Woman Bitten by Venomous Copperhead Snake Thrice Lived to Tell the Tale

On a Wednesday night, Susan Conlin O'Neil was on her way home when suddenly she was bitten by a snake. It felt like a bee sting but when the third bite came, she felt the pain coming up her leg.

A copperhead snake has bitten her three times that day. The retired RN Hilton woman, who spent 20 years in ER and lived on the island for 27 years, was in panic. She said to The Island Packet of her experience stating that "It felt like someone stuck an electric knife in my leg". She was then sent to Hilton Head Hospital by her friends for treatment.

A few people in the social media also shared their experiences in regards to Susan Conlin O'Neil's awful encounter with a copperhead snake.

What happens next if a Copperhead Snake Bites

It might be rare for a human to die from a bite of a copperhead snake however, these bites can be very painful. These snakes strike without warning and this may result to temporary tissue damage. As for O'Neil, her foot was swelling and for a week she can barely walk. She stated that "I was throwing up like crazy and sweating. Like, sweat hitting the floor dripping".

According to CDC, a person may also experience shortness or trouble in breathing, swelling near the bite, tingling or numbness around the face or bitten area, and also severe pain. O'Neil advises public to be ready if in any case you will get bitten and if possible try to avoid them.

An ER Physician of Hilton Head Hospital, Patrick Snowman, says that we shouldn't try to cut open a bite of a snake, neither try to take out the venom, and also putting an ice on it won't do any help.

Though copperhead snake bite are mild and rarely disastrous to humans, we should take this seriously and seek medication immediately if one gets bitten.

Preventive Measures

The venom of a young copperhead is more harmful than that of an older snake. These snakes fit in perfectly in the suburbs. Both sunlight and cover will be preferred habitats. Copperheads are active during the day in the spring and fall, but they are nocturnal in the summer, especially on a warm, humid evening after a rain.

To prevent snake bites - avoid tall grass unless wearing heavy boots and long pants and if moving along through tall grass, poke the ground with a long stick before stepping to the ground. Keep your hands and feet away from areas where you can't see them. If you come across a snake, either leave it alone or walk around it because snakes can strike up to half their length. Allowing children to play in weed-infested, vacant lots is not a good idea.

These precautions and concepts should be shared to everyone. It is also important to be aware of the types of snakes around your area. Reviewing snakebites preventions would be a great idea for future purposes and safety, too.