Medium urgency
-Moderately severe
The scorpion is an eight-legged arthropod, a relative of spiders, characterized by two crab-like claws and a tail with a stinger. When they bite, they release a venom containing neurotoxins that affect the nervous system. It manifests with intense pain and swelling at the site of the bite. Symptoms in children may be more varied and more severe. Diagnosis is clinical by interrogation and examination of the affected area. It is treated with local ice and anti-inflammatory drugs. In more severe cases, it may be necessary to use a specific antidote.
- LoVecchio F, McBride C. Scorpion envenomations in young children in central Arizona. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 2003; 41:937.
- Isbister GK, Bawaskar HS. Scorpion envenomation. N Engl J Med 2014; 371:457.
- Garcia ML, Hanner M, Kaczorowski GJ. Scorpion toxins: tools for studying K+ channels. Toxicon 1998; 36:1641.
- Hutt MJ, Houghton PJ. A survey from the literature of plants used to treat scorpion stings. J Ethnopharmacol 1998; 60:97.
- Műller GJ, Modler H, Wium CA, Veale DJH. Scorpion sting in southern Africa: diagnosis and management. CME 2012:30 http://www.cmej.org.za/index.php/cmej/article/view/2545/2580 (Accessed on November 03, 2016).
Dr. Oscar Garcia-Esquirol
Copyright© TeckelMedical 2026

