Envenomation is caused when a venomous creature bites or stings another creature to inject venom.

Signs and symptoms

These vary depending on the type creature that injected the venom.

First aid

Pressure Immobilisation Technique (PIT)

A simple pressure bandage over the bitten area and immobilisation of the limb slows the flow of the venom through the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of tubes that drains fluid (lymph) from the body’s tissues and empties it back into the bloodstream. Venom may produce pain and/or tissue damage.
Bandaging the wound firmly, tends to squash the nearby lymph vessels which helps to prevent the venom from leaving the puncture site. If you don’t have any bandages at hand, use whatever is available, including clothing, stockings or towels. Firmly bandage the wound but not tight enough to cause numbness, tingling or any colour change to the extremities.
PIT is useful for some bites and stings, but not all.

PIT IS RECOMMENDED for bites and stings by the following creatures:

• All Australian venomous snakes, including sea snakes;

• Funnel web spider;

• Blue ringed octopus;

• Cone shell.

PIT IS NOT RECOMMENDED for bites and stings by the following creatures:

• Other spiders including redback spider;

• Jellyfish stings;

• Fish stings including stone fish;

• Bites or stings by bees, wasps, ticks, ants, scorpions, centipedes or beetles.

Advice on all types of envenomation is available from:

• Australian Venom Research Unit: avru.org

• Poisons Information Centre on: 13 11 26

• Australian Resuscitation Council: resus.org.au