What are the symptoms of a black scorpion sting? How can it be treated? When should one seek medical help? Explore the comprehensive details on black scorpion sting and find the answers to your questions.

The Dangers of Black Scorpion Stings: Understanding Symptoms and Causes

Scorpion stings can be a real cause for concern, with the potential for severe complications. The black scorpion, also known as the bark scorpion (Centruroides), is the most dangerous species found in the United States, capable of delivering a venom potent enough to cause life-threatening reactions. These scorpions, typically 2-3 inches in length and yellow-brown or orange in color, are primarily found in the southwestern states.

Recognizing the Warning Signs: Symptoms to Watch Out For

If a person experiences any of the following symptoms after a scorpion sting, they require immediate medical attention:

• Difficulty breathing
• Drooling
• Difficulty swallowing
• Seizures or muscle jerking
• Hives and swelling over the body
• Difficulty standing
• Unconsciousness

First Aid and Emergency Response: Treating a Scorpion Sting

If a person suspects they have been stung by a scorpion, the first step is to wash the sting site with soap and water. They should then contact a healthcare provider or Poison Control for further guidance and instructions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the following steps for adults:

1. Contact a healthcare provider or Poison Control for instructions and advice related to the sting.
2. Apply ice to the sting site to help with pain and swelling.
3. Remain calm and relaxed.
4. Avoid taking any sort of sedative.

Caring for Children: Tailoring the Response to the Scorpion Sting

When a child is stung by a scorpion, the response may vary depending on the severity of the symptoms. According to Seattle Children’s Hospital, if the child experiences only mild symptoms like pain, numbness, or tingling around the sting site, self-care may be sufficient. However, if the parent or caregiver is concerned or if the child’s last tetanus shot was more than 10 years ago, they should inform a doctor of the sting. Additionally, if skin flushing starts to spread after 24 hours, it is advisable to call a doctor.

Seeking Emergency Care: When to Call 911 for a Scorpion Sting

A person should call 911 if an adult or child experiences the following symptoms after a scorpion sting:

• Muscle jerking or spasms
• Difficulty swallowing, drooling
• Leg weakness
• Unconsciousness
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling or hives over the body

If there is any doubt about the severity of the symptoms, it is better to err on the side of caution and seek immediate emergency medical assistance.

Understanding the Severity Levels: Grading the Scorpion Sting Reaction

The treatment for a scorpion sting will depend on the severity of the reaction, which can be classified into different grades:

• Grade 1: Pain, swelling, and other symptoms are limited to the area of the sting. This only requires pain management.
• Grade 2: Pain and some paralysis at or near the site, closer to where the limb connects to the body. Treatment often includes pain management and may involve anti-anxiety medication.
• Grade 3: All the symptoms of grade 2, alongside flailing limbs, an arching back (skeletal neuromuscular dysfunction), or increased saliva production, blurry vision, and rapid movement of the tongue (cranial nerve issues). Treatment includes the use of pain relievers, anxiety medications, and antivenom.
• Grade 4: Both skeletal neuromuscular dysfunction and cranial nerve issues, as well as organ failure, hyperthermia, or pulmonary edema. Antivenom is critical for people experiencing these symptoms.

Prevalence and Severity: Understanding the Risks of Scorpion Stings

While scorpion stings can be painful, the majority of cases do not result in serious complications. According to Poison Control, fewer than 10% of all scorpion stings will cause severe symptoms. Young children and older adults are the most likely to develop life-threatening reactions to a sting. Around 85% of bark scorpion stings cause only a mild, local reaction, while 10% cause waves of pain in the legs or arms, and 5% cause serious symptoms.

What to do, treatment, and when to seek help

Scorpion stings can be painful, but in most cases, they will not cause any major complications. What a person should do after a scorpion sting depends on the type of scorpion and the symptoms that follow.

If a person experiences any of the following symptoms after a scorpion sting, they need immediate medical attention:

• difficulty breathing
• drooling
• difficulty swallowing
• seizures or muscle jerking
• hives and swelling over the body
• difficulty standing
• unconsciousness

The only scorpion in the United States that has venom potent enough to cause serious complications is the bark scorpion (Centruroides). It is 2–3 inches long and either yellow-brown or orange.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), experiencing a sting from the bark scorpion can cause life threatening complications.

Although people can find scorpions in several areas of the U. S., the bark scorpion tends to reside in southwestern states.

Keep reading for more information on how to treat a scorpion sting.

Share on PinterestIn most instances, scorpion bites do not cause any major complications.

