First Aid for Snake Bite (How to Survive a Snake Bite)

On the 31st of January, 2026, a fast-rising Nigerian singer, Ifunanya Nwangene (stage name Nanyah), died after a snake bite at her Abuja home. Reports say she sought urgent care at multiple facilities but faced delays while the required antivenom was being sourced. Her tragic death has once again highlighted how quickly snakebite cases can become fatal when treatment is delayed.

The death of Ifunanya Nwangene is one of the numerous incidents of snake bites. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is estimated that up to 2.7 million people worldwide suffer from snakebite envenoming each year. Among those bitten, between 81,000 and 138,000 die, while as many as 400,000 survivors are left with permanent disabilities, including amputations and lasting tissue damage. At Emergency Response Africa, our goal is to reduce these preventable deaths and help save the lives of those affected by snakebites.

Why Snake Bites Are Dangerous in Nigeria

Snake bites should always be taken seriously. In tropical regions like Nigeria, the climate and diverse terrain create the possibility for venomous snakes, including cobras, puff adders, and vipers, to live and thrive. These snakes are commonly found in rural and agricultural areas, as well as in urban locations near rivers, undeveloped land, or construction sites. They can occasionally be found in fully developed urban areas, so it’s important to stay vigilant Snake bites can cause a variety of disabilities ranging from skin and soft tissue injury that causes scarring to deeper muscle, connective tissue, and vascular necrosis and gangrene leading to substantial loss of limb use or even amputation. Poor wound healing can lead to disfiguring contracture and permanent loss of function. Spitting cobras can spray venom into the eyes, causing conjunctivitis, corneal ulceration and erosion and, ultimately, blindness. Some toxins in snake venoms can cause effects that indirectly damage the normal function of the kidneys, resulting in a need for long-term haemodialysis or even kidney transplantation. All of these types of injury require prolonged hospital treatment and extensive rehabilitation.

Understanding Snake Bites and Venom

Poisonous snakes inject venom using modified salivary glands. During envenomation (the bite that injects venom or poison), the venom passes from the venom gland through a duct into the snake’s fangs, and finally into its prey. Not all bites lead to envenomation. Snakes can regulate whether to release venom and how much to release. “Dry Bites” (a bite where no venom is injected) occur in between 25%-50% of snake bites. This variation is species-specific with approximately 25% of pit-viper bites and up to 50% of coral snake bites being “dry.” Snake venom is a combination of numerous substances with varying effects.

In simple terms, these proteins from snake bites can be divided into 4 categories:

• Cytotoxins cause local tissue damage.
• Hemotoxins cause internal bleeding.
• Neurotoxins affect the nervous system.
• Cardiotoxins act directly on the heart.

Snakebites are more common in tropical regions and primarily agricultural areas. In these areas, large numbers of people coexist with numerous snakes. If a snake bites you, call ERA (Emergency Response Africa) or your local emergency number immediately, especially if the bitten area changes color, begins to swell or is painful.

First Aid for Snake Bite in Nigeria

Snakebites are medical emergencies that require calm, informed, and immediate action, especially in Nigeria, where access to timely care can vary and delays can quickly become life-threatening. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes after a bite can significantly reduce complications and improve survival outcomes.

Dr. Femi Onasanya, Clinical Lead at Emergency Response Africa, stated that a snakebite is a medical emergency, and what a person does in the first few minutes can determine the outcome. He emphasized that staying calm, limiting movement, and getting to a hospital as quickly as possible can slow the spread of venom and prevent life-threatening complications, warning that home remedies and delays often cause more harm than the bite itself.

Ensure you take these steps if you get bitten by a snake or encounter any snake bite victim:

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible (Call Emergency Response Africa (080002255372) or call any Emergency Medical Services).
• Antivenom is the treatment for serious snake envenomation. The sooner antivenom can be started, the sooner irreversible damage from venom can be stopped.
• Driving oneself to the hospital is not advised because people with snakebites can become dizzy or pass out.
• Take a photograph of the snake from a safe distance if possible. Identifying the snake can help with treatment of the snakebite.
• Keep calm.
• Update and inform ERA’s first responders of the situation as it progresses.
• Apply first aid while waiting for ERA’s paramedic to get you to the hospital.
• Lay or sit down with the bite in a neutral position of comfort.
• Remove rings and watches before swelling starts.
• Wash the bite with soap and water.
• Position yourself, if possible, so that the bite is at or below the level of your heart.
• Cover the bite with a clean, dry dressing.
• Mark the leading edge of tenderness/swelling on the skin and write the time alongside it.

