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Snake bites

Overview

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If you've been bitten by a snake, stay calm while you wait for help. Keep the part of your body that was bitten still and take paracetamol for pain.

Your snake bite will be cleaned and bandaged in hospital. You may be given a medicine to treat venom if you were bitten by a poisonous snake.

Any snake can bite. In the UK, there are 3 types of wild snake, but the adder is the only one that has poison (venom).

Most snake bites in the UK are not serious, but it's important to get them checked. If you've been bitten, call 999 or go to A&E straight away.

Page last reviewed: 07/02/2023
Next review due: 07/02/2026