Scorpion bites images. Scorpion Sting Treatment: Symptoms, First Aid, and Prevention Strategies
What are the symptoms of a scorpion sting. How to treat a scorpion sting at home. When to seek medical attention for a scorpion sting. What are effective prevention strategies against scorpion stings.
Understanding Scorpions: Nature’s Venomous Arachnids
Scorpions are fascinating yet feared creatures belonging to the arachnid family. With over 2,000 known species worldwide, these prehistoric arthropods have been roaming the Earth for millions of years. Despite their fearsome reputation, only about 30 species possess venom potent enough to pose a significant threat to humans.
Anatomy of a Scorpion
Scorpions possess a unique body structure that sets them apart from other arachnids. Their elongated bodies typically measure around 3 inches (7.5 cm), although some species can grow up to 7 inches (18 cm) in length. Key features include:
- Four pairs of legs
- Two large pincers (pedipalps) at the front
- A segmented tail culminating in a venomous stinger
- Colors ranging from translucent to yellow and various shades of brown
Is the bark scorpion the most dangerous species in the United States? Indeed, among the scorpions found in North America, the bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) is considered the most venomous and potentially dangerous to humans.
Geographical Distribution and Habitats of Scorpions
Scorpions have adapted to survive in various environments, but they primarily thrive in arid and semi-arid regions. In the United States, scorpions are most commonly encountered in the southwestern states, including:
- Arizona
- California
- New Mexico
- Texas
- Nevada
These resilient creatures often seek shelter under rocks, logs, and tree bark. They are also known to infiltrate human dwellings, particularly in areas where urban development encroaches upon their natural habitats.
Nocturnal Behavior and Adaptations
Scorpions are primarily nocturnal, emerging at night to hunt for prey. Their ability to fluoresce under ultraviolet light is a unique adaptation that has fascinated researchers for years. This characteristic allows them to detect and avoid harmful UV radiation, potentially contributing to their survival in harsh environments.
The Scorpion Sting Experience: Symptoms and Sensations
A scorpion sting is an experience most would prefer to avoid. The immediate sensation is often described as intensely painful, with victims reporting a sharp, burning pain that quickly spreads from the site of the sting. But what exactly happens when a scorpion’s venom enters the human body?
Immediate and Short-term Effects
The initial impact of a scorpion sting typically includes:
- Intense, localized pain
- Swelling and redness around the sting site
- Numbness and tingling sensations
- Muscle twitching or spasms
Systemic Symptoms in Severe Cases
In more severe cases, particularly with stings from highly venomous species, systemic symptoms may develop, including:
- Elevated blood pressure and heart rate
- Generalized weakness
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty swallowing
- Excessive salivation
- Respiratory distress
Can a scorpion sting be fatal? While deaths from scorpion stings are rare, they can occur, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, or individuals with compromised immune systems. The majority of fatalities are associated with anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, rather than the direct effects of the venom.
Anaphylaxis: A Potentially Life-Threatening Complication
Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur in response to a scorpion sting. It’s crucial to recognize the signs of anaphylaxis and seek immediate medical attention if they develop.
Recognizing Anaphylactic Symptoms
Key indicators of anaphylaxis include:
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Swelling of the throat or tongue
- Hives or widespread rash
- Dizziness or fainting
- Rapid or weak pulse
- Nausea and vomiting
How quickly can anaphylaxis develop after a scorpion sting? Anaphylactic reactions can occur within minutes of the sting or may be delayed by up to several hours. This unpredictability underscores the importance of monitoring for symptoms and seeking prompt medical care if concerns arise.
First Aid and Home Treatment for Scorpion Stings
While severe reactions to scorpion stings require professional medical intervention, many cases can be managed effectively with first aid and home treatment. Here’s a step-by-step guide to addressing a scorpion sting:
- Clean the affected area with mild soap and water to prevent infection.
- Apply a cold compress or ice pack to reduce pain and swelling.
- Elevate the affected limb to minimize swelling.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to manage pain.
- Consider taking an antihistamine to alleviate itching and minor allergic reactions.
- Apply hydrocortisone cream to the sting site to reduce inflammation.
Are there any home remedies that can neutralize scorpion venom? While various folk remedies exist, there is no scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness in neutralizing scorpion venom. The best approach is to focus on symptom management and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or persist.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While many scorpion stings can be managed at home, certain situations warrant immediate medical care:
- Signs of anaphylaxis or severe allergic reaction
- Stings in children or elderly individuals
- Persistent or worsening symptoms after 24-48 hours
- Stings from known highly venomous species
- Multiple stings
Medical Interventions and Antivenom Therapy
In cases of severe scorpion envenomation or complications, medical professionals may employ various interventions to manage symptoms and counteract the venom’s effects.
Supportive Care and Symptom Management
Medical treatment for scorpion stings often focuses on addressing specific symptoms and may include:
- Intravenous fluids to maintain hydration and blood pressure
- Pain management medications
- Muscle relaxants for severe muscle spasms
- Benzodiazepines to manage anxiety and agitation
- Oxygen therapy for respiratory distress
Antivenom Administration
Antivenom is a specialized treatment developed to neutralize the effects of scorpion venom. While not routinely used for all scorpion stings, it can be life-saving in severe cases, particularly for young children or when dealing with highly venomous species.
How effective is scorpion antivenom? When administered promptly in appropriate cases, scorpion antivenom can significantly reduce the severity and duration of symptoms. Studies have shown that antivenom can resolve systemic symptoms within hours of administration in many cases.
Prevention Strategies: Minimizing Scorpion Encounters
While understanding treatment options is crucial, preventing scorpion stings in the first place is the most effective strategy. Here are some practical measures to reduce the risk of scorpion encounters:
Home Protection Measures
- Seal cracks and crevices in walls, floors, and foundations to prevent scorpions from entering.
- Install weather stripping around doors and windows.
- Use scorpion-specific sticky traps in potential entry points and high-risk areas.
- Keep your yard free of debris, woodpiles, and dense vegetation that could provide shelter for scorpions.
Personal Precautions
- Wear closed-toe shoes, especially when walking outdoors at night.
- Shake out shoes, clothing, and bedding before use, particularly if stored in areas prone to scorpion activity.
- Use a blacklight or UV flashlight to inspect areas for scorpions, as they fluoresce under UV light.
- When camping or hiking in scorpion-prone areas, use protective gear such as thick-soled boots and gloves.
Can ultrasonic devices effectively repel scorpions? Despite marketing claims, there is little scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of ultrasonic devices in repelling scorpions. Traditional prevention methods and habitat modification remain the most reliable approaches.
Ecological Importance and Conservation of Scorpions
While often feared, scorpions play vital roles in their ecosystems and have significant scientific and medical value. Understanding their importance can foster a more balanced perspective on these ancient arachnids.
Ecosystem Contributions
Scorpions contribute to their environments in several ways:
- Pest control: They help regulate insect populations.
- Food source: Many animals, including birds and small mammals, prey on scorpions.
- Soil aeration: Their burrowing activities can improve soil quality.
Medical and Scientific Applications
Research into scorpion venom has led to several promising medical applications:
- Pain management: Compounds derived from scorpion venom show potential as novel analgesics.
- Cancer research: Certain venom components are being studied for their anti-tumor properties.
- Antibiotic development: Some scorpion-derived peptides exhibit antimicrobial activity.
How can we balance human safety concerns with scorpion conservation efforts? Educating the public about scorpion behavior, implementing targeted control measures in residential areas, and preserving natural habitats can help strike a balance between human safety and scorpion conservation.
Scorpion Myths and Misconceptions
Numerous myths and misconceptions surround scorpions, often leading to unnecessary fear and misinformation. Let’s address some common fallacies:
Debunking Popular Myths
- Myth: All scorpions are deadly.
Reality: Only a small percentage of scorpion species possess venom dangerous to humans. - Myth: Scorpions are aggressive and actively seek to sting humans.
Reality: Most scorpions sting only as a defensive measure when threatened or disturbed. - Myth: Smaller scorpions are more dangerous than larger ones.
Reality: Venom potency is not directly correlated with scorpion size; some small species can be highly venomous, while many large species have relatively mild venom. - Myth: Scorpions can jump to attack.
Reality: Scorpions lack the physical ability to jump; they are ground-dwelling arachnids.
Why do these myths persist despite scientific evidence to the contrary? Misconceptions about scorpions often stem from cultural fears, sensationalized media portrayals, and a lack of public education about these misunderstood creatures. Promoting accurate information and fostering a more nuanced understanding of scorpion biology and behavior is crucial in dispelling these persistent myths.
Global Perspectives: Scorpions Across Cultures
Scorpions have played significant roles in various cultures throughout history, influencing art, literature, and folklore around the world. Their symbolism and cultural significance offer fascinating insights into human-nature relationships across different societies.
Cultural Symbolism and Mythology
Scorpions feature prominently in the mythology and symbolism of many cultures:
- Ancient Egypt: The scorpion goddess Serket was associated with healing and protection.
- Mayan civilization: Scorpions were linked to self-sacrifice and rebirth.
- African folklore: In some traditions, scorpions are seen as symbols of evil or treachery.
