Although the bites of certain insects are frequent throughout life, there are certain cases that are important and medical attention is urgently required. This is the case of scorpion bites, which are very painful and can put a person’s life at risk if they do not go to a professional immediately and strictly follow their instructions.
Despite the fact that anyone is at great risk after having suffered a bite from this arthropod, children and older adults are the most likely to suffer complications. Some cases of scorpion sting in adults may not require any specific treatment, however, it is always important to consult a specialist. If you want to know more about the scorpion sting: symptoms and treatments , we advise you to continue reading the following FastlyHealarticle.
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Symptoms when a scorpion bites you
Generally, the scorpion sting causes a localized symptomatology in one part of the body. The most common signs are pain and warmth at the site of the sting. This type of symptom can be very intense, however, it may happen that no redness or swelling appears in the area in question. The most common symptoms of a scorpion sting are:
- Pain, which can be quite severe.
- Feeling tingling or numbness in the part of the body that was bitten.
- In some cases there may be mild swelling around the bite.
In people in whom the venom begins to have generalized effects , which usually occurs mainly in children, they may present:
- Difficulty breathing normally.
- Feel contraction in various muscles of the body.
- Begin to perform unusual movements in the neck, eyes and head.
- Drooling or sweating for no apparent reason.
- Feeling nauseous or vomiting.
- Alteration in blood pressure.
- Have tachycardia, that is, feel a faster heart rate.
- Present cardiac arrhythmias , that is, irregular heartbeats.
- Children may begin to cry in such a way that they cannot be comforted, they appear restless or excited.
Scorpion sting: first aid and treatment
Mayo Clinic assures that there are several occasions in which it is not necessary to carry out any type of medical treatment [1] , but when serious symptoms are manifested it is necessary to go to a health center urgently and receive the treatment that specialists consider essential depending on of the person and the symptoms they present. They may find it necessary to administer sedatives to relieve muscle aches and use different intravenous medications to regulate blood pressure, heart rate, and pain.
Using an antidote for scorpions or scorpions remains a controversial treatment due to concerns about its efficacy and the side effects it can cause, however, Mayo Clinic states that the antidote may be more effective if administered before symptoms occur, so some children need to apply this antidote as a prevention method.
First aid
When faced with a scorpion sting, the first thing to do is contact your doctor. In parallel, these first aid should be carried out [2] :
- Wash and disinfect the area.
- Put cold compresses.
- Use of pain relievers every 8 hours.
Once in the consultation, doctors can infiltrate local anesthesia and antibiotic and tetanus prophylaxis.
Risk factors and prevention
Although anyone can suffer a scorpion sting, there are certain risk factors that increase the probability of suffering this event. Among them, certain geographical areas stand out with the conditions for scorpions to live and in which they are abundantly distributed. They are primarily found in South America, Mexico, North Africa, India, the Middle East, and some parts of the United States such as New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
Likewise, there are some environmental factors that can contribute to the existence of scorpions, since they can live under rocks, the bark of trees, trunks, among others. This is why it can be common to find this type of arthropod when camping or if the house is located near the field.
It can be difficult to prevent scorpion stings , although there are some actions that can help. Among them is:
- Move the piles of stones or wood that may be around the house and do not store firewood inside the home.
- Keep your lawn mowed properly by trimming overhanging bushes and tree branches.
- Inspect and shake garden clothing, ie boots, gloves, and all clothing used for such jobs.
- When camping or hiking, it is preferable to wear long pants with long-sleeved shirts.
- If you travel to a place where scorpions are frequent, it is important to shake the sheets before sleeping and be careful that nothing leaks into the suitcases with the clothes.
- When finding a scorpion you can use long tweezers to carefully zoom out.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.