The pain you feel after a scorpion sting is instantaneous and extreme. Any swelling and redness will usually appear within five minutes. More severe symptoms, if they’re going to occur, 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.
Scorpions are predatory creatures that belong to the arachnid family. They have eight legs and can be recognized by their pair of grasping pedipalps, which resemble pinchers, and their narrow, segmented tail. This tail is often carried in a forward curve over a scorpion’s back and ends with a stinger.
Symptoms and side effects of scorpion stings
The majority of scorpion stings only cause localized symptoms, such as warmth and pain at the site of the sting. Symptoms can be extremely intense, even if swelling or redness isn’t visible.
Symptoms at the site of the sting can include:
intense pain
tingling and numbness around the sting
swelling around the sting
Symptoms related to widespread effects of venom can include:
breathing difficulties
muscle thrashing or twitching
unusual movements of the neck, head, and eyes
dribbling or drooling
sweating
nausea
vomiting
high blood pressure
accelerated heart rate or irregular heartbeat
restlessness, excitability, or inconsolable crying
It’s also possible for people who’ve been stung previously by scorpions to have an allergic reaction to a subsequent sting. It’s occasionally severe enough to cause a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis. Symptoms in these cases are similar to those of anaphylaxis caused by bee stings and can include trouble breathing, hives, nausea, and vomiting.
Does Scorpion sting kill?
Dr Nura Aliyu, a specialist at Sman Diagnostic Center, in an interview explained that a scorpion sting does not kill but can lead to loss of consciousness, and shock which can lead to loss of life.
“Extreme pain can lead to neurogenic shock, which can lead to loss of consciousness or death but normally scorpion poison does not kill, it is the pain that kills.”
Things to do when stung by a scorpion – Dr Nura
Dr Nura Aliyu explained that Scorpion venoms are neurotoxic and need emergency attention, advising people not to allow the pain to reach the brain.
“There is a need to first trace the movement of the pain when bitten by a scorpion, this is done by tieing the affected areas or putting a lot of pressure on areas which can not be tied, for example, the neck before going to the nearest health facility.
“At the hospital, local anaesthesia is given to subside the pain” He added
Dr Nura advised people to avoid scorpion stings in total because prevention is better than cure.
Scorpions are insects that are found mostly during the heating season.
Outlook for scorpion stings
The majority of scorpion stings, while extremely painful, are nonvenomous and therefore harmless. If you’ve received a sting from a venomous scorpion and you live in an area that has access to good medical care, you’ll usually recover quickly and without complications.
Older adults and children have an increased risk of adverse reactions to scorpion stings. People in certain areas of the world where access to medical care is restricted are also at greater risk.
In extremely rare cases, and usually in people who’ve experienced a previous scorpion sting, subsequent stings can lead to anaphylaxis. Even in these cases, in areas with good medical care, if the anaphylaxis is treated promptly, you can expect to make a full recovery.
