Beware these beautiful flowers that can kill
Few of us are familiar with the seemingly innocent but mischievously potent poisonous flowers readily found nationwide. Ingestion of such plants is one of the top 10 causes of poisoning worldwide.
Are tarantulas dangerous?
Have you ever wondered what gives tarantuals their bad rep and why the site of one of these gargantuan spiders makes our skin crawl? You may be surprised to find out that the answer is not so obvious!
How to treat scorpion stings
Although the scorpion's venom is usually relatively harmless to humans, there are species of scorpions that can be lethal. Here's what to do if you get stung.
How to sled safely
What can you do to minimize your risk of getting hurt while still enjoying sledding on the new snowfall?
Preventing and treating rattlesnake bites
Most snake bites occur in the summer months when both snakes and humans are most active outdoors, with the greatest number of venomous bites occurring in southern and western states with warmer climates. Here's how to prevent and treat a snake bite.
How to prevent and treat skier’s thumb
Skier’s thumb is an injury to the ligament that runs between the two bones on the interior side of your thumb and holds the bones of the thumb together. The injury can occur when you fall on your outstretched hands while holding a ski pole, causing the thumb to either bend backwards or too far out to the side.
Why the wrist is at risk in winter sports
Before the snow melts, get in all the snowboarding, ice-skating, skiing, snowball fights and sledding you can. Make sure to take precautions, though, so you don’t have to cut your fun short by having an unexpected slip on some ice!
Taking the chill out of chilblains
Chilblains, known more commonly as pernio, is a rare and painful response of our blood vessels to cold, specifically, in above freezing temperatures.
How wind chill makes you colder
What is really going on when a strong gust of wind picks up out of nowhere and makes it feel like the the temperature dropped 10 degrees – even though the reading on the thermometer has not changed?
How to prevent frostbite
Cold can be dangerous to our skin, muscles, nerves, and bones. Frostbite is the end result of cold-induced injury to our tissues, and it is much more common than one may think.
Are poinsettias poisonous?
There is a lot to get anxious about at Christmas time, but Poinsettia toxicity should not be at the top of your “naughty” list.
What are no-see-ums?
Biting midges can be a nuisance to campers, fishermen, hunters, hikers, gardeners, and others who spend time outdoors. Here's how to treat their bites.
How to remove a fishhook
Angling is one of the most popular sports in all the world, and fishhook injuries rank right up there with the most commonly treated outdoor sporting accidents. Here is how to treat them.
Using a mouthguard to protect your teeth
While helmets, goggles and kneepads protect your head and body, it's also important to protect your teeth. A mouthguard is an easy, reliable way to safeguard your teeth during sports and play.
Preventing and treating blisters
Q: My ankles and soles of my feet get very sore when I walk for two miles. What can I do?
How to prevent or cure athlete’s foot
Q: Are there any good ways to prevent or cure athlete's foot?
How do you treat chigger bites?
Q: What are red bugs and how do you treat them?
How to treat Tinea Versicolor rash?
Q: I get a blotchy rash on my chest and back in the summer that my doctor told me is something called “Tinea Versicolor.” What causes that and how can I treat it?
How to treat a knife cut
Q: What do you do for a knife cut?
My bike helmet seems to be causing acne
Q: Doc, I sometimes get a breakout of acne right where my bike helmet rubs against my chin. Is that normal? What can I do about it?
What causes rash under shin guards?
Q: Hey, Dr. K! I get a rash under my shin guards every time I play soccer. What can I do to make it go away?
Why does poison ivy cause a rash?
Q: What is it about poison ivy that makes it cause such a bad rash?
Learn how to remove a tick
Q: Any suggestions for removing a tick?
How to treat a blister
Q: Should I pop a blister and, if so, is there a "best" way to do it?
Got a wilderness first aid question?
Have a question about wilderness first aid? Want to be prepared for your next backcountry trek? Wilderness medicine expert "Dr. K." is here to help answer your questions.
Dr. Andrew C. Krakowski is the host of the boonDOCS Wilderness & Travel Medicine show on Outdoor Channel. He is the founder of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine's wilderness medicine program and currently works in the field of pediatric dermatology at the Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego. 
