Posts filed under ‘Outdoor Safety’
10 Myths About Outdoor Medicine – Debunked
By Paul Auerbach, M.D.
There are many myths related to outdoor medicine. These need to be “debunked,” so that people do not fall prey to outdated and useless techniques. Here are some of the most common myths (in italix):
1. Mechanical suction, electric shock, and immersion in ice water are effective first aid (“field”) therapies for snakebite. In truth, these are not only not helpful, they may be quite harmful. Antivenom therapy is the only therapy that has been proven effective, with the possible exception of pressure immobilization for certain elapid (e.g., coral) snake bites.
2. Urinating on a jellyfish sting is an effective method to reduce pain. This is of very limited value. Some persons will cite that it was helpful in their particular case, but at least as many persons will state that it did not diminish the pain. The most effective therapy is decontamination with a specific topical compound, such as vinegar or ammonia. The decontaminant chosen depends upon the species of stinging jellyfish. (more…)
Copperhead Snakebites
By Paul Auerbach, M.D.
The journal Annals of Emergency Medicine publishes abstracts each year of presentations delivered at the American College of Emergency Physicians Annual Scientific Assembly, which in 2009 was held on Boston. The reference is Annals of Emergency Medicine Volume 54, Number 3, September 2009. There were a few abstracts related to outdoor medicine. Two of these were related to copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) snakebites.
The first abstract, by BW Anderson et al, was entitled “Coagulopathy in Pediatric Copperhead Snakebites.” In this study, the investigators sought to determine the incidence of coagulopathy (bleeding disorder in which blood clotting is altered, generally manifested by increased propensity to bleed) in copperhead bites affecting children. This study was done by reviewing charts of children bitten by venomous snakes and treated at St. Louis Children’s Hospital over a 15 year period. (more…)
Spider Season: The Brown Recluse
The Brown Recluse Spider
By Clifton Castleman, WEMT
What Do They Look Like?
Named for its habit of hiding in dark corners, the brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) is also known as the violin spider or fiddleback spider because of a violin-shaped marking. The brown recluse spider is about a half-inch long (including legs) and is a solid light brown color. The violin marking is configured with the base of the violin beginning at the eyes and the neck of the violin pointing toward the “waist.” The violin marking is difficult to see clearly.
Brown Recluse spider
Two other features can help identify the brown recluse: it has six eyes rather than the typical eight and the tail-end segment has no markings. If you see a brown spider with markings on the tail end, it cannot be a brown recluse spider. Any markings, patterns or spots on the tail end of a spider immediately eliminates the possibility that it is a brown recluse spider. It is, instead, one of dozens of brown spiders that live in houses and yards. They may bite, but they are not dangerous.
Where Do They Live?
Spider experts across the US agree that the true brown recluse spider is native to Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Mississippi. There are many related species found in virtually all other states however, and have been spotted everywhere from the colder states like Maine and Vermont, to the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, but not in Northern California, Oregon and Washington states.
In any case, the brown recluse is called a “recluse” because it hides and is not commonly found out in the open. The brown recluse will hide in dark, moist, quiet, out-of-the-way areas where it will not easily be disturbed.
What If I’m Bitten?
In most cases of bites from these spiders, there is pain or burning at the bite site in the first 10 minutes. The bite from this group is usually described as looking like a “target” or “bull’s-eye.” The center of the wound is usually a blister surrounded by a reddened area. A pale or blanched area may surround the discolored reddened area. The blister may rupture, leaving an open ulcer. In severe cases the ulcer can become deep and infected causing tissue breakdown or tissue death (necrosis).
Worsening pain, itching and a burning sensation develop. A patient may also have symptoms such as a red, itchy rash over the torso, arms and legs that is usually seen in the first 24-72 hours. Patients may have pain in the muscles and joints, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, and nausea and vomiting.
Due to the necrotic nature of the brown recluse spider’s venom, a bite usually causes some pain or burning in the first 10 minutes, accompanied by itching. The wound takes on a bull’s-eye appearance, with a center blister surrounded by an angry-looking red ring and then a blanched (white) ring.
The blister breaks open, leaving an ulcer that scabs over. The ulcer can enlarge and involve underlying skin and muscle tissue which may grow for days – even with IV medications. Pain may be severe. A generalized red, itchy rash usually appears in the first 24-48 hours. Other symptoms include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches and hemolytic anemia (a condition where the red blood cells are destroyed).
People bitten by an unseen spider sometimes blame the brown recluse spider because their bite resembles a brown recluse spider bite. However, there are a number of other spiders and insects, as well as other medical conditions, that are capable of producing tissue wounds of similar appearance, but these are usually of a lesser severity.
What Is The Treatment?
Treatment consists of washing the wound and applying an antibiotic ointment. The victim should seek medical attention if there are signs of an infection, an ulcer that does not heal, a bite accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever or a rash. There is no special treatment or medication used to treat a brown recluse spider bite. If infection develops, antibiotics are used. If a wound becomes deep and infected, occasionally surgery is needed. Anytime there is a bite or a wound that is not healing and getting worse, see a physician for evaluation.
