Latest news with #OklahomaPoisonCenter
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Snake season: What to do if a venomous snake bites you?
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — As the temperatures climb and many head outdoors to enjoy the sunshine, it's also waking up some slithery visitors. The Oklahoma Poison Center is already starting to see an uptick in calls. In 2024 alone, The Oklahoma Poison Center helped manage 363 snake bites across the state. 160 copperhead bites 38 rattlesnake bites 12 cottonmouth bites 102 bites from unidentified venomous snakes 34 unknown snake bites (venom status undetermined) 15 non-venomous snake bites 2 bites from exotic snakes LOCAL NEWS: OSU researching Asian Longhorned Tick that can be deadly for cattle The Oklahoma Poison Center says they do not need to know what type of snake bit you. 'Just leave it alone, get out of the area and our anti venom that we have here in Oklahoma will actually cover all venomous snakes,' said Kristie Edelen, managing director, The Oklahoma Poison Center. Edelen says to never use tourniquets, ice or extraction tools. Just head straight to the emergency room. You should also remove any jewelry or tight clothing. 'When it comes to snake bites, we have a saying that time is tissue,' said Edelen. She says that waiting too long can lead to permanent damage. The Oklahoma Poison Center says it's not just snakes you have to look out for this time of year, but also spiders. 'Probably the biggest thing that we're seeing here in Oklahoma right now is our brown recluse bites, just people specifically having things like rashes and muscle pains,' said Edelen. Scorpion stings can also happen with the warmer weather, but they're rarely dangerous. When in doubt about a bite, Edelen says the best thing you can do is call The Oklahoma Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Oklahoma health experts warn of Vitamin A toxicity amid measles outbreak
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Oklahoma health experts are weighing in on a new concern linked to the measles outbreak. There's been a lot of discussion about Vitamin A protecting against the disease, even from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but health experts say it doesn't work and it can be dangerous. 'It's important to recognize we're not getting calls here in Oklahoma, we're just trying to get ahead of this story,' said Kristie Edelen, managing director of the Oklahoma Poison Center. The Oklahoma Poison Center is sounding the alarm after doctors in Texas have seen children hospitalized with Vitamin A poisoning. Measles exposure site identified in Sallisaw, case count reaches 15 'We're talking about well over 20, 30 times the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A,' said Dr. George Monks, former president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association. Vitamin A is fat-soluble, meaning it builds up in the body. 'If you give really high amounts over a long period of time, then those can potentially be harmful and most of the time of course, it can cause some GI stuff, stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, but the biggest thing we get concerned about is toxicity to the liver,' said Edelen. The best thing you can do when it comes to measles is get the MMR vaccine. 'Talking with your pediatrician and making sure that you have a plan and that your kid is vaccinated and asking them all of those really important questions, even if you do have questions about vitamin A versus just giving vitamin A without asking a health care provider,' said Edelen. Oklahoma has seen 15 cases so far, with one of them being a fully vaccinated patient. Doctors say it's rare, and they typically have a milder illness and are less likely to spread the disease. If you have questions about Vitamin A, medications, or supplement use, contact the Oklahoma Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Okla. Poison Ctr. highlights Vitamin A use during Measles outbreak
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Oklahoma Poison Center on Wednesday, released a statement regarding measles outbreaks and Vitamin A toxicity asking Oklahomans to be mindful to use vitamin supplements only as recommended by health care professionals. 'If you're concerned about measles, the best thing you can do is get vaccinated and talk to your physician. Vitamin A is not the answer,' said Dr. Claire Epperson, associate medical director for the Oklahoma Poison Center. The Oklahoma Poison Center strongly warns against self-medicating with vitamin A. It does not prevent measles. It does not cure measles. 'A lot of mad people right now': Guthrie food trucks get the boot from popular spot Oklahoma Poison Center officials say, Vitamin A is not a substitute for vaccination noting taking a extra amount of any vitamin can cause serious harm additionally stating there has not been an increase in vitamin A-related calls and received one call this year related to an unintentional therapeutic error. 'We want to reassure the public that we are not currently experiencing a trend, but we feel it is important to provide clear, evidence-based guidance,' said Kristie Edelen, managing director of the Oklahoma Poison Center. 'Overdosing on vitamins, even with good intentions, can lead to serious health effects –particularly in children,' Edelen said. 'The Oklahoma Poison Center urges parents and caregivers not to attempt to treat or prevent illnesses like measles with high-dose vitamins without consulting a medical professional. The most effective way to protect against measles remains vaccination, as recommended by health care providers and public health authorities.' If you or someone you know has questions about vitamin A, medications, or supplement use, contact the Oklahoma Poison Center are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-222-1222. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Oklahoma is home to several venomous snake species. How to spot them, what to do