- Western astrology: Scorpio, represented by the scorpion, is one of the zodiac signs.
Traditional Medicine and Practices
Despite the potential dangers, scorpions have been used in traditional medicine practices in various parts of the world:
- Chinese medicine: Scorpion venom has been used to treat conditions such as rheumatism and neurological disorders.
- Middle Eastern practices: Scorpion oil is sometimes used as a folk remedy for joint pain.
- Homeopathy: Diluted scorpion venom is used in some homeopathic treatments.
How have cultural perceptions of scorpions evolved with increased scientific understanding? While traditional beliefs and practices persist in many regions, growing scientific knowledge has led to a more nuanced view of scorpions in many societies. This evolution reflects a broader trend of integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific insights in approaching wildlife and natural resources.
Scorpion Sting Treatment
Scorpion Stings and How To Treat Them
Many people dread scorpions for good reasons. Scorpions deliver painful stings which cause high blood pressure, swelling and allergic reactions in some. While it’s possible to avoid scorpions, it’s also good to understand scorpion sting treatment for emergencies.
What Is a Scorpion?
A scorpion is a small arachnid of predatory nature. There are more than 2000 species of scorpions, though only around 30 species can deliver venom that is dangerous for human beings. Scorpions have elongated bodies with four pairs of legs distributed on either side of their bodies. They also have two pincers at the front and a long tail with a curved end. The stinger at the end of the tail delivers venom during stinging.
Scorpions vary in color, ranging from translucent to yellow and brown shades. The average size is around 3 inches (7.5 cm), though some may grow up to 7 inches (18 cm). In the United States, the bark scorpion is the most dangerous.
Where Can You Find Scorpions?
Most scorpions live in arid and semi-arid regions, under rocks, logs and tree barks. In the United States, you may interact with scorpions in the South West. They are common in Arizona, California and New Mexico. If you hike or camp in any of these states, watch out for scorpions.
How Does a Scorpion Sting Feel?
Scorpion stings are excruciating. The pain is sharp and intense and starts almost immediately after a sting. After being stung, you will experience swelling, numbness and a tingling sensation at stung part.
Other effects of scorpion stings include high blood pressure, an elevated heartbeat, muscle spasms, general weakness, numbness, blurry vision, a swollen tongue, seizures, salivation and difficulty breathing.
While a scorpions sting rarely kills, they can cause a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. The symptoms of this condition are similar to those of a bee sting. They include difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, hives, low blood pressure, dizziness or fainting and a weak or rapid pulse. If you or your loved one begin to experience such symptoms after a sting, call an ambulance, or head to the hospital immediately.
Scorpion Sting Treatment
Fortunately, scorpion stings rarely cause allergic reactions and can heal without a doctor’s help. Children and older adults are generally at a higher risk of succumbing to scorpion stings due to allergic reactions that may hinder breathing.
However, even if you’re neither a child or an older adult, it’s wise to consult your primary physician to treat the effects of the scorpion sting symptoms. If you can, capture the scorpion, drop it in hot scalding water to kill it and seal in in a bag when going to the doctor.
You can take sedatives to ease muscle spasms. Your health care provider may also administer IV medication to treat the pain, agitation and high blood pressure. There is also antivenom for scorpion stings, though rarely used.
However, antivenom is extremely useful to treat children, especially those in rural areas and with limited access to medical care. If you develop severe allergic reactions to a scorpion sting, your doctor may also recommend antivenom.
To treat a scorpion sting at home, begin by cleaning the stung area with mild soap and water. To ease the allergic reactions, take an antihistamine and apply hydrocortisone cream to reduce the swelling in the affected area. You can also press an ice pack to the sting to ease the pain. Over-the-counter pain killers such as ibuprofen are also excellent for relieving pain. After a sting, avoid eating foods that are difficult to swallow because your tongue may swell.
Most symptoms disappear after 48 hours without treatment. You should observe how you respond to the treatment and if the symptoms persist, call the doctor. For those with allergic reactions, symptoms may disappear four hours after taking an antivenom.
How to Avoid Scorpion Stings
If you live in areas with scorpions, it’s wiser to avoid them than to treat a scorpion sting. There are several ways to do this:
- Use traps indoors to catch any scorpions in your house. The sticky traps are the most effective way to capture any scorpions that slip into your home through the doors and windows.
- When walking around wooded areas, remember to cover yourself completely. Wear long pants, socks and boots, gloves and heavy clothing to avoid scorpion stings.
- Inspect any rocks, woodpiles and dark corners in your home for scorpions. If you’re going outside, avoid disturbing scorpions’ habitats, because most scorpions only attack when disturbed.
- Avoid walking barefoot, especially outside. Remember to also discourage kids from playing near scorpion infested areas.
- Always check your shoes for scorpions before wearing them.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to treat scorpion stings is essential, especially if you live in scorpion infested regions. If you suspect that you have a scorpion infestation, call the nearest pest control company for professional assistance. Always seek medical advice when necessary.
Other Stinging Pests:
Wasps Hornets Bees
Scorpion Stings: Symptoms & Treatment
Symptoms
Symptoms of a scorpion sting depend on the species. Here, we’ll look at four common scorpions in different parts of the world.
Desert Hairy Scorpion
Imagine hiking through the southwestern desert of the United States. As the sun begins to dip lower in the sky, you start to set up your camp, only to see several scorpions scuttling out of the ground. They are quite large; some of them even look as big as seven inches long!
But, if you are in this situation, don’t despair; the scorpions you’re seeing are most likely the desert hairy scorpion. Although large, this scorpion is not deadly to humans. Its stinger is filled with a mild venom that feels similar to a bee sting. Symptoms include a sharp pain at the site, accompanied by redness and swelling. Like a bee sting, this sting should resolve on its own. But, some humans can be allergic to the venom, which can be fatal. If a person experiences hives, difficulty breathing, nausea, or vomiting, they should receive emergency medical attention.
Bark Scorpion
Unlike the benign desert hairy scorpion, a sting by the bark scorpion can be quite serious. Living in the same area as the desert hairy scorpion, this is not a good one to come across in the wild. They are small, only 2.5 inches long, but they pack a big punch, being one of the most venomous scorpions in America.
If you are stung by a bark scorpion the symptoms can be intense. Starting with extreme pain at the sting site, the poison first causes swelling and redness in the area. Victims with severe reactions experience numbness, frothing at the mouth, respiratory failure, muscle twitching, and convulsions. These symptoms are more common in children that have been stung by a bark scorpion and require immediate medical attention.
Indian Red Scorpion
Even more deadly than the bark scorpion is the Indian red scorpion. Living in India and parts of Pakistan, it is one of the most deadly scorpions in the world. In extreme cases, it causes convulsions, loss of consciousness, fluid collection in the lungs, and heart dysfunction that can result in widespread organ failure. Due to their small size, children are especially vulnerable for fatal stings from the Indian red scorpion.
Deathstalker Scorpion
Up for the title of world’s most dangerous scorpion is the deathstalker scorpion, found in northern Africa and the Middle East. It lives up to its name for unfortunate victims who receive a sting. Its venom contains excitatory neurotoxins that amplify nervous system action, resulting in muscle convulsions, high blood pressure, and eventually organ failure.
Victims of a deathstalker scorpion sting will experience extreme pain at the injection site and swelling. Next, headaches may onset with nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea, and eventually, the venom may lead to fluid retention in the lungs and convulsions.
First Aid
In the event of a mild sting, you should clean the wound with soap and water. It’s important to apply a cold compress to the area for about 10 minutes as well. The cold helps prevent the spread of venom and will give some relief from the pain. Over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can also be used to manage pain. This management works fine for stings from scorpions like the desert hairy scorpion or the large emperor scorpion, as they produce pain and swelling but not life-threatening conditions.
In the event of a severe sting or during an allergic reaction, emergency medical treatment is required.
Medical Treatment
Severe stings tend to swell. All jewelry, such as rings, should be removed from the area immediately as they may cut off blood supply if the appendage grows larger. If the scorpion has been killed, it should be photographed or brought safely to the medical team for identification, as different scorpion bites may be treated differently. If a patient is having respiratory or cardiac problems, their vital signs should be stabilized immediately.
In cases of Indian red scorpion bites, treatment with the drug prazosin improved clinical outcomes. This drug is a vasodilator, meaning it decreases blood pressure, and it also blocks the release of adrenaline, both which counteract the effects of the venom. Patients may also be given other vasodilators or benzodiazepines that oppose the excitatory neurotoxins in the venom.
Prior to 2011, there was no FDA-approved antivenom antidote available for scorpion venom, only drugs to treat the symptoms. Today, the medication Anascorp is available as an antivenom to the bark scorpion’s venom. It saves lives, particularly of children, who are more vulnerable to the bark scorpion’s venom.
Lesson Summary
Some scorpion venom only creates mild symptoms, like that of the desert hairy scorpion, which causes swelling and pain at the sting site. Other scorpions, like the bark scorpion, can be more toxic, causing nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and even respiratory failure in extreme cases. The Indian red scorpion and deathstalker scorpion are some of the most deadly, causing respiratory and cardiac failure. First aid for mildly venomous scorpion stings includes cleaning the wound, applying a cold compress, and over-the-counter pain medication. For severe bites, medical professionals will stabilize vital signs and provide vasodilator medication or antivenom.
