We live in a very snakey area. Have killed 100 plus Copperheads in our yard in 5 years and every now and then a Rattlesnake. We have all been lucky not to have been bit, but we are careful and lucky. Some neighbors have a vacation home and were recently here. Thy went outside late one night last week and the wife was Copperhead bit.
They called me right away. There is a plant I use when our dogs get bit (at least 6 times a year) and I also used it with good results when DH had a brown recluse bite. I started a poultice of that (couldn't hurt I figured) while I did a quick assessment and called doctor.
She had 2 fang marks that were bleeding on her ankle. She went on to the ER and they did some blood work and monitored swelling (don't do routine antivenin for Copperheads anymore). She was sent home 4 hours later. It swelled a great deal and turned black. She returned home several days later.
Here's my question. I work in home health and see lots of things. Recently had pt on wd vac for old brown recluse bite that basically rotted her foot off. I know the Copperhead venom acts the same way by causing tissue necrosis after the fact. I just don't know the timeline of when to start looking for this.
She thinks that she is now going to be just fine (10 days past bite) although it is still very sore, swells when on it, fang marks still visible and part of foot is black but no open areas. There's not much out there as far as down the road is concerned, it's mostly what to do right away. Does anyone have any experience with Copperhead bites? If tissue necrosis is going to occur, does it take a week, a month....any help is appreciated.
