72 HEALTH MATTERS
© Felix Reimann
T
he good news is that most people won’t find these poisonous snakes in their back garden - they tend to live on the sunny slopes of the Jura and the Swiss Alps and not on the plateau. Snakes are cold-blooded creatures: their body temperature depends on that of the environment around them. They are most active mid-February to end-October when they can be found basking in the sun on rocks. However during heat waves, droughts, heavy rain or cold weather, they tend to hide away in piles of wood, under stones or in dry walls.
HEALTH MATTERS WITH DR. MICHELLE WRIGHT Dr Michelle Wright is a British-trained General Practitioner and one of the Medical Directors of HealthFirst, delivering First Aid Training and Health Education in English throughout Switzerland: www.healthfirst.ch Michelle also works as a doctor in the Staff Medical Service of the International Labour Organisation in Geneva and is a medical writer and journalist. Listen to Health Matters on WRS. See
schedule on page 86.
OICE MAGAZINE ISSUE 04 - SUMMER 2016
While there has only been one fatality in Switzerland related to a snake bite since 1960, and only 103 snake bites recorded between 1983 and 1995, (and only 14 people developed complications) - anyone who works outside or who enjoys walking in the Swiss countryside could encounter a venomous snake.
The majority of snake bites in this country only lead to minor symptoms but 24-hour surveillance in hospital and supportive treatment will be required. Anti-venom treatment is rarely necessary and the biggest danger is a serious allergic reaction - but this is not common. What is the First Aid for a snake bite in Switzerland? 1.
Stay calm. Bites can be painful but it usually takes several hours for any venom to have its effects, allowing time for medical care to be sought. In the case of an arm bite; remove any watch, rings or bracelets because swelling is likely to occur.
2.
Disinfect the wound with a disinfectant spray, lotion, cream etc.
3.
Immobilise the affected limb to slow
It can be very difficult to tell the difference between venomous and non-venomous snakes in Switzerland. The two venomous vipers have vertical pupils rather than the round ones of the non-venomous varieties. The scales on the snake’s head also differ. However these differences are subtle and are not evident from a distance. In addition, the colours and markings on these snakes are so variable that they cannot be relied on to determine whether they are poisonous or not. In conclusion, caution is needed whenever you come across a snake.