What Do You Really Know About Scorpion Stings?
There is a lot to love about living in Texas: warm weather, a strong economy, and convenient access to amenities. But there are pros and cons to every location… and scorpions are part of the package when you live in the great state of Texas.
Since there are a lot of scorpions here in Texas, it is important that you know how to prevent scorpion stings and protect your family from these pests. Today, we are covering everything you need to know about living in an area with scorpions.
Preventing Scorpion Stings
Scorpions are common in many areas, but they are especially prevalent if their natural habitat has been disturbed. For example, if you live near a new housing development, then the scorpions might be more active than normal since their nests have been disrupted.
Regardless of the risk of scorpions in your area, it is smart to be proactive about preventing stings. Follow these tips:
- Wear enclosed shoes, especially when walking outside at night
- Use protective gloves for yard work
- Wear long pants, socks, and enclosed shoes when moving firewood, rocks, or equipment outside
- Sleep in a tent instead of on the bare ground when camping
- If you are putting on shoes that were left in the garage, basement, or outside, always shake the shoes upside down before slipping your feet inside
- Shake out towels, clothing, and bedding before use
These tips are simple, but a proactive approach can save you and your family from the pain of being stung by a scorpion.
How to Prevent Scorpions from Entering Your Home
If there are scorpions in the area, then you are facing the risk of these pests sneaking into your home. Luckily, you can be proactive in managing your yard and home to reduce the risk of having these pests in your living space. Here are a few important prevention tips to help:
- Get Rid of Standing Water: Leaking hoses, buckets of water, and birdbaths can all be magnets to attract scorpions into your yard, which increases the likelihood of them coming inside.
- Seal Your Home: Inspect all doors and windows to identify areas that need to be sealed. If there are cracks and crevices, caulking can be used to block the areas where scorpions might gain access. Also, check utility lines, pipes, and all other areas around the outside of your home.
- Home Inspection: Set a reminder to do a home inspection. Look in closets, cabinets, and any other dark places in your home. Scorpions are often found in basements and garages.
- Home Perimeter: Keep the perimeter of your home clear of debris. Clean up bushes, overgrowth, or other landscaping concerns. Also, consider anything else in the yard that might bring in scorpions, such as trash, stones, boards, etc. For example, if you have a woodpile, it should be stored at least 30 feet away from the house.
- Turn Off the Lights: Turn off the outdoor lights at night to keep crickets away. Scorpions often feed on small insects, like crickets, so reducing the food source can help to minimize the scorpion population in your yard.
Insecticide products can also be used to eliminate scorpions. But remember that these products contain potent chemicals that could be dangerous to your health. It is best to hire an experienced pest control team for assistance.
What Happens if a Scorpion Stings Me?
If a scorpion stings you, then it is important to watch the symptoms so you can decide if medical treatment is needed. The specific symptoms and reactions will vary depending on the type of scorpion that stings you, as well as the way your body reacts to the venom.
Common scorpion sting symptoms include:
- Burning
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Pain
- Swelling
- Skin irritation
Out of the 90 species of scorpions found in the United States, only 18 species have been discovered in Texas. The severity of the sting depends on the species. The scorpion species in Texas aren’t regarded as dangerous because they won’t likely affect the nervous system and cause paralysis, cardiac irregularities, or death. But these stings can still be painful and result in mild or moderate reactions.
If a person has an allergic reaction or is stung by a venomous scorpion, then the symptoms can become more severe:
- Difficulty breathing
- Sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Increased heart rate
- Unusual eye, head, and neck movements
- Muscle twitching
What to Do in Case of a Scorpion Sting
In most cases, a sting from a scorpion won’t cause symptoms that require emergency medical services. If the symptoms are minor, then at-home remedies might be helpful. But it’s always smart to consult with a medical professional to avoid possible complications. Immediate first-aid can include:
- Clean: The wound should be cleaned using water and mild soap.
- Ice: Putting ice on the sting can reduce the pain and manage swelling.
- Jewelry: Remove jewelry or anything else that could interfere with circulation. The area will likely swell, which means that it needs to have room to expand. For example, if the hand is stung, then you should remove rings, bracelets, watches, etc.
- Medication: Taking an antihistamine can control the body’s response to the sting, helping to reduce the symptoms. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also be used. Always consult with a pharmacist or doctor if you are taking multiple medications.
- Cream: A topical hydrocortisone cream can be applied to the surface of the skin, which reduces the itching and inflammation.
Do I Need to See a Doctor for Scorpion Stings?
Yes, the best solution is to see a doctor when you or a loved one has been stung by a scorpion. Even if the symptoms are mild, don’t overlook the importance of seeking medical care to avoid complications from the sting.
If you notice that the symptoms are progressively getting worse, then you should go to the doctor right away. Always watch for signs of allergies. When a person has an allergic reaction, the best choice is to seek emergency services immediately, so treatment is available to prevent anaphylaxis.
Visiting an urgent care or ER can be helpful to stop the allergic response or provide necessary pain relief medication intravenously.
Special care should be taken for babies, children, and the elderly. For example, you should check your child’s immunization records to ensure that their tetanus vaccine is current. Children and the elderly can be more susceptible to complications from the sting, which is why it is recommended to visit a doctor if the child is under the age of 5. Monitor the person for complications such as vomiting, slurred speech, drooling, jerking body movements, arching back, foaming at the mouth, or closed eyes. When these symptoms are present, then it is essential that you call 911 or head to the ER without delay.
Urgent Care or ER Services for a Scorpion Sting
When you need medical services for a scorpion sting, then we invite you to visit our team of board-certified physicians at iCare ER and Urgent Care. We can start an IV with pain relief and antivenom medications if needed. One of the benefits that we offer is the combined access to both ER and urgent care services in the same office, giving you access to the optimal level of treatment for your needs.
Our experienced medical team is proud to offer local clinics in Frisco, Fort Worth, and Argyle. We provide 24/7 emergency care, as well as walk-in or by-appointment services in the urgent care. Call iCare ER and Urgent Care: (214) 407-8668.
Scorpions Poisoning in Dogs – Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
Scorpions are eight-legged arachnids that are commonly characterized by their curved tail that curves up and over their back. Scorpions can be found all over the world except for Antarctica, and many of the scorpions in the United States are in the southwest regions. Scorpions live in dry climates that are warm, namely California, New Mexico, and Arizona. They are known to be present in tropical and subtropical countries, and can live in rainforests, savanna, temperate force, caves, grasslands, and some species of the scorpion even live in snowy, mountainous regions.
Every scorpion has venom and uses it to paralyze prey in order to kill it. Contrary to popular belief, scorpions usually kill their prey by using force rather than venom. The venom of the scorpion is not considered to be life-threatening to humans or animals, but it does kill smaller prey. Scorpion venom is made up of enzyme inhibitors, neurotoxins and other compounds, is stored in sacs of glands, and is only released by the scorpion at specific amounts. There are over 1,000 species of this arachnid.
Even though the venom of the scorpion is not so toxic, it does cause pain and side effects. There is one species of scorpion known as the C. exilicauda that is highly poisonous with its venom affecting the central nervous system. This scorpion is commonly located in the very dry, southwest regions of the United States.
Scorpions poisoning in dogs occurs when the venom of the scorpion penetrates into the dog after the sting. The compounds that make up the venom cause it to be poisonous.
Scorpion Stings
Author: Jessica Slim, MD, MPH, PGY3 in Emergency Medicine, Denver Health Medical Center
Editor: Rahul Patwari, MD
Objectives
Upon completing this module, you should be able to:
- Recognize the clinical presentation of Centruroides excilicauda in the U.S.
- Understand the key treatment principles of Centruroides exilicauda scorpion stings.
Introduction
Frontal view of a bark scorpion in a defensive posture
Centruroides exilicauda (previously known as Centruroides sculpturatus) is the only scorpion in the United States with venom potent enough to produce a life-threatening illness. It is found throughout Arizona and other adjacent areas in the Southwestern United States, including parts of Texas small areas of California as well as part of Northern Mexico. Scorpions can be found outside their typical range of distribution, typically when they crawl into luggage, boxes, or containers and are transported elsewhere.
Centruroides exilicauda is unique in that it is a climbing scorpion and never burrows. The common name “bark scorpion” refers to the species preference to live in or near trees. It measures 4 to 7 cm in length depending on maturity and varies in color from yellow to brown. The bark scorpion has a pair of slender pincers and a segmented tail that has a poisonous spike at the end called a telson which contains the venom apparatus which stings rather than bites. They are not typically aggressive and usually only sting when handled or threatened.
In the United States, Centruroides exilicauda stings are associated with major neurologic toxicity, especially in young children. Supportive care is the key component of management. Antivenom therapy with equine derived Fab fragments reduces the duration of symptoms. Centruroides antivenom is available in Mexico; however, in the United States, its use is restricted to that of an approved investigational drug.