If a person thinks that they have experienced a scorpion sting, they should wash the sting site with water and soap. They can also call Poison Control for guidance on 800-222-1222.

The CDC recommend that adults take the following steps if a scorpion stings them:

• Contact a healthcare provider or Poison Control for instructions and advice related to the sting.
• Apply ice to the sting site to help with pain and swelling.
• Remain calm and relaxed.
• Avoid taking any sort of sedative.

According to Seattle Children’s Hospital, if a scorpion stings a child, what a parent or caregiver should do depends on their reaction to the sting.

For example, they recommend self-care if mild symptoms — such as pain, numbness, or tingling — occur only around the site of the sting.

However, if a parent or caregiver is concerned, or if the child’s last tetanus shot was more than 10 years ago, they should inform a doctor of the sting.

They may also want to call a doctor if skin flushing starts to spread after 24 hours from the sting.

A person should call 911 if an adult or child experiences the following:

• muscle jerking or spasms
• difficulty swallowing
• drooling
• leg weakness
• unconsciousness
• difficulty breathing
• swelling or hives over the body

If in doubt, a person should call 911 or seek emergency help immediately.

According to Poison Control, those with the highest risk of developing severe symptoms are young children. A 2019 article adds that older adults are also at risk of developing severe symptoms.

Treatment varies based on the species of scorpion that stung the person. However, if in doubt, a person should seek medical care as soon as possible.

For mild symptoms, such as pain and numbness at the site of the sting, a person may not need much care. They may wish to perform self-care that involves:

• cleaning the area around the sting
• applying a cold pack or compress
• taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggest elevating the affected body part so that it is at the same level as the heart.

However, if a more dangerous species — such as a bark scorpion — stings a person, treatment will vary depending on the severity of sting:

Grade 1

This means that pain, swelling, and other symptoms are limited to the area of the sting. This only requires pain management.

Grade 2

There is pain and some paralysis at or near the site and closer to where the limb connects to the body.

Treatment often includes pain management and may involve antianxiety medication.

Grade 3

This can include all the symptoms of grade 2, alongside flailing limbs and an arching back (skeletal neuromuscular dysfunction) or increased saliva production, blurry vision, and rapid movement of the tongue (cranial nerve issues).

Treatment includes the use of pain relievers, anxiety medications, and antivenom.

Grade 4

A person will experience both skeletal neuromuscular dysfunction and cranial nerve issues, as well as organ failure, hyperthermia, or pulmonary edema.

Antivenom is critical for people experiencing these symptoms. However, according to Poison Control, many hospitals do not stock the antivenom, and it can be very expensive.

For most stings, symptoms will consist of mostly local reactions to the sting. Fewer than 10% of all scorpion stings will cause severe symptoms.

Young children and older adults are most likely to develop life threatening reactions to a sting.

Around 85% of bark scorpion stings cause only a mild, local reaction. About 10% cause waves of pain in the legs or arms, and around 5% cause serious symptoms.

Mild symptoms of a scorpion sting may include:

• tingling, pain, or numbness at the site of the sting
• limited or no swelling
• limited or no skin flushing
• tingling, pain, or numbness that travels up the arm or leg
• symptoms that typically only last for about 24 hours

If serious symptoms occur, they will develop within 2–3 hours of the sting. The first serious symptom may be rapid eye movements or muscle twitching.

Other serious symptoms and complications may include:

• jerky eye movements
• blurry vision
• muscle twitching
• difficulty breathing
• difficulty swallowing
• slurred speech

According to Poison Control, there has not been a reported death from a scorpion sting for nearly 50 years.

However, complications can occur. If a person has reached the grade 4 classification scale, they may experience:

• high body temperatures
• pulmonary edema
• multiple organ failure
• rhabdomyolysis, which occurs when the muscle tissues break down and release a protein called myoglobin into the blood

People in the U.S. who are most at risk of a bark scorpion sting live or work in southwestern areas of the country, including the following states:

• Arizona
• Utah
• Texas
• Nevada
• California
• New Mexico

The CDC recommend that people at risk of exposure, such as those working in outside areas, take the following steps:

• Wear leather gloves.
• Wear long sleeves.
• Shake out clothing, shoes, and boots before putting them on.

A person should also carry an epinephrine auto-injector if they have a history of allergic reactions to insect bites or stings.

Scorpions are most active at night. Therefore, people should exercise extra caution working outside at night.

A person should see a doctor if they have symptoms that get worse within 2–3 hours of the sting.

