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The biting, stinging hazards of summer
ID, prevention and first aid tips
Objective: To be able to identify and avoid the hazards associated with poisonous plants, animals, reptiles,
and insects in Georgia and know how to administer first aid when necessary.
Background
Poison Ivy and Poison Oak
• Woody, rope-like vine, a trailing shrub on the ground or a free-standing shrub.
• Normally, three leaflets, but may vary from groups of three to nine. “Leaves of Three, Let it Be”
• Leaves are green in the summer and red in the fall.
• Oil can remain active for months on objects.
• Found mostly in moist, deciduous forest and wooded areas. Also found on trees, fences, and
ornamental plants in landscaping.
• All parts of the plant are toxic year 'round, but they are more dangerous in the spring and summer
when the oil content is the highest.
Figure 1 Poison Ivy
Figure 2 Poison Oak
Poison Sumac
• Small tree or large shrub with large attractive leaves and white fruits
• Large alternate leaves usually with 9-13 entire (not toothed) leaflets and a red stem connecting the
leaflets.
• The leaflets are smooth and may be shiny.
• Fall color is brilliant, with a range of hues from bright yellow to deep purple.
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Typically found along forest edges and maintained right-of-ways. They prefer full sun areas that have
limited competition.
Figure 3 Poison Sumac
Prevention
• Learn to recognize the plants; plants may look different depending on the area where you live and the
season.
• Remove the plants from the area, wearing vinyl gloves.
• If unable to remove, wear heavy clothing, long sleeves and long pants.
• If you are often in areas where poison ivy, oak, or sumac grows, you may want to get a product (such
as Tecnu or Zanfel) that is designed to remove the plant oil (urushiol) from your skin.
• Barrier creams and lotions can be used to prevent urushiol from contacting the skin or to reduce the
severity of a reaction (these creams vary in their potency and are not always effective).
Take immediate action
If you have been exposed and are aware of it, you should:
• Use generous amounts of isopropyl alcohol to cleanse your skin before the poison can attach itself to
the skin.
• Wash skin with water.
• Shower with soap and water. (NOTE: Do not use soap and water before cleansing with alcohol
because it can spread the poison around the skin’s surface).
• Clothes, shoes and tools should be washed with alcohol and water (be sure to wear gloves during this
process).
The rash
• Redness and swelling appear in about 12 to 48 hours; blisters and itching will follow.
• Blisters are not contagious and do not spread the rash; however, do not scratch the blisters because
fingernails carry germs that could infect the area.
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The rash, blisters and itch normally disappear in 14 to 20 days without treatment.
Treatment
• Mild cases of itching: wet compress or soak in cool water.
• Moderate itching: oral antihistamines or topical hydrocortisone.
• Severe reactions: treat with prescription oral corticosteroids, which must be taken for at least 14 days,
preferably over a three-week period.
When to seek medical attention
• If rash covers more than 25% of the body.
• If having allergic reactions such as swelling and/or difficulty breathing.
• If having severe cough or itching that cannot be controlled.
• If rash affects the face, lips, eyes or genitalia.
• If the rash shows signs of infection: pus or a yellow fluid leaking from the blisters, odor or increased
tenderness.
Preventing dog bites
• Know the properties where dogs are present; ask the homeowners to either chain their dogs or leave
them in the house.
• Know the signs of when a dog might attack:
o Is the dog showing teeth?
o Are the ears flat back against their head? If so, it might mean the dog is frightened or ready to
attack.
o If a dog is wagging his tail, does that mean he will not attack? Not necessarily. If the tail is
standing straight up and stiffly wagging the dog is suspicious and may bite. If the tail is tucked
between its legs, the dog is scared and may bite.
o What is the dog's body posture? If leaning towards you, the dog is dominant and if leaning
away from you, the dog is submissive.
o Is the hair along their back standing up? If so, stay away because the dog may attack.
• Never approach a dog that is chained, fenced in, sleeping or guarding its pups.
