7/28/11 OAUSA Net - Outdoor Medicine for the Summer

[DaveK]

Tonight's net will deal with outdoor medicine for the summertime. Our guest will be Dr. Aaron, KI6OPC. Some of the topics will include:

-hydration and some new information on some old studies
-dangerous plants, how to avoid and treat exposures
-sunburn prevention and treatment
-muscle cramping, how to avoid and treatment
-snake bite treatments
-must have first aid items


We will also discuss a new threat which has popped up here in So Cal of which hikers and campers should be aware. It is a plant which goes by the name of the Poodle Dog Bush. Apparently it has been most recently spotted in the hills of La Cañada Flintridge. It is known as a "fire follower," meaning it typically appears just after fires. We have seen many fires in the last several years including the 2009 Station Fire.

Also check out this site re US Army research on heat issues: https://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/disco ... fault.aspx

Reactions to the plant are similar to poison oak and can include symptoms such as swelling, itching, blistering and rash, sometimes lasting as much as two weeks. This is what it looks like (from the US Forest Service):

poodle-dog bush+U.S.+Forest+Service.jpg (148.44 KiB) Viewed 1708 times

This will be a great opportunity to get some good advice from our resident MD. Join us at 7:30 PM.

[gon2srf]

That Poodle Dog Bush is one good looking poisonous plant. Thanks for the warning.

[xtatik]

Back in 04' the stuff (we called it Turricula) was growing all over San Diego county following their fires as well.
Phacelia (Scorpionweed) is another indigenous plant having a similar effect. Unlike Poison Oak, my buddy's hunting dogs would get into it (Turricula and Phacelia) and have horrible reactions around their mouths and eyes.