Rattlesnake bite

Rattlesnake Bite
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Colleen Huber, NMD
Message 1 of 8 , Jun 2
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A 9 y.o. boy was bitten by a Western diamondback rattlesnake on the lower leg one week ago.  Mom applied tourniquet above bite and brought the boy to ER.  He has received conventional anti-venom therapy.  However, he is still in extreme pain in the area of the bite, and the tissue damage has not been controlled.  He has had three surgical debridements, and is still at risk of amputation.  There is no current infection and no serious neurologic, heart, lung or kidney pathologies.

Does anyone have any successful experience treating rattlesnake bites with natural or alternative therapies?  If so, circumstances and timing may not help this unfortunate child, but can we offer anything here?


Colleen Huber, NMD
Naturopathic Oncologist (FNORI)



Anne Van Couvering
Message 2 of 8 , Jun 2
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Hey ozone docs - would ozone be helpful?  I'm thinking limb bagging.  or HBOT?

You might want to contact Steven Buhner of herbal fame, he lives in rattlesnake country and might have some good ideas if the good docs here do not.


Anne Van Couvering, ND, LMT, CNS
Watermill, NY



Jeff Hanson
Message 3 of 8 , Jun 2
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Colleen....I have treated a few chronic recluse spider bites with ozone injections and ozone salve. It worked great to neutralize the poison which can stay in tissue for years apparently. The ozone worked well, cleared up pain and tissue damage.
Jeff Hanson
South Lake Tahoe, CA



Torrey Smith ND, LLC
Message 4 of 8 , Jun 2
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hi Colleen, i have treated some very inflamed brown recluse bites with Hepar sulph 12c 3 x day and coptis purge fire 3 tabs 4 x day by health concerns with topical resinall K liquid by health concerns 2-4 x day. not sure if similar but might help the temper the hyper immune response.
torrey smith nd
anchorage ,ak



Colleen Huber, NMD
Message 5 of 8 , Jun 3
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Thank you so much, Anne, Jeff and Torrey.  The family is very frightened and resistant, but they have started to consider your thoughts on this, and right now the boy still has both legs.   Thank you!!

Colleen Huber, NMD
Naturopathic Oncologist (FNORI)



Dan Carter
Message 6 of 8 , Jun 3
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I would also consider IV vitamin C. Cathcart treated several cases of envenomation and Thomas Levy claims that IVC is useful as well.

Dan Carter ND
Bozeman MT




Jill Evenson, ND
Message 7 of 8 , Jun 3
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This is also regarding brown recluse but similar neurotoxin spread and necrosis patterns.

I've used topical poultices out of Thrash & Thrash. They have very effective drawing poultices.
Specifically I used a flax-green clay poultice on a recluse bite on the cervical spine that was ulcerating and causing brain stem debility. We watched the outer, red indurated area shrink with each poultice change and the ulcer started granulating. Keep area covered with plastic to keep it slightly moist. Also wrap with wool to keep the area warm and perfused. Change poultice every 4-6 hours. Patients may need to continue for weeks to stay ahead of the venom.

Jill Evenson, ND
Wisconsin



Eric Yarnell
Message 8 of 8 , Jun 3
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Topical and oral Echinacea angustifolia (Ech. purpurea won’t work). It inhibits the enzymes in the venom and have had experience with one case of it helping in a rattlesnake bite. Use tons (keep the area wet with the Echinacea tincture and take 1 tsp orally every 2 h for a couple of days).



Eric Yarnell, ND, RH(AHG)
Seattle, WA