Mechanism of Toxicity
Centruroides exilicauda venom contains neurotoxin that increases sodium channel permeability resulting in sodium channel activation and cell membrane depolarization. This results in over-stimulation of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, causing excessive acetylcholine and catecholamine release.
Presentation
After envenomation, symptoms may begin immediately, progress, and peak to maximum severity within several hours, and may persist for one to two days. The patient often presents with severe sensitivity to touch at the site (tap sign). Numbness, tingling, anxiety, nausea/vomiting, and blurred vision are common findings. Characteristic signs of envenomation include hypersalivation, abnormal roving eye movements (chaotic multidirectional conjugate saccades), fasciculations, and clonus. Hyperthermia, hypertension, tachycardia and excessive respiratory secretions are consistent with a cholinergic syndrome. Mental status is typically preserved. Depending on the severity of envenomation, patients can ultimately develop dysrhythmias, catecholamine-induced myocarditis, myocardial ischemia and cardiopulmonary arrest. Although adults appear to be envenomed more often, children are more likely to develop severe illness requiring intensive supportive care.
Diagnostic Testing
The diagnosis of Centruroides scorpion sting is based upon clinical findings including recent visit to or living in an endemic region for the scorpion, history of a scorpion sting (although often not present) and characteristic findings of envenomation. As with spider bites, there is no single diagnostic test that is helpful in the diagnosis of scorpion envenomation.
Differential Diagnosis
- Scorpion envenomation can clinically resemble black widow spider envenomation. However, unlike black widow spider bites, scorpion stings often cause intense local pain at the site of envenomation. Furthermore, black widow spider bites result in localized diaphoresis and possibly lymphangitis.
- Cardiac manifestations of myocarditis and dysrhythmias can suggest myocardial infarction, infectious myocarditis and other primary cardiac diseases.
- The neurologic manifestations, including rotatory eye movements, muscle fasciculations and myoclonus may suggest seizures.
- Botulism is a rare but potentially life-threatening neuroparalytic syndrome resulting from the action of a neurotoxin by the microorganism Clostridium botulinum. It is classically described as the acute onset of bilateral cranial neuropathies associated with symmetric descending weakness. In contrast to a scorpion sting, botulism does not cause hypersalivation, fasciculation, or painful skeletal muscle contractions
- Additional causes of cholinergic syndrome should be considered.
- Intoxication with cocaine, amphetamines and other stimulates may be considered.
Initial Actions and Primary Survey
As with snakebites, initial treatment of envenomated patients begins with supportive care. Support the airway as necessary, obtain IV access, and administer pain medications.
Treatment
Vital signs need to be monitored for signs of autonomic dysfunction. Most victims of Centruroides excilicauda scorpion bites can be managed with supportive care only, such as local wound care, tetanus prophylaxis, opioids for muscle pain, and benzodiazepines for neuromuscular symptoms. Airway support is important and patients may require ventilation due to hypersalivation and autonomic dysfunction.
Antivenom (Anascorp®, US; Alacramyn®, Mexico) should only be considered when there is severe somatic or cranial nerve dysfunction not controlled by supportive measures. It is widely available in Mexico and Anascorp® is approved for use in the United States. Antivenom is given intravenously in a dose of three vials dissolved in 20 to 50 mL of normal saline infused over 30 minutes. Subsequent single vial doses of Centruroides antivenom, up to a total of five vials administered at thirty minutes intervals may be given until resolution of symptoms. Prior to the administration of antivenom, medications and equipment for the treatment of anaphylaxis secondary to allergic reaction to antivenom should be immediately available, including IV fluids, epinephrine, and intubation equipment. Further information about administering or obtaining antivenom may be obtained from the Banner Good Samaritan Poison and Drug Information Center at 1-602-253-3334 or from the nearest regional poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
Pearls and Pitfalls
- Cholinergic Crisis: Patients can present with cholinergic symptoms, especially excessive oral secretions. Atropine has been reported to be helpful in managing these symptoms. However, atropine should not be routinely used and should only be administered to patient who develop severe cholinergic crisis. The benefits of atropine must be weighed against the risk of tachycardia and dysrhythmias.
- Informed consent: It is important for the patient to understand that scorpion envenomation is unlikely to be a fatal disease process. Therefore, antivenom is not lifesaving. However, without antivenom, the patient will likely have a prolonged period of distressing symptoms, and of all available treatments, current evidence indicates antivenom is likely to be effective and may significantly reduce the duration of suffering and hospitalization.
Selected References
- Feng, S and Goto, C. Bites and Stings – Snakes, Spiders, and Scorpions in the United States. Emergency Medicine Practice. May 2007. Volume 4, Number 5. (Accessed from ebmedicine.net August 1, 2014).
- Jacobstein, C.R. and Baren, J.M.: Bites and Envenomations (Section XXIV Environmental Emergencies) in Wolfson, A.B., Hendey G., et al. (Eds.). Harwood-Nuss’ Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine, (5th edition), Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2009.
- Lovecchio, Frank. Scorpion stings in the United States and Mexico. In: UpToDate, Post TW (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA. (Accessed August 8, 2014).
- “Bbasgen-scorpion-front” by Musides at en.wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Scorpion Sting – North America
Is this your symptom?
- Sting from a scorpion
- Onset of local pain and tingling after a scorpion is seen in the area
- The main symptoms are pain, tingling, and numbness at the sting site
Key Points
- Scorpion stings often occur on a hand or a foot. They occur when a person disturbs a scorpion. Examples are stepping on one or reaching under a rock or pile of wood.
- Most scorpion stings cause mild symptoms such as redness and pain at the sting site.
- Stings from bark scorpions (found in the Southwest) can cause more serious symptoms.
Types
There are hundreds of different types of scorpions in the world. Scorpions look like tiny lobsters. They have a long tail with a stinger at the end. The tail curls up and over the scorpion’s body. Scorpions are most active at night. They like dark and moist places.
The sting of most scorpions can cause pain, numbness, and tingling at the sting site. There are three scorpions in North America that can sometimes cause serious, even life-threatening symptoms:
- Bark scorpion. Found in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
- Mexican scorpion. Found in northern Mexico.
- Striped scorpion. Found in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Symptoms
The most common symptom is pain at the site of the sting. There may be numbness, tingling, redness and swelling around the sting mark. However, there can be pain without any visible sting mark.
More serious symptoms happen in about 1 in 10 people stung by a scorpion. Babies and young children are at higher risk of severe reactions. Serious symptoms include:
- Diarrhea and vomiting (throwing up)
- Fast heart beat
- Muscle jerks
- Restlessness
- Roving or wild eye movements
- Sweating
- Trouble swallowing and drooling
- Trouble breathing and wheezing
Symptoms usually get better in 24-48 hours.
When to Call for Scorpion Sting – North America
Call 911 Now
| Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
| Self Care at Home
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Care Advice
Treating Scorpion Stings
- What You Should Know:
- You should suspect a scorpion sting if you have symptoms of a sting and found a scorpion nearby.
- Most scorpion stings cause mild symptoms such as pain and tingling at the sting site.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Cleansing: Wash the sting thoroughly with soap and water.
- Local Cold:
- Wrap a bag of ice in a towel to the sting (or a bag of frozen vegetables, like peas).
- Apply this cold pack to the area of the sting for 10-20 minutes every hour for the first 4 hours.
- Pain Medicine:
- You can take one of the following drugs if you have pain: acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve).
- They are over-the-counter (OTC) pain drugs. You can buy them at the drugstore.
- Use the lowest amount of a drug that makes your pain feel better.
- Acetaminophen is safer than ibuprofen or naproxen in people over 65 years old.
- Read the instructions and warnings on the package insert for all medicines you take.
- What to Expect:
- Expect some pain for 1-2 days. It shouldn’t be any worse than a bee sting.
- Numbness and tingling in the area of the sting may last for a couple days.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- Serious symptoms occur
- You have symptoms in other parts of your body, not just at sting
- You think you need to be seen
- You get worse
Preventing Scorpion Stings
- Prevention:
- Do not walk barefoot in the desert, especially at night.
- Check your shoes before you put them on.
- Shake out clothes, towels, and sleeping bags before using.
- Prevention – Around Your Home:
- Clear away any piles of wood, debris that are near the house. Reason: scorpions hide there.
- Weatherstrip your windows and doors.
- Fix holes and cracks in the walls of the house.
- Place the legs of a baby’s crib in wide-mouthed glass jars (scorpions can’t climb glass).
- Hire a pest control expert for repeated problems with scorpions.
- Call Your Doctor If:
And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the ‘Call Your Doctor’ symptoms.
Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.
Last Reviewed: | 9/25/2021 1:00:47 AM |
Last Updated: | 3/11/2021 1:00:35 AM |
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Scorpion Envenomation: Background, Pathophysiology, Etiology
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90,000 Scorpion sting: symptoms and first aid
Resting in the open air, few people admit the thought of meeting a scorpion. Most people believe that this representative of the fauna lives exclusively in the deserts of hot Africa or in distant Australia. In fact, one can also encounter it on the territory of Russia, mainly in the vastness of the Caucasus and Crimea. A scorpion bite is a very real phenomenon that can happen to every tourist or hiker.
