"2022-03-06T12:31:47","modified_gmt":"2022-03-06T12:31:47","slug":"what-to-do-if-you-get-bit-by-a-copperhead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/what-to-do-if-you-get-bit-by-a-copperhead\/","title":{"rendered":"What To Do If You Get Bit By A Copperhead?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You\u2019ve heard that copperhead snakes are poisonous, but just how dangerous are they, really? If there are copperheads living in your area (or even in your yard<\/a>!), you want to be prepared and know how to protect yourself from them before getting bit. In this article, we\u2019ll talk about what to do if you get bit by a copperhead, as well as what the bite looks like and the symptoms you may experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Dangerous is a Copperhead?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Copperheads are venomous with an excruciating bite, but this bite is usually not deadly. Though copperheads can make you pretty sick, they are not one of the more potent or dangerous snakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, you still want to avoid being bit by a copperhead if at all possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though a healthy adult probably won\u2019t die from a copperhead bite, the bite may cause terrible pain, tissue damage, and other symptoms. If not treated immediately, these symptoms may lead to more serious complications.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Copperhead bites are most dangerous if they are not treated promptly with the appropriate medical care. The first thing you should do after receiving a suspected copperhead bite is seek medical attention\u2013the longer you wait, the more problems you may encounter later on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is worth noting that copperheads tend to be relatively shy and will try to avoid human interaction if possible\u2013they are not aggressive snakes. They will only bite if they feel threatened or if you step on them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In these cases, they will likely strike without warning. They can be hard to see because of their camouflage, so you may get closer to a copperhead than you intend to simply because you don\u2019t see it soon enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Type of Venom Does a Copperhead Have?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to the State of Connecticut<\/a>, a copperhead\u2019s venom works by breaking down blood cells. When a copperhead strikes its prey, the venom works quickly to destroy the animal\u2019s blood and blood vessels, causing it to die from internal bleeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same basic principle applies when a copperhead bites a human, but usually with less grave results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A copperhead\u2019s venom is hemolytic; this is the term used to mean that it affects the blood. In a healthy adult human, this venom only affects the area that was bitten. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The venom may cause local bleeding or bruising, as well as swelling, because blood will flood the area as blood vessels break down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, this only happens locally and, in most cases, doesn\u2019t cause permanent damage. That said, a copperhead\u2019s bite can cause temporary systemic symptoms as well, such as vomiting and breathing difficulties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does Copperhead Venom Do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A copperhead\u2019s venom generally doesn\u2019t cause death, though young children and elderly individuals, as well as those with compromised immune systems, may be more at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As noted above, copperhead venom breaks down blood cells and blood vessels, causing temporary tissue damage in humans. The venom may cause other symptoms as well\u2013symptoms that are not necessarily deadly, but highly unpleasant. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best thing to do after being bit by a copperhead is to get to the hospital and receive an antivenom treatment to stop the venom\u2019s effects. The sooner you do this, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Happens if You Get Bit By a Copperhead?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The symptoms of a copperhead bite include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n