How to treat a scorpion sting

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 15 February 2021
Update Date: 1 July 2024
Anonim
Scorpion Sting
Video: Scorpion Sting

Content

There are at least 1,500 species of scorpions in the world, but only 25 secrete venom that can cause serious harm to adults. However, any scorpion sting can cause an allergic reaction, which is also very dangerous. Even if you have identified scorpions and know they are harmless, you should still treat your wound and be ready to call an ambulance if you notice any symptoms other than mild pain and swelling.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Getting medical help

  1. Call an ambulance if necessary. If the victim has the following symptoms in addition to pain and mild swelling, get emergency medical attention. You should also call the ambulance if you suspect it is a dangerous scorpion (see scorpion identification), or if the victim is a child, the elderly, someone with heart or lung disease. Some serious systemic symptoms include muscle spasm, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, an allergic reaction, and may also include symptoms similar to that of a snake bite.
    • Search the internet for a list of emergency numbers for emergency numbers in other countries.

  2. Call poison control for advice. If you do not need emergency care right away, call a poison control center to report your symptoms and seek professional advice. If a poison control center in your area is not listed below, you can go online to find the name of your area and the keyword "poison center". If you can't find a phone number, call one of the long-distance numbers below, choosing a location as close to your location as possible.
    • In the US, call poison control help at 1-800-222-1222, or look up this data to find the nearest poison control center.
    • Outside the US, you can find the poison control center's location using the World Health Organization data.

  3. Describe the victim over the phone. The victim's age and estimated weight are a useful factor in helping health-care workers assess risks and recommend actions. If the victim exhibits an allergic reaction or an underlying medical condition, especially an allergy to insect bites or medication, notify emergency services or poison control.
    • Also describe the exact time the victim was injected if possible. If you are not sure, say so and mention when you discovered the wound.

  4. Describe a scorpion with a medical aide over the phone. The emergency response service may not be able to give phone advice, but the poison control center will usually ask you to describe the scorpion in detail. See scorpion identification for signs of danger and how to catch a scorpion if it is still around.
  5. Find someone to follow up with the victim and take them to hospital if necessary. Since the scorpion venom can cause involuntary movements of the muscles, the victim may not be able to drive or walk if dangerous symptoms develop. You need to find someone who has a car or other means of transportation that can take the victim to hospital, in case they cannot access ambulance services. The victim should not be left alone for at least 24 hours, and it is best to follow up for the next week if symptoms get worse. advertisement

Part 2 of 3: Treating the sting at home

  1. Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe. In any case, children, infants, the elderly, and people with heart or lung disease need medical attention if stung by a scorpion. However, most scorpion stings can be treated at home, although the most dangerous type of venom requires specialist treatment. Get medical help right away if you notice one of the following symptoms.
    • Vomiting, sweating, drooling, or a foamy mouth
    • Urination or incontinence
    • Struggling or muscle twitching, including unconscious movement of the head, neck, eyes, or unsteady steps
    • Increased or irregular heartbeat
    • Difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, speaking or seeing
    • Swelling due to an allergic reaction
  2. Find the location of the wound. The scorpion sting may or may not be swollen. However, any scorpion sting will cause a stinging or burning sensation when it is stung, followed by a stinging and numb feeling. The injection site is usually in the lower body, but can also be anywhere on the body.
  3. Wash the affected area with soap and water. Carefully remove clothing around the wound and gently wash it. This will remove any remaining venom traces around the injection site and keep the wound clean to reduce the risk of infection.
  4. Keep the affected area still and lower the heart. Unlike some other wounds, scorpion stings should never be taller than the heart, as this will cause the venom to spread to the entire body faster. Keep the wound lower than your heart and limit movement to stop the heart from beating faster, causing the venom to spread faster.
  5. Reassure the victim. Anxiety or panic can cause the heart to beat faster, resulting in a faster rate of venom absorption. If possible, reassure the person and avoid letting them move. Remind them that most scorpion stings do not leave any permanent damage.
  6. Apply an ice pack or ice pack to the affected area. The cold helps slow the rate at which venom spreads in the bloodstream, reduces swelling, and numbs the pain. Apply an ice pack or ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, waiting for the same amount of time between each application. This treatment is most effective within 2 hours of the injury.
    • If the victim has circulatory problems, the time to apply ice should be only 5 minutes at a time to avoid injury.
  7. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Use ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen for pain and discomfort. Always follow the directions on the package label. Do not take opioid pain relievers (opioids) because they can inhibit breathing. Ibuprofen and aspirin are best, as they are both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that help reduce swelling. Seek medical attention if pain is severe.
  8. Give first aid if necessary . Unconsciousness or severe spasms are rare, but if you do, call for emergency help right away. Learn the basic and quick cardiopulmonary steps that you can take if you suspect they have cardiac arrest.
  9. Go to the doctor to check again. Even if you feel better with home remedies, it is still a good idea to see your doctor or medical professional again. To reduce your risk of infection and other complications, you may be advised to get a tetanus shot, take muscle relaxants, or take antibiotics. Do not take these medications without your doctor's instructions. advertisement

