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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffScorpions are arthropods — a relative of insects, spiders and crustaceans — and have changed little in the last 400 million years or so. Although approximately 1,400 species of scorpions exist worldwide, only about 25 have venom potent enough to be hazardous to humans. The most dangerous scorpions are found in North Africa, the Middle East, South America and Mexico.
The average scorpion is about 3 inches long, but different species can be much smaller or larger. At 8 inches, the African scorpion is probably the world's longest. Scorpions have eight legs and a pair of crab-like pinchers, giving them a certain fierce look. The venom is carried in a gland on the back of the tail, and when on the attack, a scorpion can flick its stinger over its head with lightning speed. The venom itself contains as many as 30 toxins that affect the nervous system (neurotoxins), each of which is effective on a different type of prey.
Many people think of scorpions as dangerous pests, but they play a critical role in the ecosystem, consuming large quantities of other arthropods and even small snakes and mice. They're also shy, nocturnal creatures who resist stinging unless provoked or attacked. They can control the amount of venom they release — depending on how threatened they feel — so some stings may be almost entirely venomless.
- 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.
