Warm temperatures bring rattlesnake encounters; nine victims in recent 24-hour period

 

PHOENIX (April 15, 2005) – The return of warm springtime temperatures in central Arizona is a perfect time for valley residents to be out enjoying the sun. Unfortunately, as some are discovering, a small group of the state's native residents are enjoying the outdoors at the same time.

Beginning this month, the state's 11 species of rattlesnake become much more active, moving to areas where they can soak up the sun. Other native wildlife – scorpions, bees and spiders – are also becoming active as the temperature rise.

 

As a result, the number of human-snake encounters is increasing. During March, the Banner Poison Control Center received eight calls for rattlesnake bites. In the first two weeks of April, the Poison Center received 16 calls, including nine between April 13-15.

With warmer temperatures upon us, the Banner Poison Control Center reminds residents to use extra caution and keep a watchful eye when walking, hiking or climbing in the desert and surrounding mountain parks. Homeowners living near these areas should also be aware of these desert dwellers.

"Rattlesnakes and scorpions are active all year in the low desert surrounding Phoenix, but April and May — and again in September — are when they are active throughout the day," said Steven Curry, M.D., medical director for the Dept. of Medical Toxicology at Banner Good Samaritan, which works closely with the Banner Poison Control Center. "During the hot summer months, the snakes avoid the midday heat and are more active at night."

Most bites occur when the victim chooses to disturb or handle the snake, so Dr. Curry recommends walking well away from a snake and avoiding it altogether.

If bitten, a victim will experience immediate pain or a burning sensation at the site of the bite. Victims may also experience a metallic or rubbery taste in the mouth, as well as weakness, sweating and/or chills, nausea and vomiting.

The Banner Poison Control Center offers the following tips in case of snakebite:

Victims of a snakebite should remain as calm as possible and seek immediate medical attention from a hospital emergency room, where they can be evaluated and, if needed, receive an antivenin.

"The bites are rarely fatal, but extremely painful," said Dr. Curry. "Even baby rattlesnakes are capable of a venomous bite immediately after birth."

Arizona is home to 56 species of scorpions, of which one – the bark scorpion – can cause serious complications. Unfortunately, the bark scorpion is found most frequently in and around houses in central Arizona.

Each year approximately 6,000 scorpion stings are reported to the Poison Center. According to Dr. Curry, most people experience painful but less than life-threatening symptoms from scorpion stings. However, children younger than 10 years old are more likely to develop severe symptoms if stung. The first symptoms seen in infants and children are uncontrollable crying; rapid, jittery eye movements; and increased salivation.

The female black widow spider has a large, black, shiny body with a bright red or orange-red hourglass shape on the abdomen. Black widow spider webs are very irregular, white in color and strong. They're most often found in areas where water and insects are readily available. Around the home, they can be found under outdoor furniture, barbecue grills, pool pumps, and in storage areas, garages, wood piles, blocks fences, and the corners of porches and patios.

The initial bite may feel like a pin prick, which may go unnoticed. At first, victims experience little or no visible signs of the bite such as swelling. A red circular mark may appear about six hours after the bite. The initial symptoms may be progressive aching sensations, with muscle pain at the bite site spreading to the lower back, thighs and limbs. Symptoms last as long as 36 hours and lingering effects may last for several weeks.

A recent invader is the Africanized honeybee, which has merged in with existing colonies of European honeybees. Individually, their sting is no different from ordinary bee stings, but Africanized bees tend to swarm more frequently. Arizonans should remember that bees are an important pollinator and vital to both the agricultural industry and your personal garden.

If you are bitten by a rattlesnake or black widow or stung by a scorpion or a bee, you may require additional medical care. Call the Banner Poison Control Center immediately to determine whether the bite or sting victim can be managed at home or will require treatment by a physician or hospitalization.

If you need poison help, the Banner Poison Control Center is just a phone call away and can be reached at (800) 222-1222. The center provides a free, 24-hour emergency telephone service for both residents and medical professionals of Maricopa County and parts of Pinal County. The Poison Center nurses provide information about poisonous substances, first aid information, treatment recommendations, drug identification and information, and a healthy dose of support and caring to all callers. Non-emergent information may also be obtained by e-mail: poisoncenter@bannerhealth.com.

The Poison Center's Office of Education, which can be reached at (602) 239-2345, also maintains an informative Web site that lists common and dangerous critters, plants and products that are often the cause of several childhood poisonings.

Families and individuals from throughout Maricopa County will gather at the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden at 7 a.m. Saturday, May 7, 2005, for the first-ever Critter Crawl Family Fun Walk to benefit the Banner Poison Control Center 24-Hour Hotline.