Scorpions, Spiders & Snakes Oh My!
Section 1 - Scorpions: Little critters with big stings
Scorpions occur naturally in south, west and northern parts of Africa; north, central and south America; India and the Caribbean. Here in north America the "unpleasant ones" are typically found in Arizona (such as pictured above), New Mexico and on the California-side of the Colorado River. Other north American species are considered to be fairly harmless.
Researchers say that in Mexico an average of 1,000 2,000 death-a-year result from scorpion stings. They add, however, that these pesky little critters can travel anywhere in the world simply by stowing away in a piece of cargo being transported by ship.
How to avoid stings
Scorpions by their very nature are nocturnal animals meaning they normally only come night. Otherwise they often hide in dark cracks and vegetation. Experts add the following suggestions to avoid being stung:
In areas where scorpions are known to reside, they advise to watch out for dark hiding places indoors such as cupboards, under bed covers and inside shoes. They recommend checking under bed covers (and under the bed itself) as well as shaking out shoes prior to wearing them.
In some countries, it is popular to "play" with a scorpion. One word: DON'T.
A scorpion stings with a poisoned hook on it's tail. Use caution if you come upon a scorpion and stay clear of its tail.
Treatment of a Scorpion sting
Sometimes regardless of how careful we attempt to be an accident happens and you (or a loved one) gets stung. Here is what doctor's recommend if the unthinkable happens.
When a sting occurs, pain at the sting site can sometimes be limited by applying an ice cube. In more severe cases pain-killing injections may be required and, in that case, the patient needs to be taken to their physician or near-by Emergency Room (ER) as soon as possible.
Although not seen in all victims of a scorpion sting, some patients may present more marked symptoms such as malaise, nausea, heart palpitations (where the heart either skips a beat or beats with a rapid, irregular rhythm), rise in blood pressure (hypertension), increased salivation, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea need to be treated in a similar fashion to a snake bite and the patient should be immediately transported to the hospital preferably by trained EMS personnel.
Anaphalactic shock a severe allergic in scorpion sting victims is life-threatening and requires immediate EMS intervention is the patient is to survive. Symptoms of anaphalactic shock include: altered state of consciousness and/or complete loss of consciousness, convulsions and rapid drop in blood pressure (hypotension). In addition, persons suffering from an Anaphalactic reaction may also experience shortness of breath, flushing of the skin and hives or generalized swelling or edema.
Section 2 Spiders: Arachnophobia Revisited?
A few years back there was a popular movie entitled "Arachnophobia" and it was about spiders that over-run a small community. While that kind of fear is not called for in real life, a healthy respect for some spiders can save you unnecessary pain and discomfort. Scientist say there are several species that humans should exercise caution around:
The Australian Sydney funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus) which is often found in damp cellars, toilets and at swimming pools. As its name suggests, this spider is native to the United Kingdom particularly in New South Wales.
The North American "Brown Recluse" (Loxosceles reclusa)Spiders in the "widow" group (for example: Black Widow or Lactrodectus)
The South American "Banana Spider" (Phoneutria Nigriventer)
The Tarantula lives in South American as well as Mediterranean countries whereas its very hairy (emphasis added) big brother the "bird spider" lives only in the Amazon. Despite their significant or even enormous and fear-inducing appearance, the bite of a Tarantula are only directly dangerous to humans under particularly unfavorable conditions (such as an Anaphalactic or allergic reaction mentioned earlier).
How can I prevent spider bites?
Experts say the best protection against spider bites is vigilance.1 Explained a researcher at Ohio State University: "I and my assistants have handled thousands of living spiders in the first five years of the Ohio Spider Survey, yet none of us have ever been bitten." The researcher went on to explain that the reason neither he or she (or any of the other researchers) has been bitten is because they pay attention to the spiders. This is what causes most if not all occurrences of spider bites the person was simply unaware of the spider just prior to the bite occurring. By their very nature, few spiders are truly aggressive and most will retreat given the opportunity. According to the researchers conducting the Ohio Spider Survey most bites occur when a human invades the spider's space. For example, some bites occur after a person places their hand(s) in a pair of garden or household gloves that hasn't been used recently and has become home for a spider. In others cases and this is particularly true of some recluse and widow bites the bite occurred after a person unwittingly reached into or bumped the web thereby stimulating an attack.
