By Ryan Rerich, Schulenburg Sticker Intern

The thought of snakebites occupies the minds of many during the hot summer months.

Columbus Community Hospital has assisted three patients during the past month and a half due to bites from the slithering reptiles, said Tammy Kristynik-Moeller, a Registered Nurse at the hospital.

Trends regarding the location of activities and areas attacked on the patients are reasonably similar from patient to patient who is bitten.

“Most are found in the yard when working in their flower beds or gardening and even when wading in the lake/river. We see bites on patients’ fingers or feet, usually for patients that have been wearing flip-flops,” Kristynik-Moeller said.

Betty Hajovsky, director of community relations at the hospital, has asked for the following press release to be delivered to the public in order to increase awareness of snakebites and how dangerous they can truly be.

Summertime is here, a time for walking in the woods, working in yards and gardens, swimming in creeks, and playing in fields. It is also a time to be on the look out for our slithering friends (snakes) who also share the same area. There are two types of venomous snakes in Texas, pit vipers and elapids. Pit vipers are the most common and include the copperhead, cottonmouth and rattlesnake. The second group is the Elapids, which consist of the coral snake; this is the only snake that has touching red and yellow bands.

Snakebites should always be taken seriously. If you are unsure on what type of snakebite you have received, call Poison Control, 1-800-222-1222, for information or go to the nearest Emergency Room. Please do not bring a live snake to the ER for identification.

How to avoid snakebites:

•Avoid places where snakes may live. These places include tall grass or brush, rocky areas, fallen logs, bluffs, swamps, marshes, and deep holes in the ground.

•When moving through tall grass or weeds, poke at the ground in front of you with a long stick to scare away snakes.

•Watch where you step and where you sit when outdoors.

•Shine a flashlight on your path when walking outside at night.

•Never handle a snake, even if you think it is dead. Recently killed snakes may still bite by reflex.

What to do if bitten:

•Remove any jewelry (rings, watches, bracelets, etc.) as swelling can progress rapidly.

•Keep the stricken extremity below the heart.

• Get to the ER as soon as possible.

•Lie down and try to relax. If someone else has gotten bitten, remind them to relax and stay calm.

What not to do:

•Do not cut into the bite; you will help the venom spread.

•Do not suck on the bite; open wounds in the mouth will expose you to the venom and the ER will have two patients.

•Do not apply a tourniquet to the extremity.

•Do not apple ice or heat to the bite.

•Do not apply any topical substance to the bite.

Some things to remember:

•Leave the snake alone and it will leave you alone.

•Humans kill more snakes than snakes kill humans.

•If bitten, call poison control (1-800-222-1222) or go to the nearest Emergency Room.

The last piece of advice that Kristynik-Moeller would give is “to be careful when working outdoors because the snakes we have in the area camouflage well with their surroundings, making them more difficult to see unless you are paying close attention.”

The Emergency Room has had patients recently with snakebites, so with these helpful tips, try to become more aware of the surroundings and avoid an extremely harming snakebite.