What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Micrurus Tschudii Snake Bite
• Sechure Desert Coral Snake Bite
• Tschudi's Coral Snake Bite

What is Desert Coral Snake Bite? (Definition/Background Information)

• The desert coral snake (Micrurus tschudii) is a moderately venomous snake found in South America in the nations of Ecuador and Peru. The snake belongs to the Elapidae family that generally includes slender and swift moving snakes, of genus coral snakes (Micrurus) that form a large group of elegant and ‘mostly’ brightly colored and banded venomous reptiles. There are several subspecies of Micrurus tschudii
• The body of the snake is slender, and it has a small, rounded head and blunt snout. The head and neck of the snake are almost continuous (same size). The snake’s body is typically cylindrical and uniform in size. It has a very short tail that does not mimic the head, such as noted in some other coral snake species
• Like many colorful and glossy coral snakes, the desert coral snake is characterized by a black and red head. The snake pattern consists of moderately broad red rings separated by triads of three black and two white/yellow rings; the bands and rings have jagged edges. The snake’s tail may have alternating red, black, white/yellow bands. The snake may range in size from about a foot to nearly 3 feet in length
• The desert coral snake is terrestrial and generally feeds on small lizards (geckos) and other snakes, typically hunting during the day; it can also climb low-hanging trees and plants. The snake is found in tropical dry deciduous forest, dry tropical forest, and desert thorn scrub in coastal valleys and near waterbodies. The snake may be seen in altitudes of up to 4,800 feet (1,450 m)
• Like many coral snakes, the snake is typically solitary, docile, and tends to silently move away when disturbed. Desert Coral Snake Bites can rarely result in fatalities due to systemic envenomation (venom injection through a bite) in the absence of treatment. The potent myotoxic-neurotoxic venom released can cause systemic effects including significant muscle damage and respiratory distress
• The signs and symptoms of Desert Coral Snake Bite may include mild local effects at the bite site such as pain and swelling. As various body systems gets rapidly affected by the venom, it can result in widespread symptoms including nausea, diarrhea, convulsions, dizziness, flaccid paralysis, and kidney failure
• Early administration of suitable antivenom (or antivenin) is the mainstay of treatment. Apart from this, symptomatic treatment is necessary, which may include pain medication, intravenous fluid administration, respiratory support, and peritoneal dialysis, as needed. The prognosis of Desert Coral Snake Bite with prompt and effective therapy is usually good, but deaths have been reported without adequate treatment