I read with interest your article "Don't Be Scared Of Snakes" (The Argus, June 25).

This was shown to me after a weekend in the New Forest when my grown-up son inadvertently trod on and was bitten by an adder.

It would be helpful if your readers knew the correct procedure if such a thing happened to them.

If possible, immobilise the limb and go straight to the nearest A&E department of a hospital.

Do not cut the bite, try to suck out poison, put on any type of touniquet or apply ice (various suggestions we were given).

Reaction to the bite can take from 12 to 180 minutes. In our case the reaction set in about 20 minutes after the bite while on the way to the hospital and by the time we arrived at A&E my son was suffering shortness of breath and difficulty with sight (typical reactions).

Anti-venom is not given as a matter of course as it can have side effects. My son did have anti-venom and stayed in hospital for 48 hours, leaving on crutches with a badly swollen foot.

-Valerie Nutt, Ferring