By Olivia Fowler
For the Courier

If you’re out in the woods hunting, hiking or just enjoying nature in general, there are several plants you need to steer clear of. Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac have earned their names. The leaves, roots and stems of these plants contain a poisonous sap called urushiol.
Contact with urushiol causes an allergic reaction in the form of an intense itching rash. There’s about a 10-minute window of time when the sap can be washed off without dire consequences.

But the best way to avoid an allergic reaction is to avoid contact. And the only way to avoid contact is to be able to identify the culprits.
There’s an old saying, “Leaves of three, let them be.”

Poison ivy is found in wooded areas, especially around the edges of forests. Its cluster of three smooth leaves with reddish hairs on the stems are a sure-fire giveaway even though it can take the form of a vine clinging to trees or other plants or as a shrub. It is found all over North America. It’s important to know what the vine form looks like if cutting trees up for firewood. The vine attaches itself to the bark of trees with small hairy tendrils. If the vine is on firewood that is burned it can cause acute allergic reactions, because the sap is inhaled as well as coating clothing and all exposed areas of skin..

Poison oak is an upright shrub that grows in thickets and forests along the western coast. Like poison ivy, its leaves grow in groups of three but with scalloped edges (resembling the leaves of an oak tree, hence the name). The leaves, like those of poison ivy, are reddish in early spring when they first appear, green in summer and reddish again in fall before being shed for winter.

Poison sumac grows in the southeastern states, usually in swampy areas. The branches bear clumps of between seven and 13 leaves, and the plant takes the form of a shrub or small tree. The leaves are tapered to a point, oblong in shape, and the plant bears drooping green berries. Regular sumac bares bright red berries that grow in an upright pattern.

Keep in mind that you can have an allergic reaction through indirect contact. So, if you handle any object that has come in contact with these plants you can have an allergic reaction.

If the rash is near the eyes or covers large areas of the body a doctor’s care is needed. For milder outbreaks a cortisone salve, Calamine lotion or a soak in a soda bath can help relieve the itching. Frequent exposure can intensify the reaction.

So be aware of your surroundings at all times while in the woods. It’s the best way to avoid trouble.

Not all outdoor hazards are in plant form. Poisonous snakes are not often seen, but it’s important to be able to identify them when they’re spotted.

Snakes don’t want contact with people any more than people want contact with them. If left alone most snakes will crawl away as quickly as possible. But if you do come across one check the shape of the head, tale and the color for the sake of safety.

There are four different types of venomous snakes in the United States; cottonmouths, rattlesnakes, copperheads and coral snakes.

Cottonmouths are usually loners and are commonly found around water although they can live well on land. Each side of the triangular shaped head has a white stripe. Non poisonous water snakes swim with just their heads above water, but poisonous snakes like the cottonmouth swim with most of the body on the surface as their lungs are inflated when swimming. Young cottonmouths have yellow tails. Harmless water snakes do not have triangular shaped heads but have heads shaped like the bowl of a spoon. Their eyes are round. Cottonmouths have elliptical eyes like a cat.

Copperheads are similar in shape to cottonmouths, but more brightly colored, ranging from copper to bright orange, silvery pink and peach. Young copperheads also have yellow tails. They also have the triangular shaped head.

Rattlesnakes have the triangular head, eliptical eyes and the button-like rattle at the end of the tail. The older and larger the snake the more rattles at tail’s end.

Coral snakes have black, yellow and red bands, a yellow head and a black band over their nose. The non-poisonous king snake is unfortunately sometimes mistaken for a coral snake. A rhyme used to tell the difference between the two is “Red touch yellow, kill a fellow. Red touch black, friend to Jack.”

Coral snakes are very shy.

If you or someone you’re with is bitten by a poisonous snake medical professionals list symptoms, actions to take and warn of what not to do, which can be as important as treatment.

Experts say:
Rattlesnake bites are painful when they occur. Symptoms usually begin right away and may include:
Bleeding
Breathing difficulty
Blurred vision
Eyelid drooping
Low blood pressure
Nausea and vomiting
Numbness
Pain at site of bite
Paralysis
Rapid pulse
Skin color changes
Swelling
Thirst
Tingling
Tiredness
Tissue damage
Weakness
Weak pulse

Cottonmouth and copperhead bites are painful right when they occur. Symptoms, which usually begin right away, may include:
Bleeding
Breathing difficulty
Low blood pressure
Nausea and vomiting
Numbness and tingling
Pain at site of bite
Shock
Skin color changes
Swelling
Thirst
Tiredness
Tissue damage
Weakness
Weak pulse

Coral snake bites may be painless at first. Major symptoms may not develop for hours. Do not make the mistake of thinking you will be fine if the bite area looks good and you are not in a lot of pain. Untreated coral snake bites can be deadly. Symptoms may include:
Blurred vision
Breathing difficulty
Convulsions
Drowsiness
Eyelid drooping
Headache
Low blood pressure
Mouth watering (excessive salivation)
Nausea and vomiting
Numbness
Pain and swelling at site of bite
Paralysis
Shock
Slurred speech
Swallowing difficulty
Swelling of tongue and throat
Weakness
Skin color changes
Skin tissue damage
Stomach or abdominal pain
Weak pulse

Snake bite first aid
1. Keep the person calm, reassuring them that bites can be effectively treated in an emergency room. Restrict movement, and keep the affected area below heart level to reduce the flow of venom.

2. If you have a pump suction device (such as that made by Sawyer), follow the manufacturer’s directions.

3. Remove any rings or constricting items, because the affected area may swell. Create a loose splint to help restrict movement of the area.

4. If the area of the bite begins to swell and change color, the snake was probably poisonous.

5. Monitor the person’s vital signs — temperature, pulse, rate of breathing and blood pressure — if possible. If there are signs of shock (such as paleness), lay the person flat, raise the feet about a foot, and cover the person with a blanket.

6. Get medical help right away.

7. Bring in the dead snake only if this can be done safely. Do not waste time hunting for the snake, and do not risk another bite if it is not easy to kill the snake. Be careful of the head when transporting it — a snake can actually bite for several hours after it’s dead (from a reflex).

Do not
Do not allow the person to become over-exerted. If necessary, carry the person to safety.
Do not apply a tourniquet.
Do not apply cold compresses to a snake bite.
Do not cut into a snake bite with a knife or razor.
Do not try to suck out the venom by mouth.
Do not give the person stimulants or pain medications unless a doctor tells you to do so.
Do not give the person anything by mouth.
Do NOT raise the site of the bite above the level of the person’s heart.