• If you are approached by a dog who you think may attack, then follow these steps:
o Resist the impulse to scream and run away.
o Remain motionless, hands at your sides, and avoid eye contact with the dog.
o Once the dog loses interest in you, slowly back away until he is out of sight.
o If the dog does attack, "feed" him your jacket, purse, bicycle, or anything that you can put
between yourself and the dog.
o If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears and
remain motionless. Try not to scream or roll around.
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Preventing snake bites
Some bites, such as those inflicted when you accidentally step on a snake in the woods, are nearly impossible
to prevent. However, there are precautions that can reduce your chances of being bitten by a snake, including
the following:
• Leave snakes alone. Many people are bitten because they try to kill a snake or get too close to it.
• Stay out of tall grass unless wearing thick leather boots; remain on paths as much as possible.
• Keep hands and feet out of areas you cannot see. Do not pick up rocks or firewood unless you are
out of a snake's striking distance.
• Be cautious and alert when hand pruning shrubs.
• If you or your coworker is bitten:
o Try to see and remember the color and shape of the snake, which can help with treatment of the
snakebite.
o Keep the bitten person still and calm. This can slow down the spread of venom if the snake is
venomous.
o Dial 911 or call emergency services (EMS).
Preventing spider bites
Black Widow Spider
• The female black widow is the more dangerous.
She is shiny, black and has a round abdomen
with two yellow or red triangles that form an
hourglass shape.
• Black widows’ webs are loose, irregular and
resemble that of a mesh-type material.
• Webs can be found on plants, within loose stone
or wood piles and inside irrigation valve boxes.
The bite:
The black widow’s bite feels similar to a pinprick, if felt at all. If bitten, there will be two faint red spots
surrounded by local swelling. Within 1 – 3 hours, the pain will intensify and may continue up to 48 hours. The
black widow produces a type of venom that affects the victim’s nervous system. There will be severe, rigid
abdominal cramping similar to that of appendicitis, weakness, and tremor. In severe cases, nausea, vomiting,
faintness, dizziness, chest pain and respiratory difficulties may result.
Brown Recluse Spider
• Brown recluse spiders are notable for the characteristic violin
pattern on their back, seen with the base of the violin at the head of
the spider and the neck of the violin pointing to the rear.
• These small non-hairy spiders are yellowish-tan to dark brown in
color with darker legs.
• They measure with legs about 1 inch in length.
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They have six eyes.
They seek out dark, warm, dry environments such as porches, basements, woodpiles, old tires and
underneath rocks and trash.
Their webs are irregular and three dimensional.
The bite
Most bites occur during the summer months. The brown recluse venom is extremely poisonous, even more
potent than that of a rattlesnake. This venom is a collection of enzymes. One of the specific enzymes, once
released into the victim's skin, causes destruction of local cell membranes, which disrupts the integrity of
tissues leading to local breakdown of skin, fat, and blood vessels. This process leads to eventual tissue death
called necrosis in areas immediately surrounding the bite site. The bite may not be felt, but within 1-3 hours,
the area becomes painful and swollen. The secondary effects of the venom, although rare, can produce
destruction of red blood cells, low platelet count, blood clots in capillaries and loss of ability to form clots
where needed, acute renal failure (kidney damage), coma or death.
If you are bitten
• Wash the area well with soap and water.
• Apply a cold or ice pack wrapped in a cloth, or a cold, wet washcloth to the site.
• To protect against infection, apply an antibiotic lotion or cream.
• Take acetaminophen for pain.
• Seek immediate emergency care for further treatment.
• Prompt treatment is essential to avoid more serious complications.
Review the following points
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How do you ID poison ivy, sumac and oak?
What are the signs that a dog might attack?
What are the possible locations where snakes might hide?
Where might you find a Black Widow or Brown Recluse spider?
What procedures do you follow when bitten by a dog, snake, or spider?
Quiz
1.
2.
3.
4.
Only the leaves of the poison ivy plants contain the toxic oils. T or F
If a dog’s ears are pinned back on their head then they are threatened and may attack. T or F
It is okay to move a snake if he is in the bushes that you need to prune. T or F
Black widow spiders can be found on plants, within loose stone or wood piles and inside irrigation
valves boxes. T or F
5. Brown recluse spiders seek out wet environments. T or F
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Answer key
1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. False
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