Read More: Comprehensive First Aid and CPR training in Nigeria

Caution: Do NOT do any of the following

• Don’t use a tourniquet or apply ice.
• Don’t cut the wound or attempt to remove the venom.
• Don’t drink caffeine or alcohol, which could speed your body’s absorption of venom.
• Don’t try to capture the snake. Try to remember its color and shape so that you can describe it, which will help in your treatment. If you have a smartphone with you and it won’t delay your getting help, take a picture of the snake from a safe distance to help with identification.
• Do not pick up the snake or try to trap it. NEVER handle a venomous snake, not even a dead one or its decapitated head.
• Do not wait for symptoms to appear if bitten, get medical help right away.
• Do not try to suck out the venom.
• Do not apply ice or immerse the wound in water.
• Do not take pain relievers (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen).
• Do not apply electric shock or folk therapies.

Symptoms of a Snake Bite

Most snakebites occur on the extremities. Typical symptoms of the bite from a nonvenomous snake are pain and scratches at the site. Usually, after a bite from a venomous snake, there is severe burning pain at the site within 15 to 30 minutes. This can progress to swelling and bruising at the wound and all the way up the arm or leg. Other signs and symptoms include nausea, labored breathing and a general sense of weakness, as well as an odd taste in the mouth. Some snakes, such as coral snakes, have toxins that cause neurological symptoms, such as skin tingling, difficulty speaking and weakness. Sometimes, a venomous snake can bite without injecting venom. The result of these “dry bites” is irritation at the site. Also note that signs or symptoms of a snake bite may vary depending on the type of snake, but may include:

• Puncture marks at the wound
• Redness, swelling, bruising, bleeding, or blistering around the bite
• Severe pain and tenderness at the site of the bite
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Labored breathing (in extreme cases, breathing may stop altogether)
• Rapid heart rate, weak pulse, low blood pressure
• Disturbed vision
• Metallic, mint, or rubber taste in the mouth
• Increased salivation and sweating
• Numbness or tingling around face and/or limbs
• Muscle twitching

  In Nigeria, where access to immediate medical care may be limited in some rural or semi-urban areas, recognizing the early signs of a snake bite can be lifesaving. Some symptoms may appear mild at first but can worsen rapidly if venom is involved. This is why healthcare providers often rely on simple bedside assessments to quickly determine whether envenomation has occurred. One of the most widely used methods in resource-limited settings is the 20-Minute Whole Blood Clotting Test, which helps assess whether snake venom is affecting the blood’s ability to clot and guides urgent treatment decisions. Read More: 20 Minute White Blood Cutting test

How can you prevent a snake bite from happening?

Depending on where you live (or choose to vacation), you may or may not have a hard time avoiding snakes. But if you’re going to be in snake territory, there are some useful tips to avoid getting bitten:

• Always be careful where you put your hands and feet. Don’t reach into unknown spaces and holes, or underneath objects without first being sure a snake isn’t hiding underneath.
• Don’t lie down or sit down in areas where there might be snakes.
• Wear high-top leather boots when walking through or working in areas with dense vegetation.
• Do not attempt to capture, handle or keep venomous snakes.
• If you’re going camping, take extra care around swamps and other places where snakes typically live.
• If you come across a snake, slowly back away from it and avoid touching it.

Conclusion

Snakebite emergencies highlight the critical importance of preparedness, timely action, and access to proper medical care. Avoiding snakes and seeking immediate hospital treatment are essential, but knowing what to do in the crucial first moments after a bite can significantly reduce complications and save lives. One of the most effective ways to be prepared is through proper training. Emergency Response Africa offers comprehensive First Aid and CPR training in Nigeria, with internationally recognised certification, equipping individuals, workplaces, schools, and communities with practical, lifesaving skills. The training covers first aid for a wide range of emergencies, including snake bites, cardiac arrest, bleeding, choking, and other medical emergencies, equipping trained participants to respond confidently and correctly when every second counts.