Originally posted by The Wanderer:
what's the deal with anti-venom then??? is it just certain species that will kill a person? what's the deal?
I'm pretty sure there are species of scorpions in existence with venom lethal enough to kill a normal human being. Places like Africa perhaps? The most dangerous scorpion we have here in Arizona is the bark scorpion. But it rarely kills anyone and is not much worse than a bee sting. Most people just get the swelling and severe pain for a couple hours and don't need the anti-venom. The recommended treatment for a scorpion sting is the same as for a bee sting. Apply ice packs and take pain reliever. The sting of a bark scorpion can be very dangerous though to young children, elderly and people with allergic reactions to the venom. In those cases they should be rushed to the hospital immediately for anti-venom treatment.
I found this info on the bark scorpion on a local hospital's website...
There are as many as 41 species of scorpions in Arizona. All scorpions can sting, but only one scorpion in the United States, the bark scorpion (Centruroides exilicauda), causes medical problems. Unfortunately, this venomous scorpion is the most common one found in and around houses. It chooses to live in defined geographic areas. If your house, apartment or business is built on that geographic area you will most likely have scorpions come inside the dwelling.
"Scorpions are some of nature's most adaptable creatures, and the bark scorpion has proven that it can exist where people have made a home in the desert," said Dr. Richard Thomas, director of the Good Samaritan Regional Poison Center. "If you live in an area where there is a lot of construction, you may be more likely to find scorpions inside because their outdoor habitat has been disturbed. Once in the house, it is often found hiding under sheets or in shoes - anywhere away from direct light - and that makes it difficult to detect."
The bark scorpion measures from one to one and a half inches in length, making it one of the smaller species of scorpions. Its color may vary from light tan to a darker golden brown. It also is the only scorpion that curls its tail to the side while at rest.
A nighttime feeder, it's most commonly found near irrigated areas and pools; in palm trees; and on wooden fences and the walls of homes. "Scorpions can be difficult to find in regular light, but they fluoresce under ultraviolet light. If you use a black light they can be easily spotted," said Dr. Thomas. "They also can flatten themselves to fit through any crack the width of a credit card which makes them that much more difficult to find in daylight.
Scorpions stings can occur in many areas of the home. A recent study of phone calls received by the Poison Center showed that 33 percent of scorpion sting victims were stung in the bedroom with 24 percent being stung in the living room and only 6 percent in the bathroom. The bark scorpion is the only scorpion in Maricopa County that can climb. It is able to climb walls and walk across ceilings. It therefore can show up in bathtubs and beds, having fallen from the ceiling. It also has the ability to cling to the underside of many objects, making it important to be cautious when picking up an object where a scorpion could be hiding such as a wet towel from the pool area, furniture like a table or firewood.
The same Poison Center study showed that most people, 60 percent, were stung on the hand or bare foot. Scorpions are most active when the nighttime temperatures climb into and stay at 70 degrees Fahrenheit and approximately half of all scorpions stings occur between 7 p.m. and midnight.
Special Precautions
Because children younger than 10 years old are more likely to develop severe symptoms if stung, special care should be taken if you are visiting or reside in a bark scorpion-prone area:
? To prevent scorpions from either climbing or falling into the crib, place netting over the crib and set the legs of the crib in clean, wide mouth jars
? Roll back bed linens and check for scorpions before getting into bed
? Shake or examine all clothing and shoes before putting them on
? Move furniture and beds away from the walls
? Wear shoes when outdoors, especially around a pool at night
? Talk to a pest control company for other recommended procedures
? Be especially careful of wet/damp towels in the bathroom and pool area
Signs & Symptoms of a Sting
The first symptoms seen in infants and children are uncontrollable crying; rapid, jittery eye movements; and increased salivation. Adults stung by a bark scorpion may experience one or more of the following symptoms, usually beginning within the first two to three hours following the sting:
? Immediate local pain/burning sensation. No swelling or redness
? Touching the site of the sting causes great pain
? Numbness and tingling moving to parts of the body distant from the sting (infants and children may constantly rub their nose and face, indicating facial numbness and tingling)
? Visual disturbances and/or uncoordinated eye movements
? Difficulty swallowing and "swollen tongue" sensation with excessive drooling
? Slurred speech
? Muscle twitching
? Restlessness and irritability
? Respiratory problems with possible respiratory arrest
[This message has been edited by U2ITNOL (edited 04-13-2002).]