Why the poison is dangerous
The poisonous liquid contains the following components:
- Antigens – components that are present in the poison, they provoke the development of a strong allergic reaction;
- Neurotoxins are toxic components, under the influence of which the destruction of the tissues of the human brain, as well as the cells of the NA, occurs.
- Other components that negatively affect the work of the heart and provoke the release of the stress hormone (cortisol).
When bitten, a person feels severe pain, so such a bite will definitely not go unnoticed. The bite can be compared to the sting of a wasp, bee or hornet.
After the bite of this insect, the following symptoms begin to appear:
- The person feels the strongest soreness in the place where the bite occurred. The more poisonous a scorpion is considered, the more pain it will experience.
- The skin in the affected area becomes red, there is severe swelling. If the individual is not poisonous, then swelling will be present only in the affected area. If the bite comes from a poisonous scorpion, then even the whole body may swell.
- Numbness of the affected limb occurs. The more toxic substances got into the wound, the more the feeling of “stiffness” is manifested.
- The stomach begins to ache severely, nausea, vomiting develops;
- A person develops a convulsive syndrome, and both individual muscle groups and the entire body can contract;
- The amount of salivary fluid secreted increases, the throat may hurt.A powerful poisoning of the whole organism occurs;
- The beating of the heart muscle becomes more frequent, in some cases a person may faint.
If bitten by an individual that belongs to the range of non-venomous, then medical assistance is not needed. Redness and pain at the bite site goes away on its own after 2-3 hours.
If a poisonous scorpion, or an unknown species, has bitten, then first aid should be provided to the injured person as soon as possible.
During the first 5-10 minutes after an arthropod attack, you can cut the affected area and try to remove the poison from there.The squeezing out or suction of the poisonous component is carried out. If the second option is chosen, then the poison must be spat out periodically.
If there is any hot object at hand, it can be used to cauterize the affected area. This action is performed in order to destroy the effect of the poison. After this manipulation, a cool compress should be applied to the wound to reduce soreness.
The site of the lesion is treated with an antiseptic. If this is not at hand, then the wound is washed with soapy water at room temperature.A tight bandage should be applied to the affected area (slightly above the bitten site) to reduce the spread of the poison through the bloodstream.
The affected skin should be treated with an adrenaline solution (given by injection). This is necessary in order to significantly reduce the absorption of poisons into the bloodstream. Also, this manipulation helps to get more time to take the patient to the hospital.
First aid must be provided as soon as possible! After being bitten by a scorpion, the patient should be taken to the nearest hospital for treatment
Bite symptoms
Scorpion venom is a specific neurotoxic polypeptide that has the property of destroying nerve cells and brain tissues, causing allergic reactions and stimulating the release of stress hormones.There are two types of this substance as perceived by humans.
One of them is equated to a bee sting. This is how red-brown or yellow scorpions sting. The other is much more dangerous, as it can cause paralysis of vital organs and systems. This poison is inherent in black individuals.
A scorpion bite is hard to miss. It looks like the painful prick .
Is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Burning pain in the area of the bite. Its strength is directly proportional to the degree of poisonousness of the scorpion;
- the occurrence of edema and redness of the skin.If the poison is weak – at the site of the lesion, strong – the swelling spreads further. Sometimes there is the appearance of bubbles with a clear liquid at the site of the lesion;
- feeling of numbness gradually spreading from the injection site. The scale depends on the strength of the poison;
- cramps of individual muscles or cramps covering the whole body;
- nausea, vomiting, abdominal and abdominal pain;
- headaches, dizziness;
- pain in the throat, active salivation, which indicates intoxication of the body;
- tachycardia, loss of consciousness in severe cases.
General restlessness may occur when bitten by a scorpion. This is due to the overexcitation of the nervous system, which is caused by the action of the poison. Sometimes there is a reverse reaction – lethargy.
First aid
It is very important to react in time to a scorpion bite, since it is not known how poisonous it will turn out to be. If it is clear that a non-hazardous species was the culprit, immediate help is not needed.
After a while, everything will go away by itself.In other cases, passivity can cost life.
If you do not have to wait for immediate medical attention, you can prevent or slow down the effects of poison as follows:
- Try to squeeze out venom or make a small incision in the area of the bite and suck. In this case, it is important that there are no wounds in the oral cavity (the substance can enter the bloodstream, which is equivalent to a bite). The method is effective in the first 10 minutes after the defeat.
- Cauterization of the wound with a hot match.This will help destroy the poison.
- The stung area must be treated with an antiseptic.
- Cold applied to the bite site slows down the effect of the poison. A tight bandage has the same effect. Injections of novocaine or adrenaline into the lesion site also temporarily block the absorption of the poisonous substance.
- The use of antiallergic drugs.
- An injection of atropine eliminates the effect on nerve cells.
After providing first aid, the patient must be taken to a medical facility, as further treatment may be required.It is necessary to see a doctor who will determine the severity of the effects of the poison.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type of scorpion that stung the person. However, if in doubt, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. For mild symptoms such as pain and numbness at the site of the bite, the person needs:
- in cleaning the area around the bite
- in cold compress application
- in taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen for pain relief
- Raise the affected part of the body so that it is at the same level as the heart.
However, if a dangerous species of scorpion stings a person, treatment will depend on the severity of the bite:
- Grade 1: Pain, swelling and other symptoms are confined to the area of the bite, only pain relief is required.
- Grade 2: There is pain and slight numbness, treatment includes pain relief and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Grade 3: Symptoms of swinging limbs and arching of the back (skeletal neuromuscular dysfunction) or increased production of saliva, blurred vision, and rapid movement of the tongue (cranial nerve problems) appear.Treatment includes the use of pain relievers, anxiety medications, and antiviral medications.
- Grade 4: The person will experience both skeletal neuromuscular dysfunction and cranial nerve problems, as well as organ failure, hyperthermia, or pulmonary edema.
Antivenom is critical for people experiencing these symptoms. However, according to toxicological control, many hospitals do not have antivenom supply.
Complications
If a person has a grade 4 bite, they may experience:
- high body temperature
- pulmonary edema
- multiple organ failure
- rhabdomyolysis, which occurs when muscle tissue breaks down and releases a protein called myoglobin into the bloodstream
Prevention
People at risk of exposure should take the following steps:
- Wear leather gloves.
- Wear long sleeves.
- Shake out clothing and shoes before putting them on.
A person should also carry adrenaline with them if they have a history of allergic reactions to insect bites.
Scorpios are most active at night. Therefore, people should take extra care when working outside at night.
When to see a doctor
A person should see a doctor if they have symptoms that worsen within 2-3 hours after being bitten.He needs emergency medical attention if there are serious, potentially life-threatening conditions that develop immediately after the bite.
Forecast
In most cases, a scorpion bite will only cause local pain, burning, or tingling. In these cases, the person will likely only need home treatment, which may include taking pain relievers, cleaning the bite site, and applying ice.
If symptoms are more severe, such as spreading pain or shortness of breath, the person will need medical attention.With the right medical treatment, the person will fully recover. On rare occasions and among vulnerable populations, including young children and the elderly, a person can die from a scorpion bite.
How to avoid a scorpion bite
To avoid falling prey to a scorpion, it is recommended:
- for an overnight stay in nature, where there is a high probability of the presence of scorpions, choose flat surfaces, be sure to clean them of foreign objects: dry branches, stones, etc.;
- to tightly curtain the entrance to the tent;
- before going to bed, conduct a scrupulous inspection of tents, sleeping bags;
- to shake out clothes and shoes in the morning;
- do not wander along rocky slopes at night, do not collect firewood;
- do not walk without shoes on sandy beaches and deserted places, as scorpions like to bury themselves in the sand at a shallow depth;
- when meeting a dangerous insect, you should not tease it, try to touch it by the tail.
It is worth understanding what danger the scorpion venom poses to the body. Being a neurotoxic polypeptide, this substance is characterized by the property of causing allergic reactions, stimulating the release of stress hormones and negatively affecting brain tissue and nerve cells.
90,000 Scorpion sting: symptoms and first aid
Resting in the open air, few people admit the thought of meeting a scorpion.Most people believe that this representative of the fauna lives exclusively in the deserts of hot Africa or in distant Australia. In fact, one can also encounter it on the territory of Russia, mainly in the vastness of the Caucasus and Crimea. A scorpion bite is a very real phenomenon that can happen to every tourist or hiker.
Why scorpion venom is dangerous for humans
Scorpions are representatives of the arthropod family, in the glands of which a poisonous liquid is formed.He injects it into his victim with the help of a small sharp sting at the very end of his tail. It should be said that a scorpion does not deliberately attack a person, but this can happen if he suddenly feels danger.
Scorpio in the wild
The poison itself is contained in a special pouch located on the tail next to the sting. It is a neurotoxic polypeptide that can directly affect the state of the human body. Its danger to humans is determined by the content of the following components:
- Antigens.Provoke allergic reactions of the body;
- Neurotoxins. Toxic substances that can disrupt the integrity of cells and tissues.
Not everyone knows if a scorpion bite is fatal or if its function is only to paralyze the victim. In fact, there are two types of poison, which differ in the degree of effect on a living organism. If the first can have a destructive effect only on small insects and invertebrates, then the second can not only damage human health, but also lead to death.
