Rattlesnake Bites On The Rise In California

CALIFORNIA -- Poison control officials this week issued a warning to Californians after seeing a recent spike in rattlesnake bite calls. The California Poison Control System said it received about 20 calls in recent weeks.

Officials warned that rattlesnakes are more likely to come out in warm weather on hiking trails and rural areas. Most reported bites happened between the months of April and October.

California typically receives about 300 reports of rattlesnake bites each year. Officials warned that "even baby rattlesnakes possess dangerous venom as soon as they hatch."

A rattlesnake bite can produce painful swelling, bruising, tissue destruction, bleeding problems and, in rare cases, can be fatal, poison control officials said.

“If you are bitten by a rattlesnake, immediate medical attention is critical,” Cyrus Rangan, assistant medical director for the California Poison Control System, said. “Severe or even life-threatening symptoms may occur within minutes after the bite, or in other cases may begin after couple of hours. In either event, your best bet is to get to a hospital as soon as you can.”

The agency offered the following tips to avoid a rattlesnake bite:

• Wear boots and long pants when hiking.
• Stay on trails when hiking, away from underbrush and tall weeds.
• Do not touch or disturb a snake, even if it appears dead.
• Carefully inspect logs or rocks before sitting on them.
• Never hike alone in remote areas. Always have someone with you who can assist in an emergency.
• Teach children to respect snakes and to leave them alone.

If a rattlesnake does bite you, you should get immediate medical attention. Officials also said "do not apply ice, do not use a tourniquet or constricting band, do not try to suck out the venom, and do not use any device to cut or slice the bite site."

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