Korean poisonous snakes are Agkistrodon brevicaudus, Agkistrodon saxatilis and Agkistrodon ussuriensis. In the past, Rhabdophis tigrinus was considered to be a non-poisonous snake, but Japanese reports state that it is poisonous. Envenomation of
Rhabdophis tigrinus is severe and its victim develops DIC, cerebral hemorrhage, renal failure and pulmonary edema. This snake also inhabits Korea. Therefore, there are four species of poisonous snakes in Korea. Snake bites occurr more often in
July,
August and September. Although venomous snakes are nocturnal, most of the bites occur in daylight. Most of the bites take place in the agricultural fields and homes which indicates a close relationship between human beings and snakes. Extremities
are
the most frequent sites of bites. Painful swelling and tenderness are the main local symptoms, and dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurrred vision and headache appear frequently systemically. We have seen complications like cellulitis, wound
necrosis
as
well as life threatening complications such as DIC, cerebral hemorrhage, SAH, acute shock, and death. The treatment of venomous snake bites should first be incision and suction, proper tourniquet application, tetanus prevention, antibiotics,
fluid
replacement and antivenin. Inadquate local treatment cause to acceleration of local complication and to length in periods of treatment. Most important of treatment is antivenin. According to Japanese study, Antivenin of Agkistodon blomhoffii
(Japanease
name; Mamushi) neutralizes the venoms of Korean Agkistrodons and has an anti-lethal effect and anti-hemorrhagic effect on A. brevicaudus and A. ussuriensis.
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