First Aid & Emergencies

Do you have tingling, burning, numbness, or a "pin-and-needles" feeling (paresthesia) below the bite injury?

Does the skin below the bite look pale and feel cold (pallor)?

Are you unable to move your limb normally (not because of pain) below the bite?

Do you have severe pain below a bite that is not part of the bite?

Did a lot of swelling develop within 30 minutes of the bite?

Do you have nausea or vomiting?

Do you have mild difficulty breathing?

Were you bitten by a very large snake (such as a boa constrictor, python, or anaconda), and you have no other symptoms?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you have diabetes?

Do you have a bite on a leg or foot and peripheral arterial disease?

Do you have a disease or take medicine that causes problems with your immune system?

Do you have red streaks extending from the bite?

Do you have increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the bite?

Is the area around the bite becoming more tender to the touch?

Do you have pus in, around, or draining from the bite?

Do you know or think you have a fever?

Have you had mild pain and swelling with redness less than around the bite for 24 hours or longer?

Have you had swollen glands (lymph nodes) in your neck, armpit, or groin for 1 week or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you think a tooth is still in the wound, and you are unable to remove it?

Are you unable to remove a tooth from the wound?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Are you worried that the bite area has gotten dirty or has germs on it and your last tetanus shot was longer than 5 years ago?Note: Something is dirty if it has dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it.

Are you not sure when you had your last tetanus shot?

Did you not get the first series of tetanus shots?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Have your symptoms gotten worse since seeing your doctor?

Have you seen your doctor, but the prescribed medical treatment has not helped your symptoms in 2 days or in the time frame given by your doctor?

Have your symptoms continued after 3 to 4 days of home treatment? Symptoms may include:The bite area does not seem to be healing as you expected.General feeling of illness.

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may need immediate care. Call your health professional now to discuss your symptoms and arrange for your care.

• Symptoms are likely to worsen without medical care.
• If you do not have a health professional, seek emergency care.
• Emergency transportation is not needed. However, if you are not able to travel safely either by driving yourself or having someone else drive you, call an ambulance.

You do not need to answer any of the other questions.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you need to call your health professional to discuss your symptoms and arrange for care.

• An appointment today is usually needed.
• Symptoms are unlikely to improve without medical care.

Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may wait to see if your symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or the specified time period). If symptoms improve, no appointment is needed.

• If symptoms do not improve after 24 hours (or the specified time period), an appointment within the next 24 hours is usually needed.
• If appropriate, try home treatment to relieve your symptoms.
• Check your symptoms in 24 hours, or sooner if there is any change.
• Call your health professional if symptoms get worse.

Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.