Small Town News

Bite victims on the rise

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City worker bitten by copperhead

The number of people treated for snakebites at county emergency rooms has jumped from last year, according to an East Texas Medical Center spokeswoman.

Don Gordon can feel meir pain - literally.

The City of Malakoff employee was bitten on the right pinky by a copperhead Monday while reading a water meter at the Athens Cafe.

Malakoff Public Works Director Tim Whitley said Gordon was in ETMC Athens as of press time, but was recovering.

"He reached down in mere and was brushing me leaves away and the snake got him," Whitley said.

Toni Garrard Clay, a spokeswoman for EMTC, said from March 1 until this week, the ETMC Athens emergency room has treated 13 people for snakebites. That is up from nine for me same time period last year.

The ETMC Gun Barrel City emergency room has seen nine snakebites, up from seven last year.

Overall, that's a 32 percent increase.

Henderson County Extension Agent Rick Hirsch said snakes and other pests are more likely to venture into developed areas as it gets hotter and drier.

"It gets hot and me water dries up, and then people start watering their lawns," he said. "The critters come to the water."

How can you avoid getting bitten? According to die Texas Parks and Wildlife website, "The best defense against venomous snakes is avoidance."

Stay away from areas mice and rodents - a snake's favorite meal - might like trash, brush, rock piles, lumber piles, stone walls, and grassy and brushy areas.

When outside, always look where you step; if you know you are going into an area snakes would like make sure to wear boots, thick jeans and gloves. Carry a stick with you to beat the brush and the ground.

If you are bitten, get away from the snake to avoid getting bitten a second time and have someone take you to the emergency room as quickly as possible. If possible call ahead to the medical center so the antivenom can be ready when the victim arrives.

According to the Texas Department of Health Services (DHS), some of the common symptoms of a snake bite include: blurred vision, convulsions, dizziness, excessive sweating, fainting, fang marks, fever, increased salivation, localized pain and burning, muscle contractions, muscle incoordination, nausea and vomiting, numbness and tingling, rapid pulse rate, skin discoloration, swelling in the bite area, thirst, tissue death, and weakness.

The DHS also offers the following advice:

- Move the victim safely away from the snake. If you see the snake, try to remember what it looks like or take a digital picture of it if you can do so without putting yourself at risk. This will aid the doctor in determining which antivenin is needed.

Do not attempt to capture the snake; however if the snake is dead, place it in a suitable container and bring it with you to the hospital for identification. Be careful to avoid contact with the dead snake's head however, as it may be able to bite re-flexively for a short time after death.

Keep the victim, and yourself, calm.

Remove jewelry or constricting clothing from the victim quickly, before any swelling begins.

Lift the bitten limb so that it is level with the heart. Raising it above heart level could hasten distribution of the venom to other parts of the body. Holding the limb below heart level could lead to increased swelling of the affected limb.

Limit movement of the bitten limb and avoid any unnecessary exertion by bringing transport to the victim, if possible.

Gently wash the bite wound with soap and water, if available.

Call 911 if available and seek medical attention immediately. If you are transporting the victim to a hospital, call ahead so that the medical staff can prepare the antivenin for administration upon arrival.

Do not attempt to suck venom from the bite wound.

Do not make cuts over the snakebite. This often leads to more tissue trauma and damage.

Do not apply a tourniquet or other constricting device.

Do not apply a cold pack or ice to the snakebite.

Do not apply an electrical shock to the snakebite.

Do not take pain reliever or other medications unless instructed to do so by a physician.

Do not drink alcoholic beverages.

Do not administer antivenom in the field. Treatment for snakebites is best conducted in an appropriate medical facility.



Copyright 2010 The Malakoff News, Malakoff, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 The Malakoff News Malakoff, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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