Micah Jonah
February 4, 2026
Medical experts have warned that tying the leg or arm after a snakebite, a practice still common in many Nigerian communities, significantly reduces a victim’s chances of survival.
According to health professionals, the use of tight tourniquets, ropes or cloth to restrict blood flow can worsen tissue damage, increase the risk of infection and delay proper medical treatment. They note that while the method is often believed to stop venom from spreading, it can instead cause severe complications, including limb loss.
Experts explain that venom does not move through the body in the way many people assume and that cutting off blood circulation may trap venom in one area, leading to extensive local damage. In some cases, the sudden release of a tied limb can also cause a rapid spread of venom, worsening the patient’s condition.
They advise that the safest response to a snakebite is to keep the victim calm, and as still as possible, gently immobilize the affected limb without tying it tightly, seek immediate medical care where antivenom can be administered by professionals.
Health authorities have repeatedly called for increased public awareness on correct snakebite response, especially in rural areas where encounters with snakes are more frequent. They stress that early hospital treatment remains the most effective way to prevent avoidable deaths and long term injuries from snakebites.