A person needs emergency medical care if they have severe, potentially life threatening conditions that develop immediately following a sting.

According to the 2019 article, in most cases, a scorpion sting will only cause local pain, burning, or tingling. In these cases, a person will likely only require home treatment, which can include taking pain relievers, cleaning the sting, and applying ice.

If the symptoms are more serious, such as spreading pain or difficulty breathing, a person will likely need medical attention.

With proper medical treatment, a person is likely to make a full recovery.

In rare cases and among vulnerable populations, including young children and older adults, a person may die from a scorpion sting.

Scorpion stings are not usually a life threatening issue.

After experiencing a sting, a person should wash the area with soap and water and contact Poison Control for guidance.

Often, a person will only need home care, such as pain relievers and ice. However, more serious cases may require additional medication and treatment.

With proper medical care, most people should recover from a serious case.

People most at risk of experiencing a sting from a bark scorpion are those who live or work in the southwestern areas of the U.S. They may wish to take extra precautions while working outside.

What to do, treatment, and when to seek help

Scorpion stings can be painful, but in most cases, they will not cause any major complications. What a person should do after a scorpion sting depends on the type of scorpion and the symptoms that follow.

If a person experiences any of the following symptoms after a scorpion sting, they need immediate medical attention:

• difficulty breathing
• drooling
• difficulty swallowing
• seizures or muscle jerking
• hives and swelling over the body
• difficulty standing
• unconsciousness

The only scorpion in the United States that has venom potent enough to cause serious complications is the bark scorpion (Centruroides). It is 2–3 inches long and either yellow-brown or orange.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), experiencing a sting from the bark scorpion can cause life threatening complications.

Although people can find scorpions in several areas of the U.S., the bark scorpion tends to reside in southwestern states.

Keep reading for more information on how to treat a scorpion sting.

Share on PinterestIn most instances, scorpion bites do not cause any major complications.

If a person thinks that they have experienced a scorpion sting, they should wash the sting site with water and soap. They can also call Poison Control for guidance on 800-222-1222.

The CDC recommend that adults take the following steps if a scorpion stings them:

• Contact a healthcare provider or Poison Control for instructions and advice related to the sting.
• Apply ice to the sting site to help with pain and swelling.
• Remain calm and relaxed.
• Avoid taking any sort of sedative.

According to Seattle Children’s Hospital, if a scorpion stings a child, what a parent or caregiver should do depends on their reaction to the sting.

For example, they recommend self-care if mild symptoms — such as pain, numbness, or tingling — occur only around the site of the sting.

However, if a parent or caregiver is concerned, or if the child’s last tetanus shot was more than 10 years ago, they should inform a doctor of the sting.

They may also want to call a doctor if skin flushing starts to spread after 24 hours from the sting.

A person should call 911 if an adult or child experiences the following:

• muscle jerking or spasms
• difficulty swallowing
• drooling
• leg weakness
• unconsciousness
• difficulty breathing
• swelling or hives over the body

If in doubt, a person should call 911 or seek emergency help immediately.

According to Poison Control, those with the highest risk of developing severe symptoms are young children. A 2019 article adds that older adults are also at risk of developing severe symptoms.

Treatment varies based on the species of scorpion that stung the person. However, if in doubt, a person should seek medical care as soon as possible.

For mild symptoms, such as pain and numbness at the site of the sting, a person may not need much care. They may wish to perform self-care that involves:

• cleaning the area around the sting
• applying a cold pack or compress
• taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggest elevating the affected body part so that it is at the same level as the heart.

However, if a more dangerous species — such as a bark scorpion — stings a person, treatment will vary depending on the severity of sting:

Grade 1

This means that pain, swelling, and other symptoms are limited to the area of the sting. This only requires pain management.

Grade 2

There is pain and some paralysis at or near the site and closer to where the limb connects to the body.

Treatment often includes pain management and may involve antianxiety medication.

Grade 3

This can include all the symptoms of grade 2, alongside flailing limbs and an arching back (skeletal neuromuscular dysfunction) or increased saliva production, blurry vision, and rapid movement of the tongue (cranial nerve issues).

Treatment includes the use of pain relievers, anxiety medications, and antivenom.

Grade 4

A person will experience both skeletal neuromuscular dysfunction and cranial nerve issues, as well as organ failure, hyperthermia, or pulmonary edema.

Antivenom is critical for people experiencing these symptoms. However, according to Poison Control, many hospitals do not stock the antivenom, and it can be very expensive.

