Tag Archives: North America

Deadly Diseases: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Posted by on March 8, 2012 Comments Off

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a deadly disease caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii.  It is primarily transmitted from infected ticks to people through a bite injury, and has a habitat range spanning both North and South America.  It has gone by the name Black Measles due to the appearance of the resulting rash.

Symptoms:

  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Muscle pain
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • A rash sometimes develops after the first few days on infection, but not always

Treatment for RMSF consists of antibiotics as soon as possible.  Hospitalization is often necessary.   Read more »

Dangerous Insects: Hornets

Posted by on January 12, 2012 Comments Off

Hornets have stingers which they use to both kill prey and defend their nests. These stings can be very painful to humans, significantly more than a bee sting.  Unlike bees, hornets can sting repeatedly; making them that much more unpleasant to deal with. Hornets are provided this benefit because their stingers are not barbed, such as those of bees.

A single hornet sting is not fatal, with the exception of anyone with an allergic reaction to the sting.  Multiple stings from non-European hornets can be fatal.  The stings of the Asian giant hornet is very poisonous and can even be fatal to those who are not allergic.

Image by William Warby

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Animals to Generally Avoid: The Gila Monster

Posted by on January 1, 2012 Comments Off

The Gila monster (Heloderma suspectrum), from the North American Southwest, is a large lizard with dark colored, textured skin distinguished by mottled pink coloring. Its usually 35 to 45 centimeters in length and has a thick, stumpy tail. Fortunately they are unlikely to bite unless harassed.  Beware its poisonous bite.

While the Gila monster does have a very poisonous bite, they do not move fast enough to be a threat to those that keep their wits about them and don’t unnecessarily harass gila monsters.

Their venom is created in their salivary glands.  A biting gila monster has a very strong bite, and one way to get them to let to is to submerge the biting lizard in water.  Their poison is usually not fatal, and while there are several neurotoxins in their venom, though they do not produce large amounts of venom.

Featured Photo by Russell Bernice

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Dangerous Insects: Asp Caterpillar

Posted by on December 27, 2011 Comments Off

The moths species Megalopyge opercularis goes by the common name southern flannel moth, pussy moth, and others.  In it’s larval caterpillar stage (when it frequently goes by the name Asp Caterpillar), it is covered in furry spines that contain venom.  This venom is very painful for people to come into contact with.  Symptoms of coming into contact with this venom can include but are not limited to:

  • Extreme pain
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Burning/swelling, sometimes only at the area of exposure but sometimes radiating up an exposed limb or outward from the area of contact
  • Difficulty breathing

The asp caterpillar lives in parts of North America, specifically in the southern U.S. and Mexico.  Every year, a couple hundred people are poisoned by the asp caterpillar.  Once poisoned, it is recommended that the victim seek treatment within the next few hours.  You can remove any embedded spines by putting tape on the area of contact and pulling it off, removing the spines with the tape.  If you are poisoned by an asp caterpillar, seek out professional medical attention. Read more »

Killer Insects: The Tarantula

Posted by on December 21, 2011 Comments Off

Tarantulas (A group of related spiders under the family name Theraphosidae) can be found on every continent save Antarctica. While their large and frightening appearance can be startling, Tarantulas are mostly not a significant danger to people.

  • Tarantulas found in the New world (those indigenous to the Americas) have bites that pose very little threat to humans other than causing some pain in the area of the bite.
  • Tarantulas found in the Old world (particularly those indigenous to Asia), bite as both a defense mechanism and a method for catching prey. They are more likely to bite when provoked and are significantly less docile than new-world tarantulas. The venom old-world tarantulas is less well understood, and some early observations suggest that they are more potent than those of their new-world cousins.

There are reports of significant bites from Poecilotheria species of Tarantula, sometimes resulting in hospitalization of the patient. Indicators include both pain and swelling in the affected area, physical exhaustion, muscle cramping, difficulty breathing, and fever. In such situations, emergency medical assistance should be sought immediately.

Featured Photo by jcantroot

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Dangerous Reptiles: The Coral Snake

Posted by on December 20, 2011 Comments Off

Species of coal snakes can be found in both the New World (North and South America) and the Old World (Europe, Asia, and Africa), though only those from the New World are poisonous.  These New World coral snakes are among the most venomous snakes in North America.