Scorpion venom has no effect when it enters its own body.
Scorpion sting: symptoms
A scorpion bite resembles a painful sting or sting from an insect such as a wasp. Therefore, not to feel the moment of contact with an arthropod creature will not work.
As soon as the sting has passed under the skin, and the poison has entered the body, the first signs begin to appear. Their degree will depend on the concentration of the hazardous liquid. Examples of symptoms are:
- Growing pain in the area of the bite.Her character is burning;
- Skin redness and edema. Sometimes there are transparent blisters, as in a burn;
- Increasing feeling of numbness in the affected area;
- Convulsions. They can cover a specific muscle group or the whole body at once;
- Severe abdominal pain, as well as vomiting and nausea;
- Dizziness;
- Increased salivation;
- Rapid heartbeat;
- Headaches;
- Light-headedness.
Often, against the background of a bite, the development of tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, myocarditis occurs. Also, the victim may feel increased excitement or anxiety, or, on the contrary, experience inhibition of movements and general condition.
If it is a dangerous deadly poison, the next stages after severe convulsions can be the patient’s falling into a coma, and then his death. The process can take place very quickly, within 2-4 hours from the moment of defeat.
What to do with a scorpion bite
If you are not sure which scorpion left the bite, deadly or not, it is better to play it safe and immediately seek medical help. Carelessness in this matter can cost your life.
Another thing is, if the bite has made a non-venomous look, then you can not panic. In such cases, the symptoms go away on their own within a few hours.
First aid
Don’t waste valuable time while the medical team is on the road.First aid for a scorpion bite is provided as follows:
- During the first 10 minutes from the moment of defeat, it is necessary to try to squeeze out the poison as much as possible. To do this, you can make a small incision at the site of the bite and suck out the toxic fluid with your mouth. A prerequisite is the absence of open wounds in the oral cavity. This can cause the penetration of poison into the body;
- In order to destroy neurotoxic substances, it is necessary to cauterize the affected area with a hot object.A hot metal spoon is suitable for this;
- Applying a cold compress will relieve pain in the victim;
- The next step is to disinfect the wound. Any antiseptic will do: alcohol, vodka, hydrogen peroxide, and even a simple soap solution;
- A tight bandage should be applied to the area just above the bite. This will slow down the rate at which toxins spread in the blood;
- If possible, the affected area is injected with a solution of novocaine or adrenaline.This will also reduce the rate at which the poison is absorbed. It’s good if Atropine is at hand. It will help protect nerve cells from exposure to hazardous substances.
Applying a cold compress to the bite site will relieve pain and reduce swelling.
This is where the first aid to the victim ends. The next stage is carried out directly by medical representatives.
Treatment
In order for the body to recover from painful symptoms faster, it needs to be provided with complete rest.Based on an assessment of the patient’s general condition, the doctor will be able to provide him with qualified assistance in the form of an appointment:
- Special serum if the poison is highly toxic. It will suspend the action of life-threatening components;
- Anticonvulsants;
- Sedatives;
- Medicines for lowering blood pressure;
- Drugs that control fluid balance in the body to prevent dehydration;
- Anti-shock agents;
- Painkillers.
The patient is strongly advised not to eat within 12 hours from the moment of injury.
Even with the complete disappearance of painful symptoms and there is no risk of consequences for a person bitten by a scorpion, the doctor must monitor his condition over the next day.
Consequences of a bite
The consequences, as well as the symptoms, directly depend on the concentration of toxic substances in the poison and on the timeliness of providing medical assistance to the victim.Most often, a person is faced with the bites of non-venomous scorpions. As a rule, they do not have serious consequences. In some cases, the patient may experience an increase in regional lymph nodes, which are located near the site of the bite.
In the case of potent poisons, the body most often experiences a convulsive syndrome, which in the worst case can be fatal. With timely treatment, it is quite possible to save the victim, but the consequences in the form of paresthesia and a feeling of numbness over a long period of time can affect.There are also frequent cases of complications in the form of muscle twitching with damage to the central nervous system.
The consequences of arthropod bites can also be expressed in a local reaction. Examples include the process of necrosis of the upper layers of the skin in the area of the bite, and even tissue necrosis.
Precautions
In order to prevent the possibility of an attack from this small representative of arthropods, it is necessary to follow a number of rules. It is especially important to consider that the bite can have an increased effect on children and the elderly, since their immune system is quite vulnerable.
When walking on sandy beaches, shoes should be worn, as the scorpion likes to hide in the sand
Thus, being in an area where there is a possibility of being bitten by a scorpion, you must perform the following steps:
- Shoes should be worn when walking on sandy beaches. This is due to the fact that scorpions often bury themselves in the sand;
- If the clothes were taken off and lay on the surface of the ground, then before putting them on again, it is necessary to shake it and thoroughly examine it;
- When spending the night in the open air, you must choose a location that is far from the accumulation of stones, cobblestones, dry plants and trees;
- Also, when overnight, it is worth checking the tent carefully before closing it.Special attention should be paid to blankets, towels, bed linen.
It is especially important to instruct children. They need to explain the rules of behavior in nature, in particular, that they cannot come close, let alone tease representatives of arthropods.
If a scorpion was found in the house, then it is necessary to spray the soil at the foundation with a mixture of kerosene and creosote. Kerosene can also be replaced with diesel fuel. It is equally important to clear the yard from debris, stones, logs and chips.In the home itself, you can spray a mixture of chlordane and pyrenthrine at a concentration of 0.2%.
90,000 bite aid, precautions
As a rule, scorpions living in regions with a temperate climate are smaller and their bites are not fatal. Larger individuals living in tropical regions are dangerous. But you need to know that children under the age of five can die from the bites of scorpions that live in temperate and warm climates.
In earlier times, in some regions, the bites (or rather, pricks) of scorpions had the character of a disaster.For example, in the city of Durango (Mexico) with a population of 40 thousand people in the period from 1890 to 1926. from injections of arachnids belonging to the genus Centruroides, 1,600 people died. Only after the development of antidote sera did mortality drop significantly.
At present, the annual number of people stung by scorpions on the globe is several hundred thousand people, while about 5 thousand die. There is evidence that death from stinging one of the most dangerous – the yellow fat-tailed scorpion (Androctonus australis) is observed in 2% of the total for adults and 8% for children.
The most dangerous scorpions
There is no consensus regarding the number of scorpion species that are deadly to humans. According to some data, there are 25 species, according to others – 50, according to the third – 75. Almost all species dangerous to humans belong to the Buthidae family, only two of them are included in the Hemiscorpius family.
Three species of the Buthidae family are among the most poisonous: Leiurus quinquestriatus, Androctonus australis and Androctonus mauretanicus.
Each country has its own set of medically significant arachnids.Somewhere one species dominates. For example, in Tunisia, the scorpion Androctonus australis accounts for 80% of all stings and 90% of the deaths. In Iran, the scorpion Hemiscorius lepturus is responsible for only 12% of known stings, but it is responsible for 95% of deaths. In Zimbabwe, 75.4% of incidents involve Parabuthus transvaalicus. In the United States, the only dangerous species is Centruroides vittalis.
In some countries, there are two priority species. So, in Saudi Arabia these are Leiurus quinquestriatus and Androctonus crassicauda, in India – Mesobuthus tamulus and Palamneits swammerdami, in Brazil – Tityus bahiensis and Tiyyus serrulatus.There are countries with a wider selection. For example, in Colombia, 39% of stings are associated with Tityus pachyurus, 24% with Centruroides gracilis, 22% with Tityus fuehrmanni, 5% with Tityus asthenes.
The venom of the motley scorpion (Mesobuthus eupeus) found in Russia (Dagestan and the Lower Volga region) is not as dangerous for an adult as the venom of some other members of the Buthidae family, but it can cause a strong reaction in children.
Spotted Scorpion
What happens when bitten?
The consequences of a bite depend on the type of arachnid, the site of the lesion, the age of the victim and individual sensitivity to the poison.
In mild cases, a scorpion sting is akin to a bee sting. Painful sensations may be minor, reddening of the skin occurs at the site of the bite. In severe cases, a very strong pain focus occurs. The injection site turns red and swells quickly, sometimes bubbles appear, and lymph nodes may enlarge. The victim develops and increases weakness, headache and pain in the region of the heart. All this is accompanied by chills, shortness of breath and general anxiety. Further, a person is overcome by drowsiness, wheezing appears in the lungs, blood pressure can greatly increase.As a result of poisoning with scorpion venom, acute pancreatitis can develop, in which a person experiences severe girdle pain in the lumbar region.
Some patterns of scorpion pricks
As for the times of increased risk of bites, these are usually morning and evening hours. So in the United States, 49% of cases occur in the interval from 6 to 12 in the morning and 30% in the time from 18 to 24 hours. This is understandable, since the peak of activity of both humans and scorpions falls precisely on these hours.
Seasonally, these are the warmest months. For example, in Saudi Arabia, most of the stings occur from May to October, with the maximum frequency (21.5%) in June, and the minimum (1.5%) in December.
