Watch Out For The Hidden Venomous Snake In Grass

A new study reveals that nearly 1300 US kids suffer from snakebites every year on an average, with one in four attacks reported from Florida and Texas. There has been a great increase in the number of children being attacked by copperheads and other venomous snakes in the US.

As per a report published by Palm Beach Post, a study reveals that the maximum number of snakebites is reported from Florida. Most of these bites are considered to be deadly, where one in five cases requires an admission to Intensive Care Unit. According to Fox News, Dr. Joann Schulte, a pediatrics researcher at the University of Louisville in Kentucky said, "Treatment of snakebite can cost nearly $100000 if anti-venom is needed." She went on to add that kids should not play in tall grass during the summers without wearing appropriate shoes on their feet.

A venomous snake can be dangerous with neurotoxic complications and problems with blood clotting. Most of the children bitten by snakes die immediately due to the delay in receiving the treatment. Besides Texas and Florida, the other states that record the highest number of snakebites are Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, West Virginia and Oklahoma. Arizona and California account for the maximum number of rattlesnake bites.

The major symptoms of venomous snakebites are swelling, low blood pressure, the death of tissue around the injury, respiratory complications, kidney failure, hemorrhage, pain, redness, coma and at times, death. Most of the injuries are reported during the months of June and July.

According to CBS News, Schulte and team analyzed a data from the US control centers on snakebite victims who were below 18 years of age. During the years of 2000-2013, nearly 18700 pediatric snakebites were reported, about half of them being venomous. The report also stated that according to North Carolina Cooperative Extension, copperheads bite more people than any other US snake species.

Schulte encouraged parents to rush their kids to an emergency room after snakebite rather than taking them to a primary care clinic. It is important to seek the assistance from the poison center, so as to identify the snake. Extensive urbanization and increased housing developments have affected the natural habitats of the snake and other reptiles. People who are planning to go out for rock climbing should be careful as they are more prone to the risk of a rattlesnake bite.

The amount of venom injected during snakebite varies and thus, the symptoms may also vary. Ensure your safety first and then try to move into the grasses.