Luckily, coral snakes generally prefer to live in places without a lot of people and avoid people if given the opportunity.  This will only bite as a last resort and will flee if you provide them with the space.

Leather shoes and clothing can be protective against coral snake bites because their fangs are relatively short and cannot penetrate through the thick leather to get to your skin.

If a coral snake does manage to land a bite on its victim, medical attention is an immediate medical necessity.  Coral snake venom possesses a strong neurotoxin that paralyzes the muscles you use to breathe, resulting in respiratory failure and death if left untreated.  Treatment requires anti-venom and artificial respiration for the patient in order to survive.

Indicators of a venomous coral snakebite:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Drooling
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Elevated, quick heartbeat

Unfortunately, anti-venom for coral snake bites can be hard to find as it is not terribly profitable for companies to make.  For for information on the coral snake anti-venom issue, check out this new story at naplesnews.com.

Hikers have a saying for spotting and avoiding coral snakes – “Red and Yellow, Kill a Fellow”

Featured Photo by elvissa

Disclaimer: The information in this post is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, emergency treatment or formal first-aid training. If you find yourself in a life-threatening/emergency medical situation, you should seek medical attention immediately. Read more »

Dangerous Reptiles: The Rattlesnake

Posted by on December 19, 2011 Comments Off

While North America may be free of many of the worlds deadliest and most poisonous animals on Earth, it does have its share of critters worth avoiding, such as rattlesnakes.  As their name suggests, rattlesnakes have a literal rattle at the end of their tails grows longer with each shedding of skin that they use to produce a rattling sound, often as a warning to perceived threats.  The rattlesnake is the top cause of snakebite injuries in North America and is responsible for a large percent of those in South America as well.  The rattlesnake is one of many species on the Americas and Asia that gets lumped into a group of snakes called “Pit Vipers.”

Rattlesnakes prefer to be left alone and don’t seek out confrontation with people.  Yet if a rattlesnake feels cornered or provoked, it will bite.  Should you encounter one, give it space and let it retreat or leave the area.

If someone is bitten by a rattlesnake, chances of survival are good with prompt medical treatment.  If the snakebite victim is treated with anti-venom within a few hours of the bite, survival is almost guaranteed.  The rattlesnake doesn’t inject its venom about 20% of the time.

For the other 80% of the time when the snake does inject venom, symptoms include:

  • Extreme pain
  • Swelling
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Sweating
  • Anxiety
  • Weakness
  • Internal bleeding
  • Eventual heart failure and death

If you or someone else is bitten by a rattlesnake:

  • Dial 911/seek immediate medical attention
  • Stay calm
  • Immobilize the bitten limb, stay quiet to help keep the poison from spreading through the body
  • Remove jewelry and restrictive clothing before swelling occurs
  • Position yourself (or the bitten party) so that the bite is at or below the level of the heart
  • Cleanse the wound, do not flush it with water.  Cover it with dry, clean dressing.
  • Apply a splint to lessen any movement of the affected area
  • Only under the condition that you are more than 1–2 hours away from a medical facility, place a lightly constricting band above the bitten spot to prevent the spread of the venom

Disclaimer: The information in this post is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, emergency treatment or formal first-aid training. If you find yourself in a life-threatening/emergency medical situation, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Featured Photo by rioncm

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First Aid for Treating an Allergic Reaction to Urushiol (Poison Oak, Ivy, or Sumac)

Posted by on December 19, 2011 Comments Off
poison ivy toxicodendron radicans

There are two phases for treating exposure to urushiol-induced contact dermatitis (such as the result of contact with poison oak, pioson ivy, or poison sumac):

  • As soon as possible, washing the contaminating urushiol off the area of exposure
  • Later, treating any resulting pain, blistering or rash that develops.

First you should thoroughly wash exposed areas of your body with soap and cool water as soon as you can.  If you do this soon enough after exposure, you can greatly reduce the amount of urushiol that bonds inside your skin and prevent or reduce the resulting rash.

Soap is necessary, water alone is not enough to wash it off because urushiol is an oil.

Hot showers and compresses can bring some relief for the itching for a few hours.  Note that should only be done once you are sure you have removed all of the urushiol from the affected areas.

