Antivenom

Antivenom should never be injected directly into the bitten area. Local administration at the site of the snakebite is not recommended because it is extremely painful, may increase intracompartmental pressure, and has not been proven effective. Injecting antivenom into the fang marks or the surrounding tissue can be hazardous, especially in tight compartments like fingers or toes, and may lead to complications such as increased swelling or tissue damage.

The preferred route of administration for antivenom is intravenous (IV), which allows for rapid distribution and higher bioavailability of neutralizing antibodies. Intravenous administration is considered the method of choice whenever professional medical care is available. In cases where IV access cannot be obtained or the patient cannot be transported to a medical facility promptly, intramuscular (IM) administration may be used as an alternative. If given intramuscularly, antivenom should be injected into a large muscle mass, such as the anterolateral aspect of the thigh, avoiding the gluteal region to reduce the risk of nerve damage.

In summary, antivenom should not be injected into the bitten area itself. Instead, it should be administered intravenously when possible, or intramuscularly into a large muscle group if IV access is not feasible.