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People
who frequent wilderness areas, camp, hike, or picnic should
be aware of the potential dangers posed by venomous snakes.
Even a bite from a harmless snake can cause infection
or allergic reaction in some people.
PREVENTION
Know what these plants look like and avoid them.
If
you know you have come in contact with one of the plants,
you may prevent an allergic reaction if you do the things
below within 6 hours:
· Remove all clothes and shoes that have touched
the plant.
· Wash your skin with soap and water.
· Apply rubbing alcohol with cotton balls to the
parts of the skin that are affected.
· Rinse with water.
SIGNS
Itching, redness, burning feeling, swelling, blisters.
Some people may suffer headache, fever, and weakness.
FIRST
AID
Remove
any contaminated clothing.
Do not scratch the rash or it may spread to other parts
of your body.
Wash the affected area of skin thoroughly with soap and
cool water to remove any poisonous residue. Be sure the
water used to clean the area does not spread poison by
running over other parts of your body. Using a washcloth
could also spread the poison.
Rinse the area with rubbing alcohol.
Apply calamine lotion to the area to relieve itching and
burning.
SEEK
CARE IF:
You have a
high temperature.
The rash gets tender, exudes pus, or has soft yellow scabs.
The itching gets worse or keeps you awake at night.
The rash spreads to your eyes, mouth, or genital area,
or covers more than a quarter of your skin.
The rash is not better within a few days.
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