For most stings, symptoms will consist of mostly local reactions to the sting. Fewer than 10% of all scorpion stings will cause severe symptoms.

Young children and older adults are most likely to develop life threatening reactions to a sting.

Around 85% of bark scorpion stings cause only a mild, local reaction. About 10% cause waves of pain in the legs or arms, and around 5% cause serious symptoms.

Mild symptoms of a scorpion sting may include:

• tingling, pain, or numbness at the site of the sting
• limited or no swelling
• limited or no skin flushing
• tingling, pain, or numbness that travels up the arm or leg
• symptoms that typically only last for about 24 hours

If serious symptoms occur, they will develop within 2–3 hours of the sting. The first serious symptom may be rapid eye movements or muscle twitching.

Other serious symptoms and complications may include:

• jerky eye movements
• blurry vision
• muscle twitching
• difficulty breathing
• difficulty swallowing
• slurred speech

According to Poison Control, there has not been a reported death from a scorpion sting for nearly 50 years.

However, complications can occur. If a person has reached the grade 4 classification scale, they may experience:

• high body temperatures
• pulmonary edema
• multiple organ failure
• rhabdomyolysis, which occurs when the muscle tissues break down and release a protein called myoglobin into the blood

People in the U.S. who are most at risk of a bark scorpion sting live or work in southwestern areas of the country, including the following states:

• Arizona
• Utah
• Texas
• Nevada
• California
• New Mexico

The CDC recommend that people at risk of exposure, such as those working in outside areas, take the following steps:

• Wear leather gloves.
• Wear long sleeves.
• Shake out clothing, shoes, and boots before putting them on.

A person should also carry an epinephrine auto-injector if they have a history of allergic reactions to insect bites or stings.

Scorpions are most active at night. Therefore, people should exercise extra caution working outside at night.

A person should see a doctor if they have symptoms that get worse within 2–3 hours of the sting.

A person needs emergency medical care if they have severe, potentially life threatening conditions that develop immediately following a sting.

According to the 2019 article, in most cases, a scorpion sting will only cause local pain, burning, or tingling. In these cases, a person will likely only require home treatment, which can include taking pain relievers, cleaning the sting, and applying ice.

If the symptoms are more serious, such as spreading pain or difficulty breathing, a person will likely need medical attention.

With proper medical treatment, a person is likely to make a full recovery.

In rare cases and among vulnerable populations, including young children and older adults, a person may die from a scorpion sting.

Scorpion stings are not usually a life threatening issue.

After experiencing a sting, a person should wash the area with soap and water and contact Poison Control for guidance.

Often, a person will only need home care, such as pain relievers and ice. However, more serious cases may require additional medication and treatment.

With proper medical care, most people should recover from a serious case.

People most at risk of experiencing a sting from a bark scorpion are those who live or work in the southwestern areas of the U.S. They may wish to take extra precautions while working outside.

90,000 scorpions in Thailand. Scorpion queen. What to do with a bite.

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/ Land of smiles

In countries with a hot climate, scorpions are not uncommon, and Thailand is no exception. Fortunately, not all species of these arachnid arthropods have poison that is deadly to humans. The bite of many of them is aimed at insects, and its effect on people is comparable only to that of a bee. But some Thai scorpions are still able to send to the forefathers, and therefore, when traveling around the kingdom, one should be careful and exercise caution. Tourists with children should be especially careful.

Where can you find a scorpion?

It should be noted that during the day scorpions prefer solitude and are active only after dark. People are not of interest to them, and therefore, if you do not plan to go to the forest for a walk under the moon, most likely there is nothing to be afraid of.

However, it happens that in the heat of the hunt or in search of shelter, the unlucky representatives of the scorpion brethren crawl into houses, gardens or hide under stones on the beaches. Therefore, unplanned collisions with them sometimes happen. There are cases when people found surprises in clothes, shoes or folds of bed linen thrown on the floor. At the same time, scorpions do not have any malicious intent at all. It’s just that sometimes they don’t hide very well, being frightened at a meeting no less than people, and from an excess of feelings they begin to sting.

The Scorpion Queen

The real scorpion queen lives in Thailand. A pretty girl named Kanchanu Kaetkau is listed in the Guinness Book of Records thanks to two records. Making the first, she kept a huge, 18 cm long, scorpion in her mouth for two minutes and three seconds. At the same time, the arachnid himself had nothing against such intimate communication and never stung the hostess.

