Scorpions or scorpions are animals belonging to the class of arachnids that live in areas with little vegetation and whose activity is mostly nocturnal; They are especially common in the deserts of Mexico and Arizona, as well as the subtropics of South America.
If the scorpion is considered a dangerous species, it is mainly due to its venom, since scorpion stings, in addition to being painful, can carry great health risks. The severity of the sting, of course, will depend on the type of scorpion venom and the person affected, since children and the elderly are more vulnerable to these attacks.
Symptoms of a scorpion sting
When one is attacked by a scorpion, a series of symptoms are produced that vary depending on the immune system of the affected person and the quantity and quality of the poison that has been injected. In general, the most common signs are immediate pain at the site of the sting as well as swelling, tingling and warmth.
These symptoms make up a clinical picture whose severity depends on the species of scorpion and the type of person affected, taking into account that children and the elderly may have more serious complications. It must be said that in most cases the scorpion sting is not lethal . Taking this into account, in a HOWTO we are going to cite the different symptoms of a scorpion sting:
Mild or moderate cases
In these cases, the bites may present the following symptoms (these may take up to two days):
- Pain in the affected area and sensation of heat.
- Redness of the area.
- Numbness in the area around the bite.
- production of saliva.
Serious cases
Serious cases of scorpion stings include the following signs, which may appear up to a few hours after the sting:
- Diarrhea and/or vomiting.
- Fever.
- Tachycardia.
- Hypertension.
- Muscle spasms.
- Blurry vision.
- Abnormal and random eye, head, and neck movements.
- sweating
- In the worst cases, the scorpion sting can cause cardiac arrest that causes the death of the person, although this is not common.
What to do in case of a scorpion sting
If you have been attacked by a scorpion or scorpion, you should know that the poison can take several minutes or hours to take effect, so it is important that you react immediately. In any case, when faced with a scorpion bite, it is best to go to a health center immediately.
The reason why it is essential to go to the doctor immediately is because he will have to determine the type of scorpion that has stung you (Asian black scorpion, Argentine scorpion, emperor scorpion). Depending on your symptoms, you will be able to see if it is one type or another and will be able to propose one treatment or another. In any case, there is some first aid that you should take into account in case of a sting. We explain them to you:
- Wash the affected area well with soap and water to clean it.
- Apply a cool, damp cloth to the bite at 10-minute intervals to reduce pain.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. However, if the affected person has difficulty swallowing, it is important that they do not ingest any type of liquid or food.
- Try to stay still and calm to prevent the poison from spreading.
- If possible, capture the scorpion so that they can identify what species it is and thus recognize the toxicity of its venom, as this way they can recommend a more effective treatment.
Is there any home treatment for a scorpion sting?
As we have advanced, if you wonder what to do in case of a scorpion sting, the first thing you should know is that it is essential that you go to a doctor. The scorpion sting can lead to a wide range of consequences, so it is best not to risk it and put yourself in the hands of professionals .
However, if the pain is very mild and there are no serious symptoms or allergic reactions in adults (because children always have to be taken to the doctor immediately), we share with you some effective and non-dangerous home treatments for scorpion stings.
- Mango leaf: its sage is very effective in treating scorpion stings, as it helps reduce pain and inflammation if applied immediately after the attack.
- Peppermint: Peppermint is also a very good home remedy to reduce the pain of a scorpion sting and reduce inflammation. Therefore, we recommend applying a small amount of freshly extracted juice from its leaves after the attack.
- Sodium bicarbonate: baking soda can also be very effective for scorpion stings, so our recommendation is that you prepare a paste by mixing baking soda with a little water. This home treatment for a scorpion sting will reduce the inflammation and pain.
Remember that if the symptoms persist or you feel serious complications after a scorpion sting, you should visit a doctor immediately so that the appropriate treatment can be prescribed.
How to prevent scorpion stings
If you are in an area where the presence of scorpions is common, there are some recommendations you can follow to prevent these insects from biting you. These scorpion sting prevention recommendations are:
- Keep the place very clean and neat: it is essential that you keep your house very clean to avoid the presence of these arachnids. Make sure you always throw the garbage away and that no waste accumulates, and above all remember to protect your hands well when you go to do this test.
- Do not go barefoot: if you have to move through unclean areas or with a pile of debris, remember to never go barefoot. In addition, we advise you to inspect the footwear before putting it on.
- Keep good control of pipes and walls: if you think there may be scorpions in your house, it is essential that you check the pipes and repair the cracks in the walls. You should also inspect your bedding daily before going to bed, as well as check the cabinets, drawers and gaps in the room.
- Avoid accumulation of debris: this advice is especially important in rural areas, where the presence of scorpions or scorpions is much more common. If you have a garden, always cut the grass and make sure to keep it very clean. Do not accumulate firewood or other debris, and keep in mind that poultry are great predators of scorpions, which can be a point in your favor.