The parts of the human body where the injections occur can be very different. The limbs are more at risk. Thus, in Colombia, 27.9% of bites are in the hands and 26.4% in the legs.
In terms of gender, men are more likely to suffer.For example, in Saudi Arabia, they account for 77.3% of cases.
Help with a scorpion bite
When bitten, first of all, you need to suck the poison out of the wound, while spitting quickly (this method is effective only within 5-10 minutes after the sting). Then the affected area is treated with alcohol, peroxide or regular soap and an antiseptic bandage is applied. Further, the victim is provided with a horizontal position and immobility of the injured limb. To reduce pain, ice can be applied or an anesthetic ointment containing antihistamines, pain relievers, and corticosteroids can be used.After providing first aid, you should contact the nearest hospital.
When bitten by dangerous tropical species of scorpions, it is necessary to introduce a special antidote serum, which is available in some regions. But this must be done no later than one and a half to two hours after the sting. However, whey is a foreign protein and can sometimes cause allergies. Therefore, it is administered in fractional doses, and preferably with corticosteroids.
Sometimes there are recommendations very quickly, until the poison was able to be absorbed, to burn the bite with a burning match.This precaution is believed to partially destroy the poison. However, not all experts approve of this method.
In case of poisoning with scorpion venom, a relapse is often possible after an improvement in the condition against the background of an apparent recovery. Therefore, the victim must be monitored for at least 12 hours after the symptoms of poisoning disappear.
Scorpion Venom
Scorpion venom is of a protein nature. Scientists isolated about 30 toxins from it, which were divided into 3 groups by the nature of their effect on animals.Group I included toxins that have the maximum effect on the mammalian organism; to group II – toxins that selectively affect insects; to group III toxins that are most active for crustaceans.
Toxins of the first group are the simplest protein groups with a molecular weight of 6000-9000. These are mainly neurotoxins. The second group of toxins acting on insects differs significantly in structure from toxins acting on the mammalian organism (their molecular weight is less).Toxins of the third group have a molecular weight close to the toxins of the first group, but a slightly different chemical structure.
Precautions
Scorpio attacks a person only for the purpose of self-defense! The reaction of the arachnid to irritation is lightning fast. If a person accidentally steps on a scorpion or presses it down with his hand, he will certainly prick it with his poisonous hook. Therefore, in areas where there are many scorpions, you need to be on the lookout. These arthropods can be on roads, in gardens, and even get into human dwellings.
In the desert or on sandy beaches, scorpions burrow into the sand and freeze. This is where misfortune can happen. To avoid being attacked by a dangerous creature, you should not walk barefoot. They can crawl into removed shoes and clothing. While dressing, a person will disturb the scorpion that has warmed up there. Therefore, before putting on and putting on shoes, it is necessary to inspect and shake out the clothes and shoes.
When spending the night outdoors in places where scorpions can be found, it is necessary to choose flat places, free of dry grass, dead wood and stones.Before spending the night, tents and sleeping bags should be carefully inspected. The entrance to the tent must be tightly closed. It is better to pull the canopy over the bed, the edges of which are tucked under the mattress.
It is also necessary to inspect the area around the tent – for this it is better to use an ultraviolet flashlight. The skin of all scorpions in ultraviolet radiation fluoresces, glows in a green-blue spectrum. With a good lantern, a large representative can be seen at night 5-10 meters away.
What to do with a scorpion bite? The Ministry of Health made recommendations
YEREVAN, July 23.News-Armenia. The Ministry of Health of Armenia reports that this year 125 cases of scorpion bites have been recorded in the country, in particular, in Yerevan, in Ararat and Armavir regions.
In this regard, the department recalls what precautions must be taken, as well as the rules of conduct when bitten by scorpions.
Particularly dangerous scorpion
According to the ministry, there are mainly three types of scorpions in Armenia – red, yellow and black scorpions.Bites, mainly by yellow scorpions, are reported every year.
The degree of poisoning from a bite is related to the density of the scorpion’s venom. In most cases, there is only a mild reaction, as in the case of a bee sting. Moreover, the poison of yellow and red scorpions is not life-threatening, and the black scorpion is considered the most dangerous.
Symptoms and rules of behavior for a scorpion bite
With a black scorpion bite, the victim has: increasing burning pain, redness and swelling at the site of the bite, sometimes blisters appear as with a burn, the development of numbness of the affected area, convulsions, which can be any part of a muscle or throughout the body, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.Dizziness, profuse salivation, palpitations and headache also appear.
In case of a bite, you must immediately take the victim to the hospital, and before that you need to lay him down and immobilize the injured limb. Next, you need to treat the damaged area with alcohol, apply an antiseptic dressing to the wound to prevent the penetration of dangerous bacteria, and put ice on it to eliminate pain and swelling. Regardless of the condition of the victim, it is advisable to ensure supervision by a doctor.
Precautions to be taken
Remember that scorpions do not attack humans on purpose. They often enter homes. During the day they hide in cracks, and at night they crawl out of their hiding place, crawl into shoes, clothes and also bedding.
Therefore, it is advisable to shake out the clothes and shoes that you are going to put on in the morning, check towels and bedding. The house where the scorpions were seen should be repaired, if possible, all paths for the entry of scorpions should be blocked, debris, stones and sticks should be thrown out of the yard.-0–
90,000 symptoms, first aid, consequences and therapy
Scorpio is an exotic arachnid, similar to river crayfish, belonging to the type of arthropod insects, which for many centuries has made all living things fearful. His bite is of great danger to a person, up to partial paralysis and death.
Where can you stumble upon a scorpion?
Scorpios are very aggressive and poisonous; found mainly in the countries of Southern Europe, Central Asia, America, North Africa, the Caucasus, the Middle East and the Crimea.A special representative of this species of insects is the Israeli subspecies of the genus Leiurus quinquestriatus, which translates from Latin as “deadly pursuer.” Residents and guests of southern countries are most exposed to the risk of being bitten, who, first of all, should know what such an insect looks like and what kind of life it leads. If in some way a person has received such an injury as a scorpion bite, what to do? How to be saved? What measures should be taken first of all?
Description of the scorpion
The scorpion has an impressive size (sometimes up to 18 cm), looks like a crayfish: a body divided into segments, 2 claws, 6 limbs.You can recognize a dangerous creature by a thickened upward curved tail with a sharp sting. The insect spends most of its life, which lasts about 5 years, in places inaccessible to the human eye (small gorges, spaces under stones, holes in sandy soil 15-25 cm deep). Shows activity mainly at night. A person can be attacked only because of fear or in the process of defense.
The venom of some representatives of the species is very dangerous, therefore, a timely recognized scorpion bite can save human life.It is believed that individuals with large claws are less poisonous.
Scorpion sting: symptoms
When a scorpion bite resembles a rather painful injection, the following symptoms appear:
- Acute, burning pain, proportional in its power to the degree of poisonousness of the scorpion. In pain, it resembles a severe burn and can last for several hours, sometimes increasing, then subsiding.
- Redness at the site of the lesion with a dark puncture point in the middle.The onset of edema, rapidly spreading with a potent poison.
- Severe itching.
- Feeling of numbness at the site of the lesion.
- Formation of bubbles filled with clear liquid.
- Attacks of nausea, periodic vomiting, pain in the abdomen.
- Dizziness, headache, sometimes sore throat.
- Inflammation of the lymph nodes.
- Active salivation, confirming the intoxication of the body.
- Swelling of the tongue, discharge from the eyes of a purulent consistency – in severe lesions.
- Tachycardia and loss of consciousness in particularly difficult cases.
- Unstable body temperature.
- General anxiety is the result of overexcitation of the nervous system.
Scorpion sting: first aid and treatment
It is very important to react in a timely manner to the bite of a malicious insect, because passivity in such cases can cause serious consequences. What to do with a scorpion bite? In the first minutes, actions should be taken to prevent and slow down the penetration of poison into the body.
- Try to squeeze out the poison or make a small incision at the site of the bite and suck out the poisonous substance. The liquid must be spit out periodically. After completing the procedure, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water. It is very important that there are no wounds in the mouth. The method is effective in the first 10 minutes from the moment of injury.
- Treat the affected area with an alcohol solution and apply an antiseptic bandage. This will prevent germs from getting inside, which the scorpion could carry on its sting.
- Apply cold or tight bandage to relieve swelling and relieve pain. This slows down the spread of the toxic substance throughout the body.
- Place the victim horizontally, ensuring complete immobility of the bitten limb.
- Inject epinephrine or novocaine at the site of the bite, which temporarily blocks the absorption of the poison.
- Apply anti-allergic drugs. The action on nerve cells will exclude the injection of “Atropine”.
- Urgently deliver the victim to the nearest medical facility for professional assistance and further treatment.
How to avoid a scorpion bite
In order not to become a victim of a scorpion, it is recommended:
- for spending the night in nature, where there is a high probability of the presence of scorpions, choose flat surfaces, be sure to clean them of foreign objects: dry branches, stones, etc .;
- tightly curtain the entrance to the tent;
- Before going to bed, conduct a scrupulous inspection of tents, sleeping bags;
- Shake out clothes and shoes in the morning;
- do not wander along rocky slopes at night, do not collect firewood;
- do not walk without shoes on sandy beaches and deserted places, as scorpions like to bury themselves in the sand at a shallow depth;
- when meeting a dangerous insect, you should not tease it, try to touch it by the tail.
