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Scorpion bites
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Despite the fact that all scorpions in North America sting, most of them are relatively safe; bites usually cause only local pain with minimal edema, in some cases develops lymphangitis with an increase in regional lymph nodes, as well as an increase in skin temperature and sensitivity around the wound.
Significant exception - wood scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus, also known as C . Exilicauda), living in Arizona, New Mexico and California on the shores of the Colorado River. This species is toxic and can cause more serious disorders. Initial signs are instant pain and sometimes numbness or tingling in the stung area. Puffiness usually does not, skin changes are insignificant. The severe symptoms typical of children are:
- excitation (dysphoria);
- muscle spasms;
- pathological or spontaneous movements of the head, neck and eyes;
- anxiety and excitement;
- sweating and hypersalivation.
In adults, tachycardia, hypertension, rapid breathing, weakness, muscle spasms and fasciculations may predominate. In both age groups, difficulty breathing is noted rarely. Bites On . sculpturatus can cause death in children (<6 cases per year) and people with hypersensitivity.
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Diagnosis and treatment of scorpion bites
The diagnosis is usually based on the history. However, it should be remembered that several species of scorpions are kept in the US by lovers of exotics (the names of which are groundlessly attributed to them toxicity: yellow death stalker (yellow deadly hunter) - Palestinian yellow scorpion and black death scorpion - black scorpion) similar to species carrying a very dangerous poison. Cases of bites by domestic scorpions are rare, but if it happened, then the diagnosis based on the story of the victim is unreliable. All bites should be treated as potentially dangerous, until symptoms or absence of symptoms show the opposite.
Treatment of bites of non-poisonous scorpions is nonspecific; ice on the wound and oral intake of NSAIDs relieve pain. Treatment of poisonous bites Centruroides consists in rest, the appointment of benzodiazepines in muscle spasms and intravenous medications to reduce blood pressure, tranquilizers and analgesics. During 8-12 hours after a bite, hunger is shown. Antidote, available in the US only in Arizona, should be administered in an intensive care unit in all serious cases and those who do not respond to supportive care, especially children. Information on the use and doses of antidotes in the US can be obtained from the regional poison control centers.