Editing Snakebite (section)

=== Outmoded ===
[[File:Snakebite kit.jpg|thumb|right|Old-style snake bite kit that should not be used]]
The following treatments, while once recommended, are considered of no use or harmful, including tourniquets, incisions, suction, application of cold, and application of electricity.<ref name="ACM2011">{{cite journal | title = Pressure immobilization after North American Crotalinae snake envenomation | journal = Journal of Medical Toxicology | volume = 7 | issue = 4 | pages = 322–323 | date = December 2011 | pmid = 22065370 | pmc = 3550191 | doi = 10.1007/s13181-011-0174-2 | author1 = American College of Medical Toxicology | author2 = American Academy of Clinical Toxicology | author3 = American Association of Poison Control Centers | author4 = European Association of Poison Control Centres | author5 = International Society of Toxinology | author6 = Asia Pacific Association of Medical Toxicology}}</ref> Cases in which these treatments appear to work may be the result of [[dry bite]]s.
* Application of a [[tourniquet]] to the bitten limb is generally not recommended. There is no convincing evidence that it is an effective first-aid tool as ordinarily applied.<ref name="theak">{{cite journal | vauthors = Theakston RD | title = An objective approach to antivenom therapy and assessment of first-aid measures in snake bite | journal = Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology | volume = 91 | issue = 7 | pages = 857–865 | date = October 1997 | pmid = 9625943 | doi = 10.1080/00034989760626 | url = http://www.kingsnake.com/aho/pdf/menu6/theakston1997.pdf | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081230093058/http://www.kingsnake.com/aho/pdf/menu6/theakston1997.pdf | archive-date = 30 December 2008}}</ref> Tourniquets have been found to be completely ineffective in the treatment of ''[[Crotalus durissus]]'' bites,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Amaral CF, Campolina D, Dias MB, Bueno CM, Rezende NA | title = Tourniquet ineffectiveness to reduce the severity of envenoming after Crotalus durissus snake bite in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil | journal = Toxicon | volume = 36 | issue = 5 | pages = 805–808 | date = May 1998 | pmid = 9655642 | doi = 10.1016/S0041-0101(97)00132-3| bibcode = 1998Txcn...36..805A }}</ref> but some positive results have been seen with properly applied tourniquets for cobra venom in the [[Philippines]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Watt G, Padre L, Tuazon ML, Theakston RD, Laughlin LW | title = Tourniquet application after cobra bite: delay in the onset of neurotoxicity and the dangers of sudden release | journal = The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene | volume = 38 | issue = 3 | pages = 618–622 | date = May 1988 | pmid = 3275141 | doi = 10.4269/ajtmh.1988.38.618 | s2cid = 29451180}}</ref> Uninformed tourniquet use is dangerous since reducing or cutting off circulation can lead to [[gangrene]], which can be fatal.<ref name="theak" /> The use of a compression bandage is generally as effective, and much safer.
* Cutting open the bitten area, an action often taken before suction, is not recommended since it causes further damage and increases the risk of infection; the subsequent cauterization of the area with fire or silver nitrate (also known as ''infernal stone'') is also potentially threatening.<ref name="peola">{{cite book | vauthors = Lupano G, Peola P |date=1915 |title=Corso di Scienze Naturali a uso delle Scuole Complementari |trans-title=A Course of Natural Sciences for the Complementary Institutes |language=it |publisher=G.B. Paravia |page=68}}</ref>
* Sucking out venom, either by mouth or with a pump, does not work and may harm the affected area directly.<ref name="pmid16781926">{{cite journal | vauthors = Holstege CP, Singletary EM | title = Images in emergency medicine. Skin damage following application of suction device for snakebite | journal = Annals of Emergency Medicine | volume = 48 | issue = 1 | pages = 105, 113 | date = July 2006 | pmid = 16781926 | doi = 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2005.12.019 | doi-access = free}}</ref> Suction started after three minutes removes a clinically insignificant quantity—less than one-thousandth of the venom injected—as shown in a human study.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Alberts MB, Shalit M, LoGalbo F | title = Suction for venomous snakebite: a study of "mock venom" extraction in a human model | journal = Annals of Emergency Medicine | volume = 43 | issue = 2 | pages = 181–186 | date = February 2004 | pmid = 14747805 | doi = 10.1016/S0196-0644(03)00813-8}}</ref> In a study with pigs, suction not only caused no improvement but led to [[necrosis]] in the suctioned area.<ref name="pmid11055564">{{cite journal | vauthors = Bush SP, Hegewald KG, Green SM, Cardwell MD, Hayes WK | title = Effects of a negative pressure venom extraction device (Extractor) on local tissue injury after artificial rattlesnake envenomation in a porcine model | journal = Wilderness & Environmental Medicine | volume = 11 | issue = 3 | pages = 180–188 | year = 2000 | pmid = 11055564 | doi = 10.1580/1080-6032(2000)011[0180:EOANPV]2.3.CO;2 | doi-access = free}}</ref> Suctioning by mouth presents a risk of further poisoning through the mouth's [[oral mucosa|mucous tissues]].<ref>Riggs BS, Smilkstein MJ, Kulig KW, ''et al.'' Rattlesnake envenomation with massive oropharyngeal edema following incision and suction (Abstract). Presented at the AACT/AAPCC/ABMT/CAPCC Annual Scientific Meeting, Vancouver, Canada, September 27 October 2, 1987.</ref> The helper may also release bacteria into the person's wound, leading to infection.
* Immersion in warm water or sour milk, followed by the application of [[snake-stones]] (also known as ''la Pierre Noire''), which are believed to draw off the poison in much the way a sponge soaks up water.
* Application of a one-percent solution of [[potassium permanganate]] or [[chromic acid]] to the cut, exposed area.<ref name="peola"/> The latter substance is notably toxic and carcinogenic.
* Drinking abundant quantities of alcohol following the cauterization or disinfection of the wound area.<ref name="peola"/>
* Use of electroshock therapy in animal tests has shown this treatment to be useless and potentially dangerous.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Russell FE | title = Another warning about electric shock for snakebite | journal = Postgraduate Medicine | volume = 82 | issue = 5 | page = 32 | date = October 1987 | pmid = 3671201 | doi = 10.1080/00325481.1987.11699990}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Ryan AJ | title = Don't use electric shock for snakebite | journal = Postgraduate Medicine | volume = 82 | issue = 2 | page = 42 | date = August 1987 | pmid = 3497394 | doi = 10.1080/00325481.1987.11699922 | s2cid = 222260195}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Howe NR, Meisenheimer JL | title = Electric shock does not save snakebitten rats | journal = Annals of Emergency Medicine | volume = 17 | issue = 3 | pages = 254–256 | date = March 1988 | pmid = 3257850 | doi = 10.1016/S0196-0644(88)80118-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Johnson EK, Kardong KV, Mackessy SP | title = Electric shocks are ineffective in treatment of lethal effects of rattlesnake envenomation in mice | journal = Toxicon | volume = 25 | issue = 12 | pages = 1347–1349 | year = 1987 | pmid = 3438923 | doi = 10.1016/0041-0101(87)90013-4| bibcode = 1987Txcn...25.1347J }}</ref>

In extreme cases, in remote areas, all of these misguided attempts at treatment have resulted in injuries far worse than an otherwise mild to moderate snakebite. In worst-case scenarios, thoroughly constricting tourniquets have been applied to bitten limbs, completely shutting off blood flow to the area. By the time the person finally reached appropriate medical facilities, their limbs had to be [[amputated]].{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}