A typical tiger snake bite is felt, is locally painful and often there is local redness, swelling, and bruising at the bite site. Occasionally there is a small area of skin damage. Fang puncture or scratch marks are usually visible to the naked eye. In children early collapse and grand mal convulsions may occur. Draining lymph nodes may be tender.
Paralysis is a common feature of tiger snake bites.
The earliest sign is usually ptosis, which develops from 1 to several hours after the bite. It may be followed by progressive paralysis of ocular, facial, peripheral and glossopharyngeal muscles, the latter imperilling the airway. Full paralysis of respiratory muscles may eventually develop, if no antivenom is given. Presynaptic paralysis by this venom is not reversed by antivenom, therefore it is essential that early signs of paralysis be noted and antivenom given then, prior to development of major paralysis. Severe myolysis can occur with tiger snake bites, particularly if treatment is delayed or inadequate.