Ouch. . .I think I've been bitten!
Despite our best efforts to avoid them, at some point most of us will be bitten by a spider. In most cases (and with most people) a bite would amount to nothing more than a minor aggravation; there are some, however, where the bite could prove more serious: 1) Children younger than six (6) years-old as well as adults over age sixty (60), 2) Persons suffering from cardiovascular disease, and 3) Persons with a marked tendency toward allergy reaction (anaphalactic shock). In principle bites from a truly poisonous spider (such as a Recluse or a Widow) should be treated like a snake bite and a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. In addition, it's advisable if at all possible to kill the spider and taken along to the doctor (or hospital) for identification purposes.
Although far less research has been done on spider venom (as compared with snake venom) it has been determined that the venom of spiders in the "widow" family (Lactrodectus sp.) can disturb the electrical impulses from the nerves to muscles thereby causing paralysis. Likewise, the venom of the recluse family (Loxosceles reclusa sp.) causes tissue damage and tissue death (necrosis). Medical experts warn to be on the look-out for the following signs following a spider bite:
A stinging or slightly smarting pain is often felt at the site of the bite. This pain can also be a burning sensation and severe. As strange as it sounds, patients experience no immediate pain but have it onset thirty (30) to sixty (60) minutes later. Persons bitten by a spider may also experience bleeding under the skin as well as feeling a convulsive sensation in the muscles.
Other generalized symptoms such as anxiety, a sensation of weakness, sweating, headache, dizziness, swelling around the eyes, skin rash, respiratory distress, nausea, increased salivation and vomiting are all possible as a result of a spider bite.
A spider bite may also result in difficulty in maintaining muscle control and convulsions. In the worst cases usually seen with victims suffering an anaphalactic reaction this can also affect the muscles responsible for swallowing and breathing. This is a dire medical emergency and the victim needs IMMEDIATE medical care!
Treatment of spider bites
By far the best treatment for a person bitten by a spider is transport preferably by trained Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel to the nearest hospital or trauma center. Medical experts say that while awaiting for help to arrive, ice being applied to the site of the bite may reduce pain. They warn, however, if the bite is suspected to have been caused by the recluse species of spider, to pack the ice to avoid causing further damage to the already injured tissue.
Section 3 Snakes: watch where you step!
Snakes can be found in most parts of the world, however, it's estimated that only around fifteen percent (15%) of the three thousand (3,000) or so different types of poisonous snakes that exist are regarded as posing a potential threat to humans. Most of these are found in: 1) Tropical and sub-tropical regions; 2) across most of the United States (except for Alaska, Maine and Hawaii); and 3) Australia. Experts on snakes say that despite the many stories about constrictors particularly Anacondas in the Amazon and Pythons in the East which are rumored to have strangled adult humans, these stories need to be treated with a great dose of skepticism.
How do I avoid being bitten by a snake?
Avoidance of getting bitten by a snake boils down to common sense when in areas habitated by snakes and especially when handling snake(s). Experts offer the following tips:
In overgrown or heavily wooded areas, wear trousers and long boots.
Make noise (or, more specifically, vibrations in the surroundings snakes are deaf, but react to 'shaking'). The experts recommend beating and bashing with a long branch in the area three (3) to five (5) paces ahead and then waiting for a short time prior to taking your next step. Most snakes will flee (from humans) given the chance the only exception being uncontrollably aggressive Australian Taipan which tend to strike unpredictably. They also advise using EXTREME CAUTION if you encounter a Puff Adder. They advise to sneak away while causing as little noise as possible.
Avoid going out in areas known to be habitated by snakes during the night-time. If you find it necessary to go outside after dark, carry a strong light or hand-lantern with you as snakes prefer to evade bright light and vibrations.
If you see a snake, remain PERFECTLY STILL. Instinctively the snake will prefer to go away plus most snakes predominantly attack moving targets.
Use caution and don't place your hands down into a hole, dark crevice or cracks in rocks. If you drop something into such areas, attempt to fish it out with a stick while standing well away from the hole or opening. Creepy-crawlies other than snakes may also be poisonous and move with lightning speed.The best advice is not to touch a snake in the wild. If you see a 'dead' snake, keep well clear of it as many people have been bitten two (2) or three (3) times by a snake that appears to be 'dead.'
What are the symptoms and danger signs of a snake bite?
