MEDICAL SURFARI: SOME TIPS ON HAPPY CAMPING

I recently took my family camping in the Pike National Forest near Colorado Springs. We camped in a pine forest at about 7,000 feet above sea level. The weather was beautiful with plenty of sunshine, blue skies, moderate daytime temperatures and cool evenings, and there was a conspicuous absence of insects and other pests.

We had a delightful time soaking up the peace of the great outdoors, and we enjoyed seeing elk, beaver, marmot and many little chipmunks near our campsite. We were fortunate that no one was injured. Everyone seemed to have a good time.

Although we prepared well for our outing, I did not have my appendix removed for the event. Yes, some explorers, in preparation for a long trek, have gone so far as to have an appendectomy to prevent this possibility from occurring while in the wilderness. There are certainly some less drastic measures that make good sense if you are planning an upcoming camping trip.

If you or a family member were bitten by a snake or fell and broke a bone, and medical help wasn't readily available, would you know what to do? The National Safety Council estimates that more than 150,000 Americans die each year as a result of accidents, and many of these could have been prevented with appropriate and prompt first aid.

Bite and stings come in all shapes and sizes and degrees of seriousness, and they can put a serious damper on a good camping trip. Fortunately, the United States has only a few types of poisonous snakes ... namely, the rattlesnake, copperhead, coral snake and water moccasin. For these reasons take along a snake bite kit and definitely know how to use it.

Insect bites are more common, and in most cases they are less serious, although a scorpion sting or poisonous spider bite may be life threatening. Many insect bits can be prevented by spray or lotion repellents. Insect bites may elicit a local and, or generalized allergic reaction. Applying a cold pack to the area of the bite will help reduce the allergic response.

A generalized allergic response that included difficulty breathing, a feeling of tightness in the chest and throat and swelling of the face, neck and tongue may be a life-threatening allergic reaction. People who have had this type of severe allergic reaction may carry an "Epi" (epinephrine or adrenaline) kit. If this is available it should be administered immediately under these circumstances, and immediate professional medical assistance should be sought.

Some insects like ticks and mosquitoes may carry infectious diseases like rocky mountain spotted fever, lyme disease and encephalitis. Preventing tick and mosquito bites is the best way to avoid exposure to these infectious diseases. Dress appropriately, wearing a long sleeve shirt and long pants when walking in woody or grassy areas, and use insect repellent on exposed skin and on your clothes. Check yourself and your children every few hours for ticks.

Ticks most often attach to humans around the neck, waistline and sock line. If you discover a tick, don't panic: Simply remove it. A tick's mouth parts are barbed-shaped and can remain embedded if not removed properly, leading to an infection at the bite site. If you live in or travel to an area with ticks, consider purchasing a tool called a "tick licker" or other similar device. Tweezers may be used, however they must be used very gently to prevent crushing the tick and separating its body from its head.

A "tick licker" is a small, lightweight tool, and is easier to use than tweezers. They are available in most camping and hunting sports equipment stores. Do not use a lighted match or cigarette to try to get the insect to let go and back out; it doesn't work, and it can cause burns. Be certain that you have removed all of the tick, and apply local antiseptic or antibiotic cream to the bite. See your physician if you develop swelling, redness or a characteristic "bull's eye rash," fever, or other concerning symptoms.

Nothing can ruin your enthusiasm for camping faster than getting lost while camping in an unfamiliar area. Always take a compass when you camp and learn how to use it. If you do not have a compass, you may use the old shadow-stick method to get your bearings. Push a short stick straight into the ground and angle it toward the sun so that the stick makes no shadow at all. Wait a little while until it casts a shadow of at least 6 inches long. The shadow will always be pointing east from the stick. A line at right angles crossing the shadow will be north-south.

Worldwide Web Resources

Camping Safety

www.thevision.net/dreamer/cpsafety.html

This valuable Web site for campers, which includes such diverse topics as preventing sunburn, recognizing poisonous plants, and dealing with snakes and other unwanted "critters."

Boy Scouts of America

www.bsa.scouting.org/cgi/tip.cgi

The Boy Scouts of America provide this Web site with camping and outdoor tips that will be helpful to any outdoor enthusiast.

National Forest Campground Guide

www.gorp.com

This Web site provides a quick access to a list of National Forests and associated campground information.

Dr. Scott Gibbs is a neurosurgeon and editor-in-chief of Mosby's Medical Surfari. You may e-mail questions to him at drgibbs@semissourian.com