What to do if a scorpion stings you: first aid tips that could save your life
A sting in the tail doesn’t have to turn into a medical horror show, but it’s important to know what to do in those first critical minutes.
There’s no sugarcoating it: getting stung by a scorpion – and I’m not talking about an overpriced German rock band ticket – hurts like hell. But unless you’re in a badly researched movie or happen to be a very unlucky child in Arizona (see video below), most of these stings aren’t fatal and rarely lead to serious medical issues. Still, a fast and calm response can make all the difference, especially if symptoms start to escalate. Luckily for us, the clever people at Mayo Clinic are here to guide.
How bad is a scorpion sting?
If you’ve been stung and feel mostly okay (just a lot of pain and maybe some tingling), you can probably stay home and recover on your couch, not in the ER. Clean the sting site with mild soap and water, then apply a cold compress to take the sting out of the sting. If the area’s swelling, elevate the limb and take an over-the-counter painkiller like ibuprofen.
But if you or your child start to show more serious signs – like trouble breathing, muscle twitching, drooling, or difficulty swallowing – it’s time to put pride aside and get medical help fast. These are symptoms of venom that’s spreading and affecting your nervous system. In these cases, anti-venom may be given (especially for young children), and the patient might be admitted to hospital for monitoring.
Who should I call for scorpion bite help?
Your best first move – especially for a child – is to call Poison Help at 800-222-1222. They’ll walk you through exactly what to do based on the species and symptoms.
One last sting in the tail: check that your tetanus shots are up to date. While a scorpion sting may not kill you, bad timing and worse luck can still ruin your week.
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