What may increase your risk for problems after a snake or lizard bite?
Content provided by Healthwise
What may increase your risk for problems after a snake or lizard bite?
Many conditions, lifestyle choices, medicines, and diseases interfere with your ability to heal or fight infection. You may be at risk for a more serious problem from your symptoms if you have any of the following. Be sure to tell your doctor.
Conditions
- Age older than 60
- Children and small adults
- Malnutrition
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Previous allergic reaction to snakes or lizards or to antivenom used to treat a prior bite
- Previous snake or lizard bite that required medical treatment
- Previous treatment with snake antivenom
- Previous surgery to injured area
- Previous surgery to remove the spleen
- Uncertain tetanus immunization history
Lifestyle choices
- Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
- Drug abuse or withdrawal
- Smoking or other tobacco use
Medicines
- Anticoagulants, such as aspirin, heparin, or warfarin (Coumadin)
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
- Medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection
- Medicines used to treat cancer (chemotherapy)
- Radiation therapy
Diseases
- Anemia
- Bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia or von Willebrand's disease
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia
- Heart disease
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Neurologic diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, or Parkinson's disease
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Sickle cell disease
Credits
| Author | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Editor | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Sean P. Bush, MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine and Envenomation Specialist |
| Last Updated | July 20, 2006 |
| Last updated: | July 20, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Reviewed By: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Sean P. Bush, MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine and Envenomation Specialist |
| Editors: | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC, Tracy Landauer |
© 1995-2007, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. By using AOL Body, you indicate that you have read, understood, and agreed to our Terms of Service, and AOL Body Advertising Policy. Read more about our content partners.
Search
Where Does it Hurt?
If you're experiencing aches and pains we can help you find answers. Find out what your symptoms mean for your health.
