What Are the Treatments for Spitting Cobra Venom Poisoning?

There are various species of spitting cobras. Despite their varying color appearance, they do have one thing in common: When they "spit" their venom from their mouths, they are targeting their potential victim's eyes with amazing accuracy. The venom of spitting cobra contains a neurotoxin that causes pain and destruction of mucus membranes in the cornea. This is why it is essential to remove the venom from the victim's eye as quickly as possible.

Do Not Rub

• The most natural reaction to getting any foreign object in the eye is to rub. Don't do it if a cobra has spit venom in your eye. Rubbing will only increase the venom's contact with sensitive eye tissue.

Rinse With Water

• Large quantities of water being passed across the eye tissue in an irrigation-type method are advised to treat spitting cobra venom in the eye. If water is not readily available, other cold liquids can be used. These can include milk or beer but not soda.

Professional Attention

• While the first aid of flushing the eye with cold liquid is imperative to avoid significant eye damage that can include blindness, getting to a medical clinic as soon as possible is the best treatment. Depending on the locale, some doctors can use a diluted version of antivenom to eliminate the toxic substance from the eye and prevent further damage.