It should be understood what danger the scorpion venom poses to the body. Being a neurotoxic polypeptide, this substance is characterized by the property of causing allergic reactions, stimulating the release of stress hormones and negatively affecting brain tissue and nerve cells.
Treatment
In case of a non-poisonous scorpion bite, treatment consists of treating the wound and relieving pain with cold or pain relievers. In more difficult cases, the victim needs to ensure peace; in the presence of high blood pressure and muscle spasms, appropriate drugs and antitoxin serum are prescribed, which destroys the poison.In the first 12 hours from the moment of the bite, the patient is prohibited from taking any food. With a severe course of scorpionism (as in medical terminology, a scorpion bite is called), the patient is provided with blood circulation and airway patency with the parallel use of funds, the action of which is aimed at eliminating shock and dehydration. Prescribed “Phenobarbital”, “Diazepam”, adrenergic receptors – drugs that block the symptoms arising from the action of the poison.
It is noteworthy that the deadly venom of a scorpion does not pose any danger to the latter, while in humans it can cause paralysis and cerebral edema.
Consequences of a meeting with a scorpion
A scorpion bite, if the latter is not poisonous, does not have serious consequences for the body, in mild cases it even looks like a bee sting. Small swellings at the site of the lesion can remind of an unpleasant moment in life, which will disappear in just a couple of days. In severe cases (for example, when a tree scorpion bites), poison can enter the bloodstream, cause severe allergies, and even cause death. A scorpion bite is very dangerous, the consequences of which can be simply unpredictable for people with weakened immune systems, the elderly and children.It is worth knowing that the development of poisoning depends on the height of the lesion: the lower the bite site, the less likely it is that serious reactions will occur.
It will come in handy
Approximately 95% of deaths and 80% of severe poisoning are recorded after encounters with fat-tailed representatives of the species – androctonus (from ancient Greek. “Killing men”), living in the forests and deserts of North Africa. A scorpion sting, the treatment of which can sometimes turn into a huge problem, is insensitive due to the presence of strong neurotoxins in the venom, which have a toxic effect on the nervous system and heart.The poison of such an insect is fatal within 7 hours from the moment of defeat. The person has severe intoxication, the child has attacks of suffocation. In this case, life can only be saved with an antidote.
Water scorpion – scorpion
The namesake of a scorpion – a water scorpion that lives in reservoirs with sedentary water – can also cause trouble for a person. In fact, this is a bug that looks like its southern counterpart outwardly. He bites just as painfully, but is not dangerous.There is no need for special treatment; itching and discomfort can be relieved by applying cold to the bite site and treating it with an antiseptic.
Scorpio is an insect that always arouses heightened interest. Mysterious and inaccessible, he carries mortal danger to humans on his sharp sting. Therefore, when meeting with such a representative of the fauna, one should maintain self-control and try to avoid being bitten as much as possible.
90,000 symptoms, first aid and treatment
The scorpion family has about 2 thousand species.But only fifty of them are dangerous to humans. Some species are considered to be some of the most poisonous creatures on the planet. These arachnids are similar to crayfish: they have four pairs of legs, two claws and a tail behind their back, on which a stinger is located. The length of the body ranges from 2 to 18 centimeters.
Scorpions can be found in Southern Europe, Central Asia, Crimea, America and the Caucasus. The most dangerous scorpion is Leiurus quinquestriatus, which lives in North Africa and the Middle East. Since these creatures live mainly in hot countries, going to soak up the sun, you need to be extremely careful.Scorpions are active at night. During the day, these arthropods hide under stones in the soil. A person is usually not attacked. They can bite, defending themselves, or as a result of fright. A timely recognized bite of this scorpion can save life, because the poison of some species is especially dangerous. Poisoning with him is called scorpionism.
Bite symptoms
Scorpion venom is a specific neurotoxic polypeptide that has the property of destroying nerve cells and brain tissue, causing allergic reactions and stimulating the release of stress hormones.There are two types of this substance as perceived by humans. One of them is equated with a bee sting. This is how red-brown or yellow scorpions sting. The other is much more dangerous, as it can cause paralysis of vital organs and systems. This poison is inherent in black individuals.
A scorpion bite is hard to miss. It looks like the painful prick . It is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- burning pain in the area of the bite. Its strength is directly proportional to the degree of poisonousness of the scorpion;
- the occurrence of edema and redness of the skin.If the poison is weak – at the site of the lesion, strong – the swelling spreads further. Sometimes there is the appearance of bubbles with a clear liquid at the site of the lesion;
- Feeling of numbness gradually spreading from the injection site. The scale depends on the strength of the poison;
- Cramps of individual muscles or cramps involving the whole body;
- nausea, vomiting, abdominal and abdominal pain;
- headaches, dizziness;
- pain in the throat, active salivation, which indicates intoxication of the body;
- tachycardia, loss of consciousness in severe cases.
General restlessness may occur when bitten by a scorpion. This is due to the overexcitation of the nervous system, which is caused by the action of the poison. Sometimes there is a reverse reaction – lethargy.
First aid
It is very important to react in time to a scorpion bite, since it is not known how poisonous it will turn out to be. If it is clear that a non-hazardous species was the culprit, immediate help is not needed. After a while, everything will go away by itself. In other cases, passivity can cost life.If you do not have to wait for immediate medical attention, you can prevent or slow down the effects of the poison as follows:
- Try to squeeze out the poison or make a small incision in the area of the bite and suck it. In this case, it is important that there are no wounds in the oral cavity (the substance can enter the bloodstream, which is equivalent to a bite). The method is effective in the first 10 minutes after the defeat.
- Cauterization of the wound with a hot match. This will help destroy the poison.
- The stung area must be treated with an antiseptic.
- Cold applied to the bite site slows down the effect of the poison. A tight bandage has the same effect. Injections of novocaine or adrenaline into the lesion site also temporarily block the absorption of the poisonous substance.
- The use of antiallergic drugs.
- An injection of atropine eliminates the effect on nerve cells.
After providing first aid, the patient must be taken to a medical facility, as further treatment may be required.It is necessary to see a doctor who will determine the severity of the effects of the poison.
Water scorpion bite. Symptoms and first aid
One of the namesake of the scorpion is the water scorpion. This is a bug that lives in reservoirs with little mobile water. This insect got its name because of the similarity with the scorpion. It is because of the external signs that the aquatic inhabitant is perceived as his poisonous brother. But, unlike him, a scorpion living in water is not terrible. It bites painfully, but the injected liquid is absolutely harmless to humans.
However, pain at the site of the bite persists for some time.
Special treatment is usually not required.
But you can remove the discomfort and itching by applying cold to the bite site. Also, the affected area is treated with any antiseptic. If itching persists, antihistamines are used.
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Treatment
No specific treatment required for a non-venomous scorpion bite. It is enough to relieve pain with cold or pain relievers, and also to treat the wound. In other cases, non-specific treatment is required:
- First of all, the victim is provided with peace.
- If you have muscle spasms and high blood pressure, medications are prescribed to relieve these symptoms. Other symptom suppressants are also used.
- For the first 12 hours after the bite, the patient is prohibited from eating any food.
- Antitoxin serum is introduced, which destroys the poison. Concerns only the bites of especially dangerous scorpions, when there is no reaction of the body to the previous treatment. The antidote is used exclusively in medical institutions, in particular in the intensive care unit.
- In severe scorpionism, it is necessary to ensure blood circulation and airway patency.
- In parallel, agents aimed at eliminating shock and dehydration are used as supportive treatment. Prescribe phenobarbital, diazepam, adrenergic receptor blockers, which fight the symptoms arising from the action of the poison.
Consequences of scorpionism
The bite of a non-poisonous scorpion leaves no serious consequences.They are limited to small swellings in the affected area, which disappear after a couple of days. In the same area, a slight increase in regional lymph nodes may be observed.
In some cases, the ingestion of poison (eg, a tree scorpion) into the bloodstream causes a severe form of allergy. This can be fatal. Also, improving the general condition does not always mean recovery. Relapse may occur with aggravated symptoms. Therefore, the first day it is better to be under the supervision of specialists.
If a poisonous specimen stings, and the appropriate treatment is not applied, everything can end in the death of the patient.
Sometimes long-term consequences persist for some time in the form of paresthesias, numbness of the bitten parts of the body, necrosis in the affected area.
The most dangerous scorpion venom is for children, the elderly and those with weakened immunity. The height of the bite also affects the development of poisoning. The lower the affected area, the less likely serious reactions are.
To protect yourself from a scorpion sting, you need to pay attention to prevention in the places where these arachnids live.Especially when relaxing in nature. You need to choose a flat place with further cleansing of stones and debris. In the morning it is better to check shoes, clothes, linen for the presence of these spiders. Night walks in rocky terrain are also not recommended. And most importantly: when you see a scorpion, it is better to bypass it and in no case try to catch it!
Who to contact with a scorpion bite
Traumatologists of Moscow – latest reviews
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