BENTON COUNTY DAILY RECORD (Bentonville, Arkansas) 28 March 05 Treating and avoiding snake bites this spring
Little Rock: Last year nearly 8,000 people received poisonous snake bites in the United States. Even the bite of a so-called "harmless" non-poisonous snake can cause an infection or an allergic reaction in some people. Everyone who frequents wilderness areas, camps, hikes, picnics or lives in a snakeinhabited area should be aware of the potential danger posed by venomous snakes.
There are six species of venomous snakes that occur naturally in Arkansas. They are the Southern Copperhead, Texas Coral Snake, Western Cottonmouth Water Moccasin, Western Pigmy Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake and Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.
While each individual may experience symptoms differently, the most common symptoms of poisonous snakes bites are bloody wound discharge, fang marks on the skin along with swelling at the site of the bite, severe localized pain, diarrhea, convulsions, fainting, dizziness, weakness, blurred vision, excessive sweating, fever, increased thirst, loss of muscle coordination, nausea and vomiting, rapid pulse, numbness and tingling. "If someone is bitten by a snake responding quickly is critical," explains Jerril Green, M. D., a physician in critical care medicine at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and assistant professor of pediatric medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine. "While waiting for medical assistance you should wash the bite with soap and water, immobilize the bitten area and keep it lower than the heart, cover the area with a clean, cool compress or a moist dressing to minimize swelling and discomfort and monitor vital signs."
If a victim is unable to reach medical care within thirty minutes, Dr. Green recommends applying a bandage. It should be wrapped two to four inches above the bite in order to help slow the venom. The bandage should not cut off the flow of blood from a vein or artery. It should be loose enough to slip a finger under. If one is available, a suction device can be placed over the bite to help draw venom out of the wound. This should be done without making any cuts. These devices are often included in commercial snake bite kits.
Most often physicians use antivenin -- an antidote to snake venom — to treat serious snake bites. Antivenin is derived from antibodies created in a horse’s blood serum when the animal is injected with snake venom. Because antivenin is obtained from horses, snake bite victims sensitive to horse products must be carefully monitored. Some bites, such as those inflected when you accidentally step on a snake in the woods, are impossible to prevent. However, there are precautions that can reduce your chances of being bitten by a snake. These include:
• Leave snakes alone. Many people are bitten because they try to kill a snake or get too close to it. • Stay out of tall grass unless you wear thick leather boots and remain on hiking trails as much as possible.
• Keep hands and feet out of areas you cannot see. Do not pick up rocks or firewood unless you are out of a snake’s striking distance.
• Be cautious and alert when climbing rocks. "In the event of a snake bite, the bottom line is, don’t panic and get emergency medical care as soon as possible," adds Dr. Green.
Treating and avoiding snake bites this spring