Cary Elwes, who starred in The Princess Bride, claims he is “recovering nicely” after being bitten by a rattlesnake.
Elwes joked on Twitter, “Bit not by a ROUS but a rattlesnake,” a reference to the hit 1987 film’s Rodents Of Unusual Size. He also posted a picture of his discoloured, swollen finger.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the actor was working outside his Malibu house when the snake bit him, and he was rushed to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
Elwes is one of the 7,000 to 8,000 persons bitten by venomous snakes in the United States each year, with approximately five of them dying, according to official statistics.
Here’s what to do if you come into contact with the deadly reptile, according to experts:
If you’ve been bitten by a snake, there are a few things you may look for to see if you’ve been bitten.
According to the Mayo Clinic, about 20% of snakes in the United States are venomous. Rattlesnakes, as well as other snakes like water moccasins and coral snakes, fall into this category.
Snakes that are venomous can sometimes be found swimming in water or hiding under trash. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if you see a snake in your home, you should contact your local animal control authorities. Trying to catch a snake on your own is a bad idea.
It’s possible that you’re confused if you’ve been bitten by a snake or have suffered an unconnected injury. Puncture marks at the wound site, pain and swelling, as well as neurological symptoms like impaired vision or numbness and tingling of the face and limbs, are all evidence of a bite.
If you are bitten, try to remember the snake’s colour and shape so that medical specialists can treat your damage.
Don’t use a tourniquet or try to suck the venom out. Instead, be cool and dial 911.
You’ve been bitten by a snake, and you’re in a lot of pain. So, what’s next?
First and foremost, find a safe location to sit and try to remain quiet, since this will help delay the spread of venom throughout your body. Make a 911 call.
The Asclepius Snakebite Foundation recommends using a Sharpie to encircle the bite site and write the time next to it. You should keep a list of your symptoms and update it on a regular basis, since this will aid the medical team treating you.
The foundation advises taking off jewellery and watches, which will be considerably more difficult to remove if your limbs begin to swell.
If you have an EpiPen, use it if you start to suffer anaphylactic symptoms including swelling of the face and throat, hives, or difficulty breathing. Wash the wound with warm, soapy water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing, according to the CDC.
Experts suggest you shouldn’t try to slice up the wound and suck out the poison like in the movies. Any snake bite should not be treated with a tourniquet. Also, don’t try to numb the pain by drinking alcohol.