Antihistamines or hydro-cortisone cream can be applied to lessen the symptoms of a rash.  The over-the-counter oral medication Benadryl is frequently used as well.

During the healing process, leave any blisters unbroken.

Featured Photo by slodocents

Disclaimer: The information in this post is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, emergency treatment or formal first-aid training. If you find yourself in a life-threatening/emergency medical situation, you should seek medical attention immediately.

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Urushiol: The Chemical Defense Weapon of Poison Oak, Ivy, and Sumac (And a Pain for You)

Posted by on December 19, 2011 Comments Off

There are several species in the toxicodendron genus of plants living in North America that can give you an itchy rash if you brush up against them.  They all produce a chemical called urushiol, which the plants use to protect themselves from threats.  Poison Oak, Poison Ivy, and Poison Sumac are all members of the toxicodendron genus of plants.  Other species of plants from the greater plant family anacardiaceae are known to produce urushiol, though those specifically from the toxicodendron genus seem to use this chemical the most.

Typically, there are 4 well-known types urushiol-producing plants to keep an eye out for while in the wild:

  • Poison Ivy
  • Poison Sumac
  • Pacific Poison Oak
  • Atlantic Poison Oak

Some hikers have memorable sayings to help remind them if they are unsure if a plant is one of these species:

  • “Berries white poisonous site”
  • “Leaves of 3, let it be”

It’s wise to wear long, protective clothing (including gloves) if you are going to be in an area with lots of these types of plants.  make sure to wash your clothing thoroughly after use, as urushiol adheres to almost anything it comes into contact with.

Exposure to any part of these plants can cause urushiol-induced contact dermatitis in a large percent of the population.  Some people won’t have any reaction to it, while others will have severe reactions, depending on the general health and qualities of the person and the amount of urushiol the person is exposed to.

Urushiol causes symptoms of severe itching, which turns into bumps and inflamed skin that blister when they are scratched.  A rash generally appears after about 24 hours after the exposure.  Repeated exposure to urushiol can lead to increased symptoms with each exposure due to urushiol’s effect being allergic in nature.

For those with a severe reaction to urushiol, a prescription for prednisone (which suppresses the immune system and thus the allergic response causing the health risk) may be needed to cease damage to the skin through the course of the allergic reaction, which usually lasts a few weeks but can persist longer in these more severe cases.

Ingestion of urushiol, either through the leaves or through inhalation of burning plant matter, is more dangerous than just skin contact.  Any time urushiol makes contact with a mucous membrane (such as in the eyes, nose, mouth, or throat), extra precaution should be taken when dealing with the allergic response.

Scratching the rash can lead to a secondary infection, such as a Staph infection, in which case a prescription for a antibiotic may be necessary.

Should someone be crazy enough to try it, they could deliberately plant these species of urushiol-producers as a deterrent to keep people out of a designated area. While most animals suffer no negative effects from exposure urushirol, most people sure do. Strategically planted, these plants could make for an effective area denial tool.

Featured Photo by elizawbarrett

Disclaimer: The information in this post is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, emergency treatment or formal first-aid training. If you find yourself in a life-threatening/emergency medical situation, you should seek medical attention immediately. Read more »

Alligators vs. Crocodiles: Whats the Difference?

Posted by on November 20, 2011 Comments Off

Freaky albino alligator

For a long time, I had no idea regarding the differences between alligators and a crocodiles.  The recently I remembered I had internet access and decided to do some sleuthing.  Turns out, they’re actually two different species!  Crazy right?

Here’s some other stuff I was previously ignorant of -

  1. Alligators and crocodiles only share one habitat on the planet: Southern Florida.
  2. Alligators have wider, shorter U-shaped snouts, crocodiles have V-shaped snouts.
  3. Alligators have a strong preference for freshwater, and crocodiles can better tolerate seawater than alligators because of specialized glands which can filter out salt.  Both can survive in either, though.
  4. Although alligators are fearsome predators and very dangerous, crocodiles are considered more actively aggressive. Larger crocodiles are all to happy to prey on people, while alligators are not inclined to do so.  Alligators will still attack if provoked.  Still, crocodiles seem to be much more prone to actually attacking people.  It’s much easier to find stories of croc attacks, as displayed by the following new stories:

Featured Photo by Edgar Zuniga Jr.
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