Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Envenomations
Number of Conditions: 4
Snake Bites
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Toxicology and Overdose
Sub-category: Envenomations
Symptoms:
localized pain and swelling; redness; bruising; nausea; vomiting; difficulty breathing; altered mental status; bleeding disorders; paralysis
Root Cause:
Snake venom contains a mixture of proteins, enzymes, and toxins that disrupt blood coagulation, damage tissues, and interfere with the nervous system or cardiovascular function.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, observation of bite marks, identification of the snake (if possible), blood tests for coagulation disorders, and monitoring for systemic effects.
Treatment:
Antivenom administration specific to the snake species, wound care, supportive care (e.g., IV fluids, oxygen), and monitoring for complications.
Medications:
Antivenom
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Estimated 5.4 million bites occur worldwide annually, with approximately 2.7 million envenomations and 81,000–138,000 deaths.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Outdoor activities in snake habitats, lack of protective footwear, delayed medical care, and inadequate access to antivenom.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good if treated promptly with appropriate antivenom; delayed treatment increases the risk of permanent damage or death.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Tissue necrosis, compartment syndrome, coagulopathy, renal failure, and systemic shock.
Spider Bites - Black Widow
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Toxicology and Overdose
Sub-category: Envenomations
Symptoms:
severe muscle cramps; abdominal pain; sweating; high blood pressure; restlessness
Root Cause:
Spider venom contains toxins that affect the nervous system (black widow) or cause local tissue destruction and systemic inflammation (brown recluse).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, observation of the bite area, identification of the spider (if possible), and symptom correlation.
Treatment:
Wound care, supportive care, muscle relaxants for black widow bites, and possibly antivenom. Surgical debridement may be needed for necrotic wounds.
Medications:
Antivenom
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Exact prevalence unknown; bites are more common in specific geographic areas where these spiders are endemic.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Working in or near woodpiles, attics, or basements; outdoor activities; handling debris.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Typically good with prompt treatment; severe complications are rare but may include long-term tissue damage.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Systemic toxicity (black widow), extensive necrosis (brown recluse), secondary infections.
Spider Bites - Brown Recluse
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Toxicology and Overdose
Sub-category: Envenomations
Symptoms:
localized pain and redness; necrotic skin lesions; fever; chills; malaise
Root Cause:
Spider venom contains toxins that affect the nervous system (black widow) or cause local tissue destruction and systemic inflammation (brown recluse).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, observation of the bite area, identification of the spider (if possible), and symptom correlation.
Treatment:
Wound care, supportive care, muscle relaxants for black widow bites, and possibly antivenom. Surgical debridement may be needed for necrotic wounds.
Medications:
Antivenom
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Exact prevalence unknown; bites are more common in specific geographic areas where these spiders are endemic.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Working in or near woodpiles, attics, or basements; outdoor activities; handling debris.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Typically good with prompt treatment; severe complications are rare but may include long-term tissue damage.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Systemic toxicity (black widow), extensive necrosis (brown recluse), secondary infections.
Marine Envenomations (e.g., Jellyfish, Stingrays)
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Toxicology and Overdose
Sub-category: Envenomations
Symptoms:
localized pain; burning or stinging sensation; redness and swelling; nausea; vomiting; difficulty breathing; muscle cramps; cardiac symptoms in severe cases
Root Cause:
Toxins from marine animals cause local or systemic effects, including tissue damage, allergic reactions, and cardiovascular disturbances.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, observation of sting site, identification of the marine animal, and symptom assessment.
Treatment:
Removal of stingers or spines, rinsing with vinegar or hot water, pain management, and supportive care. Antivenom may be used for specific stings (e.g., box jellyfish).
Medications:
Pain Relievers
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in coastal regions; thousands of cases occur annually worldwide.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Swimming or diving in marine environments, inadequate protective measures (e.g., wetsuits).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with appropriate treatment; severe cases (e.g., box jellyfish stings) require prompt intervention.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe allergic reactions, tissue necrosis, infection, and cardiac arrest in rare cases.