Ornament induced complications in snake bites: Revisiting the “Do it RIGHT” approach

• Main Authors: Subhendu Mallik, Sudipta Ranjan Singh, Sangeeta Sahoo, Manoj Kumar Mohanty
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2016-01-01
• Series: Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
• Subjects: First aid; gangrene; ornaments; protocol; snake bite
• Online Access: http://www.jfmpc.com/article.asp?issn=2249-4863;year=2016;volume=5;issue=2;spage=474;epage=476;aulast=Mallik
• ISSN: 2249-4863

Limb adorning ornaments (LAO) can exacerbate the local effects of envenoming in case of venomous snake bite. Cultural presuppositions do inhibit victims from removing symbolically/ritually important jewelry even under circumstances that might increase the dangers of envenoming-induced gangrene formation. The recommendation to remove the LAO is usually skipped in guidelines and if at all included the very real hazard is uncommonly documented. We observed 14 cases of snake bite with LAO on the bitten limb with minimal to severe local complications. The possible reasons were discussed with recommendations of proper and timely methods of removal of these ornaments. We suggest inclusion of this concept of 'Remove' in the recommended first aid methods of the guidelines/protocols.