08/25/2013
We have noticed that there seems to be a few scorpions out and about this year, so posting some information you may want if someone is stung.
First Aid Training for Scorpion Stings
Bee stings are both common and generally non-threatening events, unless you have an allergy to the venom or are stung by dozens or hundreds of insects, so first aid treatment for stings is usually limited to making the sting more comfortable. Scorpion stings, on the other hand, are both rarer and more alarming, especially given the lethal reputation that films have given to these creatures.
The first thing to remember in dealing with a scorpion sting is that most species are not as deadly as Hollywood would have us believe. The stings are painful and can sometimes make you sick, but there are many non-lethal species for every potentially deadly one. Therefore, your first imperative is to avoid panicking and handle the first aid in a prompt, but rational and careful, manner, exactly as you would do for a bee sting or a poisonous spider bite.
Deciding Whether Professional Medical Help is Needed
Scorpion stings, as noted above, are not as lethal as is sometimes feared, but there are still dangerous or potentially deadly scorpions in some parts of the world. Furthermore, any individual with small body mass – specifically, children – is at much greater risk than an adult, and should be taken to the emergency room as soon as possible. If a small pet is stung, take them to the vet immediately.
Anaphylactic shock is a risk with scorpion stings in sensitive individuals, just as it is with hornet stings, bee stings, and spider bites. This is an allergic reaction and is marked by difficulty breathing, hives, dizziness, and/or chest pain. Any of these symptoms alone, or several of them together, mean that you need hospital treatment urgently.
The one species of dangerous scorpion in the United States is the bark scorpion, a tiny wretch with a powerful sting. It is found mostly (but not exclusively) in Arizona. Signs that you have been stung by a bark scorpion and need antivenin include lack of swelling at the sting site (often combined with intense pain, but not always), muscle spasms or tics, high heart rate and blood pressure and/or rapid breathing, and weakness. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and palpitations all indicate a dangerous sting, too.
If all the signs point to being stung by a non-lethal scorpion, you can attempt treatment at home, and only call for an ambulance if symptoms become severe or alarming.
First Aid Procedures for Scorpion Stings
Cutting the wound to “bleed the venom out” or applying suction is both useless and dangerous in the case of a scorpion sting, and will just increase the risk of a secondary infection. Instead, follow these steps as much as possible:
• Clean the area gently with soap and water, preferably cool or cold water.
• Apply a layer of cream, preferably one that combines cortisone (to reduce inflammation), an antihistamine (to lessen allergic reactions) and antibiotic functions.
• Use an ice pack to reduce pain and inflammation – as usual, do not apply ice directly to bare skin because of the risk of damaging the area with frostbite.
• Take an antihistamine such as Benadryl orally.
• Take an oral painkiller such as Acetominophen.
• Continue ice treatment as needed, and contact professional medical services if symptoms worsen rather than gradually improving.
