Scorpion Sting

Bark scorpions are commonly found in the dry, desert regions of the southwestern United States.

While scorpion stings can be painful, they are not usually deadly. Most healthy adults don't need any medical care after being stung. However, young children and older adults are more likely to experience serious problems from a scorpion sting.

Scorpions are related to insects, spiders, and crabs. They are part of a group called arthropods. Bark scorpions, the only scorpion type in the US that can cause serious health issues, are typically between 1.6 and 3 inches long, including their segmented tails with stingers that inject venom. These scorpions mainly live in the desert Southwest. Globally, there are over 2,000 scorpion species, but only about 100 of them have venom that can be dangerous or even deadly.

Scorpions have eight legs, pincers resembling those of a lobster, and a tail that curves upwards. They are mostly active at night. They usually only sting if they feel threatened or are bothered. Most scorpion stings happen when someone accidentally picks one up, steps on it, or bumps into it.

Scorpion stings can cause a range of symptoms. At the sting site, you might feel intense pain, numbness, tingling, and slight swelling. The area might also feel warm.

Sometimes, the venom affects the whole body, especially in children. These symptoms can include trouble breathing, muscle spasms or jerking movements, unusual movements of the head, neck, and eyes, drooling, sweating, and slurred speech. Other possible symptoms are nausea, vomiting, a fast heartbeat (tachycardia), and restlessness or irritability (or, in children, extreme crying that's hard to soothe).

Like bee or wasp stings, a person can have an allergic reaction to a scorpion sting if they've been stung before. This allergic reaction can be serious. A severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. Symptoms of a scorpion sting anaphylaxis are similar to other anaphylactic reactions, such as those from bee stings. These could include hives, difficulty breathing, nausea, and vomiting. If you experience any of these symptoms after a scorpion sting, seek immediate medical attention.

If a child gets stung by a scorpion, call your local poison control center right away. In the U.S., you can reach Poison Help at 800-222-1222. Even if you're an adult, get medical attention if you're stung and start having trouble breathing or other symptoms that last more than a week. If you're worried about a scorpion sting, don't hesitate to call your local poison control center for advice. They can answer questions and tell you what to do.

A scorpion's stinger, located on its tail, delivers a sting that injects venom. This venom is a mixture of harmful substances, primarily neurotoxins. Neurotoxins are chemicals that directly affect the nervous system.

Scorpions are more likely to sting you if you're in areas where they live.

• Living or traveling in scorpion-prone regions: Many scorpions live in the hot, dry deserts of the southwestern United States, including Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of California. They're also common in Mexico, parts of South America, North Africa, the Middle East, and India. Be aware that you might unknowingly bring scorpions home with you. They can hide in clothes, suitcases, or even shipping containers.

• Working, hiking, or camping in areas with scorpions: Scorpions often hide under rocks, logs, and even tree bark. This explains their common name, bark scorpions. Outdoor activities like working, hiking, or camping increase your chances of encountering them. For example, if you're working on a construction site in a desert area, or going on a hike through a rocky terrain, you're more likely to run into a scorpion.

Scorpions can be dangerous, especially for babies and older adults. If a scorpion sting isn't treated, it can sometimes lead to serious problems like heart or lung failure. This usually happens a few hours after the sting. Scorpion sting deaths are uncommon in the United States.

In some, less common, cases, a scorpion sting can cause a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate medical attention.

Scorpions generally prefer to stay away from humans. If you live in an area with scorpions, there are some easy steps you can take to avoid running into them:

Keeping Your Home Scorpion-Free:

• Trim your lawn: Keeping grass short and bushes trimmed makes it harder for scorpions to find places to hide and access your home. Removing overhanging branches prevents scorpions from using them as a bridge to your roof or upper floors.
• Seal up gaps: Seal any cracks or gaps in your walls, and install weatherstripping around doors and windows. This will prevent scorpions from entering your house. Fixing torn screens is also crucial.
• Check your belongings: Regularly inspect and shake out old gardening gloves, clothes, and boots. Scorpions can hide in these items, so removing them before use can help prevent unwanted guests.

Staying Safe When Traveling:

• Protect your feet: If you're visiting an area where scorpions are common, especially if you're camping or staying in a simple cabin, wear shoes. This basic precaution can prevent a scorpion from crawling into your shoes or onto your feet.
• Check your gear: Regularly shake out any clothing, bedding, backpacks, or other gear you might be bringing into a scorpion-prone area. Doing this will help to keep scorpions from hitchhiking on your belongings. This is important for all packages as well.

Spotting and Handling Scorpions Safely:

• Use a black light: Scorpions glow under black lights. If you're concerned about scorpions at night, using a black light can help you spot them.
• Use tongs: If you do find a scorpion, use tongs or a similar tool to gently move it away from people. This is a safe way to remove the scorpion without harming yourself or the scorpion.

By following these simple precautions, you can significantly reduce your chances of encountering a scorpion.

To figure out what's wrong, your doctor often just needs to know about your health history and the symptoms you're experiencing. If your symptoms are severe, your doctor might order blood tests or imaging scans. These tests help check if the poison has affected your liver, heart, lungs, or other parts of your body.

Many scorpion stings don't require any medical attention. Most people can recover on their own. However, if a sting causes serious problems, like intense pain or other concerning symptoms, a hospital visit may be necessary. At the hospital, doctors might use intravenous (IV) medications to help manage the pain.

For children, receiving scorpion anti-venom can help prevent severe symptoms. Adults with serious reactions may also benefit from receiving anti-venom. This medicine helps reduce the effects of the venom.