Scorpion Queen Kanchanu Kaetkau

The second record is that Ms. Kaetkau spent more than a month (33 days) in a glass, hermetic cube in the company of 3400 scorpions. While this cute girl is not setting records, she is doing a show with her pets at the Bangkok Tiger Zoo.

How do you know if a scorpion is dangerous?

There is an opinion that the smaller the front claws and the larger the piriform process with a sting, the more dangerous their owner.

If stung by a scorpion

Scorpion venom is especially dangerous for children, the elderly and people prone to allergies. They may develop asthma attacks and convulsions. In addition, the consequences of a bite can vary depending on the location of the lesion. So bites to the neck and head are the most dangerous and require immediate medical attention.

Most often, scorpions sting is not very painful. But then the bite site gradually swells and hurts for several hours or days. Getting into the blood of a person, the poison has an effect on the nervous and cardiovascular systems of the body. At first, the victim feels severe anxiety, later migraine, dizziness, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting may appear. Later, muscle spasms and even convulsions can be observed.

Large black scorpion

When stung by a black fat-tailed scorpion, the victims feel intense burning pain, the area of ​​which begins to increase over time and even spread to nearby parts of the body. After half an hour, the gums and tongue begin to hurt. There may be cramps in the limbs, profuse sweating, a drop in blood pressure, and difficulty breathing. Characteristically, twitching of the muscles of the shoulder girdle and face is a hallmark of a black fat-tailed scorpion sting, especially when the victim tries to swallow or chew.

First Aid

The bite should be cauterized as soon as possible with the head of a freshly extinguished match. This will destroy some of the poison. If a scorpion has stung a limb, it is immobilized (the arm can be tied to the body). Well, if there are antihistamines nearby. They will help stop the allergic reaction, or at least slow it down.

Then you should seek medical help as soon as possible, especially if your abuser is a black scorpion. You may need to administer an antidote.

Scorpions in Turkey – Pohod v Gory

#Lifehacks

Turkey is an amazing country with a variety of landscapes and architectural monuments, rich history, stunning nature, and not just a country of beach holidays by the beautiful seas: the Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara and Black.

What you need to know about hiking in Turkey

What you need to know first before going to Turkey? What can you encounter in trekking in the mountains?

Any mountains require a respectful and attentive attitude.

This short article is about scorpions in Turkey. .

Scorpions belong to the order of arthropods from the class of arachnids (Arachnida). About 1750 species of scorpions are known, but the poison of only about 50 of them is dangerous to humans.

Scorpion venom is a strong allergen and toxin. In Turkey, scorpion stings are not fatal. You should only be seriously concerned if you have a severe allergic reaction to their venom.

Each person has an individual reaction to scorpion stings. At the same time, age, anthropometric and height-weight data do not matter. For one person, a scorpion sting will be very unpleasant, but will not lead to serious consequences, for another it can cause serious problems.

The site of the bite matters. The least dangerous places on the human body with a scorpion bite are the heel and leg.

There are several types of scorpions: black, brown and yellow. The darker the color of the scorpion, the more poisonous its bite. The size of the scorpion doesn’t matter.

Please don’t tempt fate or let things take their course if you get bitten by a scorpion.

Primary manifestations of intoxication:

• severe burning pain
• edema
• tissue hyperemia
• hyperpathy
• rare occurrence of blisters with serous contents

Scorpion venom does not penetrate deep into body tissues and can be thermally destroyed immediately after being bitten. Therefore, cauterization of the bite site with three matches in the first few minutes after the bite is considered an effective remedy.

Then it is necessary to bandage the bite in such a way as to prevent the spread of poison throughout the body. Avoid movement, preferably lie down. The pain will roll in tides, then growing, but somewhat subsiding. Drink plenty of fluids, preferably tea. The victim should be hospitalized as soon as possible. The hospital should provide qualified assistance and inject serum against a scorpion sting.

How to avoid scorpion stings?

• Do not walk barefoot in untested areas. Better if the legs are closed.
• Be careful where you step or sit.
• If you are collecting brushwood or firewood for the camp, you need to carefully inspect it. Check if there are any representatives of the fauna on them.
• Keep the tent closed at all times to avoid unpleasant awakenings. Very good tents with a fine-meshed mosquito net.
• Do not leave any things and shoes in free access, outside the tent or in the vestibule.

You will prevent an unpleasant situation if you follow these simple recommendations.

If you are still not afraid of scorpions, then we invite you to go with us to Turkey, on a hike along the Lycian Way.