July is usually the most viper bite intensive period of the year, and 2021 does not seem to go against the trend.
The Poison Information Center has received 622 calls about adder bites so far this year, of which 267 this month.
That is more than during the same period last year, which is largely due to the weather.
It has been warmer this year, which can now be seen in the statistics.
Pay attention in the woods
- I do not think it is the case that there are more vipers, but when the weather is good, people and snakes end up in the same place.
They like to lie and sunbathe while we are out and about.
They are also a little duller when it is hot and do not get away before we happen to touch them or step on them, says chief physician Johanna Nordmark Grass at the Poison Information Center.
She does not think that one should be very worried because most people who are out in the woods and on the ground do not get bitten by vipers.
But think that you should try to look for where you put your hands and feet when you are out and moving in tall grass.
On a short-cut lawn, she considers the risk of being bitten to be minimal.
"Do not try to suck out the poison"
If you are bitten, you should try to stay calm.
Do not stress, but get to the hospital as soon as you can, according to Johanna Nordmark Grass.
- You can get really bad and if you feel that you get dizzy or have a stomach ache and start vomiting, you should call an ambulance, she says.
You should not drive to the hospital yourself or try to "solve" the situation on your own by sucking out the poison or lacing off an arm or leg.
- You have a lot of bacteria in the oral cavity, so in the worst case you cause yourself a real infection in the wound if you try to suck out a poison.
And if you try to lace up an arm or a leg, there is a risk that you tighten too hard and impede circulation.
And it does not help a bit, says the doctor.