By Deanna Neff HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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FRIDAY, Aug. 22, 2025 (HealthDay News) \u2014 Authorities in Tennessee reported a rare and tragic death after a hiker was bitten by a rattlesnake.<\/p>\n
Fatal snakebites are extremely uncommon in the United States, with a nationwide average of about five deaths annually, according to the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health<\/a>.<\/p>\n The incident occurred on Aug. 8 in Savage Gulf State Park<\/a> in Gruetli-Laager, Tennessee, a scenic area with some 60 miles of hiking trails that are home to various snake species, The<\/em> New York Times<\/em> reports.<\/p>\n According to a witness, the man, who has not been publicly identified, picked up what is believed to be a timber rattlesnake and was bitten on his hand. Despite receiving immediate CPR from emergency medical workers who reached him about a half-mile along the trail, he later died at a hospital, according to the report.<\/p>\n Why the hiker handled the snake remains unknown.<\/p>\n Experts suspect the man’s death was not due to the effects of the snake’s venom, but rather to a severe allergic reaction. <\/p>\n “Some people just may be plain allergic to snake venom,” said William Sutton<\/a>, an assistant professor of agricultural and environmental sciences at Tennessee State University in Nashville, who studies snakes.<\/p>\n He noted that an allergic reaction to the venom could lead to anaphylaxis<\/a>, a life-threatening condition that can cause the airways to narrow and blood pressure to drop.<\/p>\n Timber rattlesnakes<\/a> are usually gray, with a black, orange, brown, pink or yellow stripe down their back, and black coloring near their rattle. Their rattle shakes and makes a distinct warning sound when they perceive a threat.<\/p>\n However, experts stress that snakes are generally not looking for a fight. <\/p>\n “Generally, if you don\u2019t bother them, they won\u2019t bother you,” Sutton told The Times<\/em>. “They don\u2019t really want to have to bite you.” Snakes would rather save their venom for prey that they can eat but perceive humans as a threat.<\/p>\n Found mostly along the eastern half of the U.S., timber rattlers can grow 2 to 5 feet or more in length.<\/p>\n Authorities and experts urge hikers to be mindful of their surroundings.<\/p>\n “If you do come across a snake, give it a wide berth,” Sutton advised, emphasizing the importance of always keeping an eye on the hiking trail and its edges.<\/p>\n Snake bites can be treated. If bitten by a snake, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> recommends that people:<\/p>\n Seek emergency care as soon as possible to start antivenom treatment, if needed. Have someone else drive.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Try to photograph the snake from a safe distance, which may help providers plan a course of treatment.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Keep calm.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Apply first aid while waiting for someone to take them to the hospital:<\/p>\n Lie or sit down with the bite in a neutral position of comfort.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Remove rings and watches before swelling starts.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Wash the area with soap and water.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Cover the wound with a clean, dry dressing.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Mark the leading edge of tenderness\/swelling on the skin and use a pen to write the time alongside it.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n More information<\/strong> <\/p>\n The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information about venomous snakes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
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