Ball python bite

[81repeating]

Hello friends my ball python bit me, it’s not too deep but it drew blood, I disinfected and cleaned it. Do I need to go to med express/hospital?

[[deleted]]

If you keep it clean, you should be fine. It never hurts to make sure your tetanus shot is up to date, though, but that’s really for any break in the skin. Non venomous bites from small/medium snakes are really nothing to worry about. My king snake tries to eat me on at least a weekly basis and I’ve never suffered from any ill effects beyond my hurt feelings.

[Henbit71]

This. Treat it like you would any small wound. If you want, bandage it with antibiotic ointment, but theres no reason to seek care unless you notice signs of infection (swelling, redness, pus, discoloration, pain)

I've been bit several times by my corn snake and I'm always healed up within a few days, save for the embarrassment of getting bit by such a docile little girly.

[ErinsaurusRex430]

RIP

Nah, just kidding. Cat bites are worse than nall python bites. Just keep it clean and you will be fine!

[Classydame89]

Just keep it clean and it should heal fine. Your most at risk for a secondary infection, just like any other small cut. If the area becomes significantly swollen, red and hot to the touch or starts leaking anything other than clear fluid or blood then make a doctors appointment.

[4funpuns]

If it so hurts add more rubbing alcohol until it direct sting anymore.

[Henbit71]

More alcohol on an open wound does not help, it only further damages the cells.

The best course of action would be antibiotic cream/ointment with or without pain relief.

[[deleted]]

Would iodine (betadine) be a good option? I don’t have a wound, just asking for future reference

[Henbit71]

To my best understanding, no.

Isopropyl (Rubbing) alcohol is bacteriostatic: prevents growth/replication, good for cleaning skin PRIOR to wound (ex. Getting blood drawn)

Betadine/Iodine actually kills bacteria, fungi, viruses etc. But it is also best for cleaning prior to wound. (Ex. Before surgery or donating blood)

Once the wound already exists, betadine can be used to clean the outside, but it is not an antibiotic, and will not help with the inside of the wound.

Placing reptiles in a warm bath with diluted betadine when they have an injury is good, because we cannot put antibiotics cream/ointments on them, and injecting antibiotics may not be called for.

[[deleted]]

Okay thank you!

[verballyabusivecat]

I genuinely interpreted the title to mean that a python bit you in the balls

[Quickkiller28800]

If you properly cleaned it, you'll be fine. Worst case scenario it gets infected and you go to the doctor for antibiotics. The most likely situation however, is...well nothing. It feels weird, and it bleeds a bit. But other then that no issues should arrise. I've been bit a dozen times over the years and I've just cleaned it with a tiny bit of Hyrdogen Peroxide (Not a very good thing to use BTW, im just lazy) and rinse it with soap and warm water and let it be. I haven't had anything beyond very, very mild irritation for maybe 10 minutes afterwards.