Part 3 of 3: Identifying scorpions

  1. Only catch the scorpion if you can safely do this. You should prioritize rescuing the victim rather than capturing the scorpion.However, the scorpion identification will allow you to determine whether medical treatment is needed, and in the case of a venomous scorpion, it will help the health professional choose the right treatment. . If you have a glass jar many times larger than a scorpion (a capacity of about 1 liter is usually suitable), you can try to capture it so that a specialist can identify it. However, if you cannot see the scorpion or do not have a suitable container, then should not try to do this step.
    • Find a large glass jar, large enough to easily snap onto the scorpion, and high enough that the scorpion won't sting your arm when you hold it upside down. If so, use tongs that are at least 25 cm long.
    • Catch the scorpion with a jar or tongs. Hold the jar upside down and place it neatly on the scorpion. If you have tongs long enough to be used out of danger, grab the scorpion tightly and place it in a jar.
    • Screw the lid on the bottle. If the jar is upside down, put a piece of "hard" paper or cardboard under the jar mouth, hold the outside, and turn the jar over. Cover the jar or use a large, heavy book to block it on top of the bottle.
  2. Take a photo of the scorpion if you can't catch it. If you don't have the right tools to capture a scorpion, you can photograph it. Take multiple photos from different angles if possible. Having pictures to collate will help you to identify details you may not remember, and if you need to seek professional care, it will help your health care professional identify the species of scorpio.
  3. Assuming a scorpion with a fat tail can be dangerous. Scorpions with thick stubs and thick tails are often more dangerous than scorpions with thin stings. While capturing or photographing scorpions is still helpful in identifying scorpions, you should still seek medical attention even if serious symptoms are not present, especially if you are in Africa, India or America.
    • If you see only the scorpion's claws clearly, you can estimate the risk through its claws: the larger, stronger pair often indicates that the scorpion relies on the pair for defense rather than on venom. poison. This is not obvious, but it is also useful information for you to report to your healthcare professional.
  4. Identification of dangerous scorpio species in the United States and northern Mexico. If you are in the southwestern United States or northern Mexico, you should go online to find a picture of the "Arizona bark scorpion" and compare it with the scorpion that has caused the wound. Note that scorpions in upland areas often have stripes, while scorpions that live in the desert usually have a light brown or skin color. The stings of these scorpio species can be fatal and require urgent medical attention.
    • If you are located in other parts of the United States there is less risk of serious injury from a scorpion injury. You should still treat the wound as described above and be ready to see your doctor if you have an allergic reaction or other serious symptoms.
  5. Identification of dangerous scorpio species in the Middle East and Africa. The "deathstalker scorpion", also known as the Israeli desert scorpion, grows to 11.5 cm, can come in a variety of colors and the pair comes in many sizes. Due to the risk of heart or lung failure associated with the sting of this scorpion, any scorpion bite smaller than the hand of an adult living in this area requires medical treatment as soon as possible. the better.
    • As mentioned above, fat-tailed scorpions can be extremely dangerous, and many species are found in this area.
    • Scorpio species with thin tails and unidentified generally carry a low risk, but since the population of scorpio species in Africa is so large and not all species are well studied, you should be ready to find them. Get medical attention if you have any symptoms other than mild pain and swelling.
  6. Identification of dangerous scorpio species in Central America and South America. Most scorpio species in this area are not dangerous to adults, but there are a few exceptions. One of the most dangerous species is the "Brazilian yellow scorpion"; like many other dangerous scorpions, they often have a thick, fat tail.
  7. Identification of dangerous scorpion species in other regions. Few of these scorpions can cause serious harm or death to an adult, but since not all scorpions are identified, it is still best to seek medical help. medical care if the victim has symptoms other than mild pain and swelling at the site of the injection site.
    • Stings from small, red or orange scorpions in India, Nepal, or Pakistan should get immediate medical attention. They may be the Indian red scorpions.
    • Low risk of death and serious injury to adults due to scorpion venom from Europe, Australia or New Zealand. Identification is still a good idea in the event that you actually have severe symptoms and need to report it to your healthcare provider.
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Advice

  • A scorpion leaves no stinger in the wound. You do not need to remove anything from the wound.
  • Always check your shoes before you get on your feet. Scorpio likes warm, moist, and dark places.
  • When wandering in scorpion-inhabited areas, you should avoid dark places, including small rocks. Usually not only scorpions but predators also lurk in these places.
  • Reduce the risk of getting stung by a scorpion by avoiding dark, cool, and humid places like wood piles and basement corners. To check for their presence in your home, take the following steps:
    • Buy ultraviolet light or portable flashlight, or attach ultraviolet light bulb to lamp holder.
    • Use a light in every room of your home where you suspect a scorpion has entered.
    • Look for reflective blue light. It was the color emitted from scorpions under ultraviolet light.

Warning

  • Do not cut into the wound site, as this can cause bleeding or dangerous infection and also cannot remove the venom from the blood.
  • Do not try to suck the venom through your mouth. A healthcare professional may try to pull the venom out with a suction device, but this is not necessarily effective.