While most spider bites are not dangerous, there is a group of spiders that can produce bite wounds that look similar to a brown recluse spider bite. Unless the spider was actually seen, captured and brought to the physician, the brown recluse spider is not likely to be the culprit. Some of the spiders in this group that can cause a nasty bite include the running spider, jumping spider, wolf spider, sac spider, orbweaver spider and the brown spider, also known as the hobo spider.
Frequently, when people with spider bites call Poison Control (800-222-1222) they think there is some special treatment that is necessary for their bite. There is no specialized therapy other than treating the symptoms. Most importantly, keep the wound clean to prevent infection. If the wound does not heal or does develop an infection, see your physician. Do not wait days and weeks while the wound continues to get worse.
There are tales of people having limbs amputated after spider bites. These involve people who refused to see a physician even though they had massive wounds that did not heal and became grossly infected. A wound that may have been originally treated with simple oral antibiotics, but left untreated, may require surgical intervention in extreme cases.
What Else Causes Similar Symptoms?
Kissing bugs, fleas, bed bugs, flies, mites, wasps, ants and blister beetles have produced lesions similar to a brown recluse spider bite. Many skin disorders and medical conditions can produce lesions that can also mimic a brown recluse spider bite. Some of these include infected herpes outbreaks, bedsores, diabetic ulcers, poison ivy/oak and Lyme disease. Again, use common sense: If there is a wound that is not healing as expected or getting worse, see a physician.
Excessive Heat Warnings – What to do?
|
Sustained high temperatures can be harmful to your health. Emergency management officials and health experts recommend the following steps to avoid heat-related medical emergencies. Tips to Staying CoolSlow down. When possible, avoid strenuous activities. If strenuous activity is unavoidable, try to do it during the coolest part of the day, usually between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. Outdoor businesses could consider changing business hours during the summer. Work smarter. Take frequent breaks when working outdoors. When working in extreme heat, use the buddy system – partners can keep an eye on each other and assist one another when needed. Remain hydrated. Drink plenty of water regularly and often, even if you are not thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increases metabolic heat. Dress for the weather. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Use sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat if you must be out in the sun. Stay indoors as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Also, during periods of excessive heat, the public is reminded that air-conditioned facilities operated by Loudoun County, such as community centers and libraries, are available during normal business hours as places where people can seek refuge from the excessive heat. Electric fans might not cool the air, but they can help sweat evaporate, which cools your body. Heat-Related Medical ConditionsSummer temperatures in Virginia normally climb into the upper 90s and even reach over 100 degrees at times. People can suffer ill health effects when their body temperature control system is on overload. A person’s body temperature can shoot up when normal sweating cannot cool it quickly enough in extreme heat. Damage to the brain or other vital organs can result from very high body temperatures. Summer sun can also present a health challenge. To protect yourself from skin cancer, remember to use sunscreen, seek shade, and wear sunglasses, a hat, and sun-protective clothing. Use a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, of 15 or higher. As sunscreen wears off, reapply if you stay out in the sun for more than two hours and after you swim or do things that make you sweat. Failure to protect yourself from the sun can result in sunburn with symptoms of redness and pain, and in severe cases, swelling. Information courtesy of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Virginia Department of Health. Online Resources
|
5 Easy Ways to Stay Cool This Summer
What better way to spend the summer than in the great outdoors – unless of course, it’s over 90°! If you have to be outside in the summertime heat; especially this week on the East Coast, where temperatures are supposed to hover near the 100° F mark, there are 5 simple things you can do to help you stay cooler.
- Yes, this is common sense, but… Drink plenty of water! Juices (sugar), caffeine, and alcohol all slow down the body’s absorption of water into the bloodstream and can actually dehydrate you!
- Dress for the weather. Wear light-colored and lightweight clothing to reflect heat when outdoors.
- Eat for the season! Eat more foods which contain a higher water content like salads, watermelon and cantaloupe and less heavy protein foods.
- Add spice. Believe it or not, eating spicy foods like hot peppers, fresh ginger and black pepper will help lower your body’s temperature through sweating. Don’t forget to stay hydrated too!
- Take it easy and slow down. Limit your strenuous activities to early or late in the day. Be sure to take plenty of breaks if you have to be outside and seek the shade or air conditioning when possible.
According to NOAA, when “the heat index is between 90° and 104°, sunstroke, heat cramps or heat exhaustion are possible with prolonged exposure and physical activity. When the index is between 105° F and 129° sunstroke, heat cramps, or heat exhaustion is likely and heatstroke is possible. Heat indices of 130° or higher will result in heatstroke or sunstroke quickly.” Remember that when you are in full sun, the heat index can increase up to 15° F. Shade is certainly your friend!
—————————————
Be sure to stock up on your first aid hydration supplies (ORS, Vitalyte, Electrolytes and more)!
