A When Arizona hikers, campers and picnickers head for the hills to avoid the summer heat and enjoy the scenic sites of the Copper State, one thing they should be on the lookout for is an encounter with some of Arizona's unique and sometimes venomous "critters."

A little common sense goes a long way in preventing painful and potentially dangerous bites or stings. You usually can avoid snakes, scorpions, spiders, centipedes and other creatures by being cautious and alert, paying attention to where you walk and where you place your hands.

Try to keep your hands and feet out of crevices in rocks, woodpiles and deep grass. Don't pick up rocks. Always wear shoes or boots when walking and remain on hiking paths. Use a flashlight after dark. Before putting on shoes or getting into a sleeping bag, check them for "critters." Watch where you sit.

Leave wild animals alone. Never handle a venomous reptile, even after it's dead. Reflex strikes with envenomations can occur for several hours after death.

Be aware of animals' peak movement times. Reptiles are most active in the warmer months of April through October. During the hottest months, they are most active at night. Scorpions are relatively inactive during the daylight hours. The majority of scorpion stings reported to the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center occur at night during the warm summer months.

Most snakebites are preventable by exercising informed caution. About 50 to 70 percent of reptile bites managed by the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center were provoked by the person who was bitten — who was trying to kill, capture or harass the animal.

If you encounter a snake when hiking or picnicking, just walk around it, staying about 6 feet away. (A snake can strike half its tourniquets, administration of drugs or alcohol, and most recently, electric shock, have been associated with complications and also may delay transportation to professional medical care.

All 11 species of rattlesnakes in Arizona are venomous. (Venoms are complex poisons that vary greatly in composition and potency among species and individual snakes.) In addition to rattles, all rattlesnakes share some common physical characteristics, including a triangular shaped head, a facial pit, elliptical pupils and foldable fangs.

The Arizona coral snake also is a venomous snake. Its characteristic pattern of black, yellow and red rings that encircle its body distinguishes it from many look-alike nonvenomous snakes. It averages less than 2 feet long.

Only one of the 30 species of scorpions found in Arizona is regarded as life threatening —Centruroides exilicauda, or the Bark Scorpion. Reaching only an inch and a half at maturity, it is a comparatively small scorpion. It may be distinguished from other less toxic species by its more slender tail segments and pincers.

Other venomous creatures to watch out for in the wilderness include black widow spiders, brown spiders, centipedes, conenose bugs (also called kissing bugs, assassin bugs, and Walapai Tiger), tarantulas and velvet ants (which actually are wingless wasps).

More information is available on the Arizona Poison and Drug Information website, http://www.pharmacy.arizona.edu/centers/poisoncenter /apdicindex.html.

—Jude T. McNally, R.Ph.,ABAT, managing director, Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson

Q What should I do if I get bitten by a snake or stung by a scorpion? M.S., Tucson

A Fatalities from snake bites are extremely rare, but serious symptoms are possible. All snakebite victims should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

In many cases, first aid performed in the field only causes additional injury. Measures using ice, incision and suction, tight length.) Leave it alone and don't try to catch it.

Knowing in advance how to get to the nearest hospital can greatly reduce anxiety and lead to more effective care.

The following recommendations minimize the potential for complications or delays in treatment:

1. Calm and reassure the patient.

2. Wash the bite area with soap and water.

3. Remove constricting items, such as jewelry, from the affected limb.

4. When practical, immobilize the affected limb at approximately heart level.

5. Do not try to bring the snake to the hospital. The snake may bite again, and trying to capture it may delay transportation to professional care. Having the snake available will not significantly affect managment of the bite.

Most scorpion stings occurring in healthy young adults may be managed with basic first aid measures and follow-up. Clean the site with soap and water, apply a cool compress to the sting site, elevate the affected limb to approximately heart level, and take aspirin or Tylenol as needed for minor discomfort.

Scorpion stings occurring in children, or any patient who experiences severe symptoms, should be seen at a health care facility immediately.

—Jude T. McNally, R.Ph.,ABAT, managing director, Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson

EDITORS NOTE: The Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy in Tucson provides poison specialists 24 hours a day, every day of the year. To reach a specialist, call 1-800-362-0101 (outside the Tucson area), or 626-6016 (in the Tucson area).

Editors Note: ASK AHSC is published by the AHSC Office of Public Affairs. Reporters may quote from ASK AHSC; we request that credit be given. ASK AHSC is available on the Internet at www.ahsc.arizona.edu/opa/answers. To receive ASK AHSC via E-mail, call (520) 626-7301. Health questions should be sent to: ASK AHSC, AHSC Office of Public Affairs, PO Box 245095, Tucson, AZ 85724-5095, or E-mail to: jspinell@u.arizona.edu. The information here is not intended to replace the advice of your physician. For referral to a UA physician, please call University Health Connection, (520) 694-8888.

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