Rattlesnake bites can be life-threatening.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, 8000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States each year, including bites from rattlesnakes. While most North American snakes are not venomous, unless you are certain what type of snake has bitten you, treat any snake bite seriously and seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of rattlesnake bites usually begin immediately after you are bitten, though they can sometimes take up to a few hours to appear.
Puncture Wounds or Scratches
Puncture wounds or scratches will be visible if the snake's fangs have broken the skin. It can be difficult to distinguish whether these wounds are from a snake bite---and if so, whether that snake was a rattlesnake---but wounds from a rattlesnake bite tend to be larger and bleed more. Puncture wounds or scratches will appear even if the rattlesnake has not injected venom.
Pain and Swelling
A burning pain separate from the initial pain of the rattlesnake's fangs will often begin within minutes of the bite. This pain will be centered around the site of the bite, followed by rapid swelling that moves outwards from the bite. The severity of the pain and swelling depends on how much venom is injected.
Bleeding and Bruising
Most rattlesnake venom is primarily a hemorrhagic venom, which means that it damages the blood vessels, allowing blood to leak through them. Rattlesnake venom also destroys red blood cells. This causes blood to ooze from the wound and bruising to appear around the site of the bite, and can also cause internal bleeding.
Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure as the result of a rattlesnake bite can be caused both by traumatic shock and the effects of the venom on the blood. When you have low blood pressure, not enough oxygen is getting to most parts of the body, including the heart and the brain. Low blood pressure is often accompanied by a weak pulse and dizziness.
Nausea and Vomiting
Vomiting is a common symptom of rattlesnake venom, and if you begin to vomit very soon after you are bitten it may be an indication that a large amount of venom was injected by the rattlesnake. Nausea and vomiting can also be caused by the stress and fear of being bitten by a snake and may not be a direct result of the venom.
Numbness
Numbness as a result of rattlesnake venom can appear not just at the site of the bite but also around the mouth and tongue, the feet or the scalp. It can begin within minutes of a rattlesnake bite.
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