The risk associated with a snake bite depends on many factors including: 1) The species and size of the snake; 2) The amount of venom injected; 3) The number of bites sustained; 4) The locations of the bites (bites in the head or on the body are more dangerous, however, bites typically occur on either the arms or legs); 5) The weight of the victim (most dangerous in children); 6) The overall health of the victim; and 7) Individual sensitivity to the venom.
Generally, symptoms of a snakebite either occur with a rapid onset or a later or delayed onset. Those include:
Symptoms with a rapid onset:
Local pain as well as swelling and discolorization around the wound site, however, it might not occur immediately after the bite occurs.
Generally within the first ten (10) to fifteen (15) minutes and, in some cases, up to a few hours after the bite occurs, generalized symptoms will begin to occur. Including a sense of anxiety, malaise (defined as a uneasiness, an "out of sorts" feeling, often the first indication of an infection or other disease), vomiting, headache, dizziness, intermittent sweating, muscle contractions and confusion. Let un-treated a snakebite patient might develop life-threatening symptoms including: respiratory distress, bleeding, heart failure and/or shock. The end result is unconsciousness and, eventually, death.
Symptoms with a delayed onset (six (6) to 24 hours after a bite occurs):
Local (around the wound site): increased and massive swelling of the entire arm or extremity involved even if the wound is located on the hand; Blistering and bleeding often occurs in the skin and just below it as well as in the muscles; Blood clots might also form in surrounding blood vessels. Medical experts also warn to be on the lookout for necrosis (tissue death) of the affected skin as well as connective tissues and muscles in the area affected by the bite.
General symptoms: Increased grogginess, vomiting, respiratory difficulties or distress, fever, falling blood pressure (hypotension) and shock, bleeding from the mucous membranes (eg: the gums), bloody vomit and stool (blood might also be present in the urine). As symptoms progress, a snakebite victim may also have disturbances of sensation and/or paralysis usually occurring first in the face and later progressing to involve the muscles involved with swallowing and breathing.
It should be noted that snake venom(s) can act on the human body in three (3) different and distinct ways:
Hemotoxins:
This type of venom causes the red blood cells to split (hemolsis) or it can affect the blood's ability to clot (coagulate). Hemotoxins can also cause organ degeneration and generalized tissue damage.2
The term Hemotoxin is somewhat of a misnomer since toxins that damage the blood also cause damage to other tissues as well.
Neurotoxins:
This type of venom can paralyze nerve transmission(s) to the muscles. In the worst case scenario, venom containing neurotoxins can paralyze the muscles utilized in swallowing and breathing resulting in death.3
Cardiotoxins:
This type of venom has a direct and harmful action on the heart and can result in circulatory failure and shock.
In discussing the various types of venom it should be noted that a number of other factors come into play as to the overall effect it will have on the victim of a snakebite. For this reason, the situation is often far more complex than noted above and there are often mixed reactions and symptoms.
First aid for snake bite(s)
DO NOT PANIC. Only a few poisonous snakes are really dangerous to humans. In addition, it has been shown that often no venom will be injected with the bite. It is estimated that venom is injected in only twenty percent (20%) to thirty percent (30%) of Rattlesnake bites and in fifty percent (50%) of bites from Coral snakes.
It's important to limit or preferably avoid all unnecessary movements of a person who has been bitten by a snake. This prevents any venom that was injected into the body from spreading.
If possible, wash the site of the bite quickly and carefully with clean (or boiled) water and soap.
If the snake involved was an Asian or African Spitting Cobra, the spittle must be washed away immediately from the eyes and mucus membranes to prevent it from being absorbed into the body.
It is important as with any illness, injury or trauma to keep the airway open andclear of mucus, vomit or blood.
Make sure that the victim is transported as quickly as possible to a doctor or hospital emergency room (ER). While enroute, if the person is suffering from nausea and vomiting, they should be made to sit up (if possible) or placed in the "recovery position" lying down. The "recovery position" is where a person is lying on their side to prevent vomit from going down into their airway and lungs.
2009 Walter Little, Jr. (for Helium.com)
1: Marion, Ohio State University (http://www.marion.ohio-state.edu/spiderweb/Preventin gSpiderBites.htm )
2: Wikipedia.com (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemotoxin )
3: Netdoctor.com (http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/travel/diseases/snakes_an d_snake_bites.htm )