Overview
Snakebite envenomation is a condition that occurs when a venomous snake bites a person and injects venom (poison) into their body. It is not a genetic disease but rather an acute medical emergency caused by contact with venomous snakes. The venom can affect the body in different ways depending on the type of snake. Some venoms attack the nervous system (neurotoxic), causing paralysis and breathing problems. Others damage blood vessels and tissues (hemotoxic), leading to severe bleeding, swelling, and tissue destruction. Some venoms cause muscle breakdown (myotoxic) or kidney damage. Key symptoms include pain and swelling at the bite site, bruising, bleeding from the gums or wounds, difficulty breathing, drooping eyelids, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, organ failure or death. Symptoms can develop within minutes to hours after the bite. The main treatment is antivenom, which is a medicine made from antibodies that neutralize snake venom. Antivenom must be given as soon as possible in a hospital setting. Supportive care includes pain management, wound care, blood transfusions, breathing support with a ventilator if needed, and sometimes surgery to relieve tissue pressure. Despite being one of the most common envenomation injuries worldwide, snakebite envenomation was recognized as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization in 2017, highlighting the need for better access to treatment in affected regions.
Key symptoms:
Pain at the bite siteSwelling around the bite that may spreadBruising and skin discolorationBleeding from the bite, gums, or other woundsNausea and vomitingDifficulty breathingDrooping eyelids and blurred or double visionMuscle weakness or paralysisDizziness or faintingDark or reduced urine outputRapid heartbeatTissue death around the bite areaSevere headacheAbdominal painSeizures in severe cases
Clinical phenotype terms (34)— hover any for plain English
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
6 eventsLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine — PHASE2
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Townsville University Hospital — NA
Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute
Assiut University
University Hospital Center of Martinique
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
2 availableAnavip
Management of adult and pediatric patients with North American rattlesnake envenomation
CroFab
Treatment of minimal North American Crotalidae envenomation
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Snakebite envenomation.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Snakebite envenomation
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Analysis of the Efficacy of Pressure Pad vs Pressure Bandage Immobilisation for Snake Bite First Aid in Healthy Volunteers.
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Snakebite envenomation
New recruiting trial: Effects of Bothrops Spp. Snake Envenomation on Willebrand Factor Activity in Martinique and French Guiana
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Snakebite envenomation
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What type of snake caused the bite, and does this affect my treatment plan?,How long should I expect recovery to take, and what signs of complications should I watch for?,Will I need follow-up blood tests to check for delayed effects of the venom?,Are there any long-term effects I should be aware of, such as kidney damage or nerve problems?,What should I do if the swelling or pain gets worse after I leave the hospital?,Is there a risk of lasting damage to the bitten limb, and will I need physical therapy?,How can I reduce my risk of future snakebites?
Common questions about Snakebite envenomation
What is Snakebite envenomation?
Snakebite envenomation is a condition that occurs when a venomous snake bites a person and injects venom (poison) into their body. It is not a genetic disease but rather an acute medical emergency caused by contact with venomous snakes. The venom can affect the body in different ways depending on the type of snake. Some venoms attack the nervous system (neurotoxic), causing paralysis and breathing problems. Others damage blood vessels and tissues (hemotoxic), leading to severe bleeding, swelling, and tissue destruction. Some venoms cause muscle breakdown (myotoxic) or kidney damage. Key sympt
Are there clinical trials for Snakebite envenomation?
Yes — 2 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Snakebite envenomation on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Snakebite envenomation?
25 specialists and care centers treating Snakebite envenomation are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Snakebite envenomation?
2 patient support programs are currently tracked on UniteRare for Snakebite envenomation. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.