What temperature range is typically suggested for hot water immersion to help denature venom proteins?
Answer
Around 110 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit (43 to 45 degrees Celsius)
Heat application is a recommended step after initial rinsing to provide pain relief by denaturing the proteins within the injected venom. For this process to be effective without causing thermal injury to the skin, the water must reach a specific high temperature. The recommended guideline involves immersing the affected area in hot water—as hot as the individual can tolerate without sustaining a burn—which corresponds to a range between 110 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit. This application should generally be maintained for a duration of about 20 to 45 minutes to ensure maximum protein denaturation and subsequent analgesic effect.
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