Cases of bite by common viper (Vipera berus) are rare on the territory of Poland, and the mortality after bites is less than 1%. This paper describes a case of 81-year-old patient with massive swelling, redness and soreness of the right hand, which occurred shortly after the adder bite. In this paper we present composition and mechanisms of the venom's action, clinical symptoms and treatment of poisoning after a snake bite. Based on the reported case authors draw attention to hospital treatment and indications for administration of antivenom as the only causative method of treatment.