Hoi Li’s Emergency Alert: Snake Bites & Neurotoxic Venom – How to Identify, Treat, and Fund the Cure

1. The "Venom Audit": Who Bit You?

Not all snakes are the same. You need to know these two terms:

• Neurotoxic (Cobras/Mambas): This venom attacks your nervous system. Symptoms include drooping eyelids, difficulty swallowing, and respiratory failure. It's fast and silent.
• Hemotoxic (Vipers/Adders): This venom attacks your blood and tissues. You'll see massive swelling, bruising, and spontaneous bleeding from the gums or old wounds.

Hoi Li Tip: Do NOT try to catch the snake. Take a photo from a safe distance if possible, or remember the color and head shape (Triangular often means venomous).

2. Emergency "Do's and Don'ts"

Forget what you saw in the movies. The street math for first aid is simple:

• DO stay calm (a fast heart pumps venom faster).
• DO immobilize the limb and keep it at or slightly below heart level.
• DON'T cut the wound or try to "suck out" the venom (you'll just give yourself a mouth full of poison).
• DON'T use a tight tourniquet; it can lead to amputation by cutting off all blood flow.

3. The Medication: Anti-Venom Protocol

The only cure for a venomous bite is Polyvalent Anti-Venom. This is a hospital-only injection. Most local pharmacies won't have it, and it needs cold-chain storage. In Nigeria, look for specialized centers like the Kaltungo Snake Bite Hospital or major Federal Medical Centers (FMC). Do not waste time with "local herbs"—venom doesn't care about tradition, it cares about science.

4. The Financial "Bite": Why Emergency Funds Matter

Here is the audit: A full coarse of anti-venom in Nigeria can cost between ₦150,000 to ₦300,000 depending on the severity. This is why I always preach about the Emergency Fund. A health crisis doesn't wait for your next "Business Alert." Having "Liquid Cash" saved for emergencies is the ultimate first aid kit. Stay compliant, and stay alive.