Venomous Animals That Come with Floods: Snakes, Centipedes, Scorpions — Prevention and First Aid

Quick summary During floods, venomous animals such as snakes, centipedes and scorpions flee the water and hide in homes and dry places. The Department of Disease Control advises checking dark corners, beds, shoes and clothes before use. If bitten by a snake, stay calm, move the bitten part as little as possible, do not apply a tourniquet and do not suck out the venom, then get to a hospital quickly or call 1669.

เวลาน้ำท่วม นอกจากเรื่องบ้านและรถแล้ว อีกเรื่องที่คนมักลืมคือสัตว์ที่หนีน้ำเข้ามาอยู่ใกล้ตัวเรา บทความนี้รวบรวมวิธีป้องกันและการปฐมพยาบาลที่ถูกต้อง จากกรมควบคุมโรค โรงพยาบาลจุฬาลงกรณ์ สภากาชาดไทย และสถาบันการแพทย์ฉุกเฉินแห่งชาติ

Which venomous animals come with floods?

When water floods their burrows and habitats, these animals move to dry, warm places, which are often people's homes, piles of stored items and damp corners of the house.

How to keep venomous animals out of your home during floods

The Department of Disease Control recommends 5 ways to prevent them

1. Check dark corners of the house regularly and keep the lighting bright enough
2. Check the bed before sleeping Raise the mattress off the floor and use a mosquito net if you can
3. Check clothes and shoes before putting them on and wear boots when walking in gardens or overgrown areas
4. Keep the house clean and tidy so there are no hiding places
5. Avoid walking in narrow spaces or tall grass at night

If you must wade through water, tap ahead with a long stick before walking and watch for places you cannot see underwater. If you find a snake in the house, do not try to catch it yourself; call 199 for help.

What to do if bitten by a snake

King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, recommends these steps

1. Stay calm and do not panic
2. Note what the snake looks like, or photograph it if you can do so safely, so the doctor can choose the right treatment
3. Call for help and dial 1669
4. Get to a hospital as quickly as possible and move the bitten part only as much as necessary
5. If venom gets in the eyes, rinse them with plenty of clean water

Whatnot to doafter a snake bite

• Do not apply a tourniquet; it does not stop the venom from being absorbed
• Do not suck out the venom
• Do not apply herbal pastes or put ice directly on the wound

First aid for a centipede bite

1. Wash the wound with clean water and soap
2. Apply a cold compress to reduce pain and swelling
3. Take painkillers if needed
4. If the pain is severe, the swelling spreads fast, or other unusual symptoms appear, see a doctor

Do not suck the wound, and do not crush the centipede inside the house, because it releases a scent that attracts other centipedes

First aid for a scorpion sting

1. Clean the wound and surrounding skin with water and mild soap
2. Apply a cold compress to reduce pain and swelling
3. Raise the stung part
4. Take painkillers if needed, and see a doctor if symptoms do not improve

Numbers to know if attacked by a venomous animal

See other hotlines at all emergency hotlines and read more about floods at What Is Utokkaphai (Flood)?

Frequently asked questions

Summary

During floods, snakes, centipedes and scorpions flee the water and come closer to us. You can prevent bites by checking dark corners, beds, shoes and clothes before use. If bitten by a snake, stay calm, move as little as possible, do not apply a tourniquet, do not suck out the venom, and get to a hospital quickly. The information in this article is basic first aid only, not medical treatment.

Sources:
Department of Disease Control: 5 ways to prevent venomous animals during floods (Bangkok Biz News)
King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society: no tourniquet for snake bites
Thai PBS: 3 venomous animals of the rainy season (citing NIEM, the Department of Disease Control and Siriraj)
Ramathibodi Poison Center
Compiled by E26BLC