PHOENIX (Oct. 18, 2024) – The Banner Poison and Drug Information Center is warning people to stay vigilant about rattlesnakes and scorpions even as temperatures have begun dropping in the desert.
75-year-old Connie Jorgensen and her husband had just returned to their Gold Canyon home from an out of state trip recently when she had gone outside to water their plants that night. Just as she went to retrieve the hose from a rosemary bush, she felt a piercing pain on one of her right toes.
At first, Jorgensen thought it was a scorpion sting, as she had been stung on her fingers by scorpions in the past. But after becoming worried about swelling and discoloration, she ended up at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix for treatment, where she was diagnosed with a rattlesnake bite. Thankfully, Jorgensen received treatment from expert toxicologists and medical staff at the hospital and is experiencing a smooth recovery.
“We live in a low light community — it was dark and I was wearing sandals when I went out to water the plants,” Jorgensen said. “I’m thankful my injuries weren’t worse than they were. I had become a bit too comfortable, but now I know to be much more cautious when going outside, especially at night.”
While rattlesnake bites in Arizona typically occur during the hottest months of the year — July through September — they can still happen at any time. It is also possible to not easily detect a rattlesnake bite, especially when the snake wasn’t seen or heard. If you experience a bite or sting and aren’t sure of the cause, it is recommended to call the poison center to have a health care professional assess the situation.
Rattlesnake awareness tips:
- When hiking, wear long pants and lace-up leather shoes or boots that cover ankles, and stay on trails.
- Take a phone and let people know where you will be — don’t hike remote areas alone.
- South-facing areas are places where snake encounters are more likely.
- Don’t handle or touch snakes in any way, even if it appears to be dead.
- If you encounter a snake, calmly back up and walk around it if you have a large enough distance to do so.
- Step on top of rocks or logs to get a clear view of the other side before stepping down.
- Teach children at an early age to respect snakes and stay away. The Banner Poison and Drug Information Center sees many children bitten by rattlesnakes each year.
If you are bitten, stay calm and seek medical attention at a hospital emergency department immediately, as it is important to receive treatment as soon as possible. If there is any jewelry near the bite, make sure to remove it before swelling begins.
- Don’t apply ice to the bite or immerse it in a bucket of ice.
- Don’t use a constricting band/cloth or tourniquets, or otherwise restrict blood flow.
- Don’t cut the bite site or try to suck out the venom — let it alone.
- Don’t use electric shock or stun guns of any kind.
- Don’t try to capture the snake to bring to the hospital. Time spent trying to capture the snake delays treatment and could result in additional bites.
About Banner Poison and Drug Information Center
The Banner Poison and Drug Information Center is a phone call away and can be reached at 1-800-222-1222. The center provides a free, 24-hour emergency telephone service for both residents and medical professionals of Maricopa County. Assistance is available in more than 150 languages. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/poisoncenter.
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For further information contact us at: [email protected]