FIRST AID TREATMENT FOR SCORPION STING: A sting from a scorpion’s curvy tail is painful, but it rarely causes an allergic reaction. You might have minor problems, like pain, swelling, numbness, and tingling at the site. The pain you feel after a scorpion sting is instantaneous and extreme. Any swelling and redness will usually appear within five minutes. If more severe symptoms are going to occur, they will come on within the hour. It’s possible to die from a scorpion sting, though unlikely. There are an estimated 1,500 species of scorpion in the world, and only 30 of these produce venom toxic enough to be fatal. In the United States, there is only one species of venomous scorpion, the bark scorpion.
SCORPION STING SYMPTOMS
Scorpion stings symptoms are:
- Intense pain
- Tingling and numbness in the area around the sting
- Swelling around the sting area
If a bark scorpion bites, severe symptoms are visible, which are as follows:
- Unusual head, neck and eye movements
- Muscle twitching or thrashing
- Sweating
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Accelerated heart rate or irregular heartbeat
- High or low blood pressure levels
- Restlessness or anxiety or crying profusely (in children)
If a scorpion stings a child, immediately get medical help. If adults manifest a variety of symptoms, seek medic.
FIRST AID TREATMENT FOR SCORPION STING
If a scorpion stings you or your child, follow the suggestions below. Healthy adults may not need further treatment, and these tips can help keep children safe until they see a doctor:
- Clean the wound with mild soap and water.
- Apply a cool compress to the affected area. This may help reduce pain.
- Don’t consume food or liquids if you’re having difficulty swallowing.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as needed. You might try ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Children’s Motrin, others) to help ease discomfort.
- Do not cut into the wound or apply suction.
- If a child is 5 years or younger is stung, seek evaluation by a medical caregiver.
- You may need to take sedatives if you’re experiencing muscle spasms and intravenous (IV) medication to treat high blood pressure, pain, and agitation.
TREATMENT OF SCORPION STING
Most scorpion stings don’t need medical treatment. But if symptoms are severe, you may need to receive care in a hospital. You may be given drugs through a vein (intravenously) to treat pain. Scorpion anti-venom may be given to children to prevent the development of symptoms. Adults with severe symptoms also may be given anti-venom.
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT A SCORPION STING?
Taking the following precautions can prevent Scorpion stings, they may include:
- Shaking out clothing and shoes to dislodge any scorpions.
- Wearing clothing that covers the body (for example, wearing gloves and tucking in pant legs into boots may limit exposure). Many pesticides that are commercially used outside on homes may make some scorpions sluggish and easier to kill before they can sting. In addition, pesticides may markedly reduce the food source of scorpions.
- Most researchers suggest that if you see or feel a scorpion on the skin brush it off quickly instead of slapping it because the scorpion will likely sting you if the slap doesn’t kill it.
- Scorpions glow (fluoresce) under a UV light (black light) so if you are doing tasks in areas where scorpions might live, for example, dark areas like a closet or underneath a porch, use a black light to find them before they sting you. You use this technique at night and at home when scorpions are more active and likely to bite you. They may be in on floors or in walls.
