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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffThe American Association of Poison Control Centers annually receives thousands of reports of scorpion stings. Many of those scorpion stings — although painful — are probably harmless. Of the approximately 90 species of scorpions in the United States, only the bark scorpion — found mainly in the desert Southwest — has venom potent enough to cause severe symptoms. In other parts of the world, however, scorpion stings are often the cause of serious injury and death.
Scorpion stings are most serious in young children, older adults and pets. In America, healthy adults usually don't need treatment for scorpion stings, but if your child is stung, always get immediate medical care.
- WHO plans to increase treatment access for victims of rabies and snake bites. World Health Organization.http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/notes/2007/np01/en/index.html. Accessed Aug. 28, 2008.
- Mahaba HM. Scorpion sting syndrome: Epidemiology, clinical presentation and management of 2240 cases. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal. 1997;3(1):82-89.
- Management of poisoning: A handbook for healthcare workers: What to do in an emergency. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/ipcs/publications/training_poisons/management_of_poisoning/en/index2.html. Accessed Aug. 28, 2008.
- Scorpion stings. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Home Edition for Patients and Caregivers. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec24/ch298/ch298k.html. Accessed Aug. 28, 2008.
- Scorpion stings. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec21/ch325/ch325f.html. Accessed Aug. 28, 2008.
- Bouree P, et al. Scorpion stings: A public health problem in Morelos (Mexico). Sante. 2005;15(4):217-223.
- Scorpions and mosquitoes. Pest Press. Arizona Department of Public Health. http://www.mccsc.edu/~mccscipm/html/pdf/Southwest%20Newsletters/southwest_AZ%2004%20May%20Scorpions%20&%20mosquitoes.pdf. Accessed Aug. 29, 2008.
- Non-infectious risks during travel. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh6-Animal.aspx. Accessed Aug. 29, 2008.
- Gouge DH, et al. Scorpions. The University of Arizona. http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/insects/az1223. Accessed Aug. 29, 2008.
- Clinical toxicology: 2006 annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers' national poison data system (NPDS). American Association of Poison Control Centers. http://www.aapcc.org/archive/Annual%20Reports/06Report/2006%20Annual%20Report%20Final.pdf. Accessed Oct. 16, 2008.
- Treatment protocol for use of Anascorp in patients with scorpion sting envenomation. U.S. National Institutes of Health. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00624078. Accessed Oct. 16, 2008.