More than 40 species of snakes can be found in Oklahoma, but only a handful have a bite that's dangerous to humans. Even though their bites require immediate medical attention, these snakes are more dangerous to small domestic animals like cats and dogs. Most often, bites occur by accident when a person or pet stumbles upon one as it waits for its next meal. Humans pose a greater threat to these snakes than the snakes do to humans, so it's best to leave them alone if found outdoors. As the weather improves and Oklahomans head back outside, here is a guide on how to identify venomous snakes like the copperhead, cottonmouth and rattlesnake. Story continues below gallery The copperhead name comes from the distinctive copper tone found throughout its body, but especially on its wide head. As a pit viper, its head is large and triangular-shaped compared to the rest of its body. This is caused by venom glands inside the skull. Juvenile copperheads have a bright yellow-green tail. Copperheads have a wide range in the Eastern United States. They can be found in central Oklahoma but the snake prefers woodlands and rocky outcroppings more common in the eastern part of the state. In Oklahoma last year, copperhead bites accounted for nearly half of all snake-related calls, according to the Oklahoma Poison Center. There were 160 calls to the center for copperhead bites in 2024. The cottonmouth is a mottled, dark-colored snake that can appear black, until it opens its mouth. Known for its bright shade of white inside its mouth, the cottonmouth uses this as a flashy way of deterring threats. They're also known as water moccasins due to their frequent swimming, but they're the only Oklahoma snake that's commonly found in water. "They are particularly common in large swamps associated with rivers, but can be common along small streams, in ponds, and even in lakes," writes the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife. "During summer, individuals often wander away from water and can be found on the forest floor." Rattlesnakes are named for their tail rattle, which is shaken as a defense mechanism. There are five different types of rattlesnakes found in Oklahoma: Timber rattlesnake Western diamondback rattlesnake Western pygmy rattlesnake Prairie rattlesnake Western massasauga rattlesnake All rattlesnakes found in Oklahoma produce a powerful and dangerous venom that destroys tissue and disrupts blood clotting. Although copperheads are responsible for the most snakebites in the United States, rattlesnakes pose a greater risk of injury to humans because of their venom. If you get bit by a venomous snake, immediately call 911 and head to the nearest emergency room. Most hospitals have antivenom drugs and can advise you on how to proceed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, do not use a tourniquet, cut the wound or try to suck out the venom — these methods can make the situation worse. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma venomous snakes: How to spot them, what to do if you get bit
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Injectable weight-loss drugs increasing calls to state poison center
The Oklahoma Poison Center is reporting a 'surge' of incoming calls about accidental overdosing of popular injectable drugs used for weight loss and diabetes management. Called GLP-1 agonists and used in such drugs as Ozempic, the products are used to help lower blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. They are used once a week and are administered by injecting into fatty tissue. According to the Poison Center, the organization has received 241 calls related to GLP-1 agonists, with 189 (78%) of these being due to 'unintentional therapeutic errors.' The center said that users often 'realize too late that they've injected the wrong amount.' 'These are very safe drugs, so we're not talking about death or really severe symptoms, but to patient sometimes it can seem severe,' said Kristie Edelen, managing director at the Oklahoma Poison Center. 'They can have pretty significant stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. These are only dosed once weekly, so they have a really really long half-life. It may be day two, three or four that the patient is calling us and they want to know 'When are these symptoms going to stop?' Really it does take about a week, sometimes up to two weeks for those symptoms to stop.' While those symptoms aren't life-threatening by themselves, a week-long bout of them can lead to dehydration, and require rehydrating with intravenous fluids in serious cases, Edelen said. Edelen said the calls to the center started going up when a shortage occurred and the Food and Drug Administration allowed compounding pharmacies to mix up their own versions and provide them to patients in vials, to be injected with a syringe. The manufactured versions are provided with pens that have preset doses, so overdosing is less likely. 'The public really needs to recognize that we as healthcare providers, pharmacists, medical providers and physicians, should be educating patients if we are either prescribing or making and dispensing these medications, and making sure that patients know how they are properly administered,' Edelen said. One problem is the type of syringe being used can cause a patient to misunderstand the dose they are administering to themselves. 'Insulin syringes are dosed in units, whereas other syringes are dosed typically in milliliters, and they are not one in the same,' Edelen said. Edelen said the following guidelines can help prevent an accidental overdose: Know Your Dose: Always confirm your prescribed dose with your provider or pharmacy. Compounded versions may differ from FDA-approved formulations. Understand Your Syringe: An insulin syringe, measured in units, is different from a standard syringe, measured in milliliter. Using the wrong syringe can lead to serious overdoses or underdoses. Be Shown How to Measure Your Dose: If you're unsure, ask a healthcare provider or pharmacist to demonstrate. GLP-1 pens may be dosed differently than syringes. Double Check Before Injecting: If the amount looks different than expected, stop and ask before proceeding. If you are in doubt, don't inject—call for help. Those with questions can call The Oklahoma Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 to get answers about GLP-1 agonists and any other medication concerns.
