Scorpions, part of the arachnid class, can look like something out of a horror movie. Like spiders, they have eight legs, thin pinchers (called pedipalps), and a venomous stinger on their tail. The average size of a scorpion is about 6 cm, but the largest known scorpion grows up to 21 cm! There are hundreds of types of scorpions. Thankfully, most of them are harmless, but a small handful – yikes! – of them can be dangerous and even potentially lethal to humans. Scorpions are found on all continents besides Antarctica, though in some places such as New Zealand and Great Britain they are not naturally occurring. Scorpions may be found in, basically, every ecosystem, as they are incredible adapters and are able to survive on even just one insect a year by altering their metabolism!
Let’s shed some more light on scorpions: Did you know that they glow when placed under ultraviolet light? No one is quite sure why this occurs; it may be a warning signal to possible predators or even a way to lure their prey. Either way, it is definitely pretty creepy.
For the most part, the scorpion’s venom is adapted to their lifestyle, and since their diet mostly consists of insects, their venom is typically relatively harmless to humans. Only about 25 species of scorpions are known to be lethal to humans; the majority of these are part of the Buthidae family. The two most common lethal scorpions found in the United States are the Arizona Bark Scorpion and the Striped Bark Scorpion. The Arizona Bark Scorpion is mainly found in the Southwest United States; fatalities from the sting of this scorpion are rare and the greatest risk is for the elderly and young children. The Striped Bark Scorpion is found more in the Central South and the Midwest of the United States; death is also fairly rare with the Striped Bark Scorpion, but the sting can be extremely painful.
So what happens if a human gets stung by a scorpion? Some common symptoms of a scorpion sting are a tingling or burning at the sting site, numbness, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, blurry vision, or seizures. In some rare cases, pancreatitis – a painful inflammation of the pancreas – may occur. Some symptoms of pancreatitis are abdominal pain, chills, fever, sweating, and nausea. Onset of symptoms is usually quite rapid and can last for between 24 to 48 hours.
If stung by a scorpion, the first thing to do is to make sure you get yourself out of harm’s way and avoid another sting. If possible, try to remember what color the scorpion is or snap a photo with your smartphone; do NOT try to catch the scorpion because you might end up getting stung a second time!
Once out of harm’s way, call 911 and then wash the sting site with soap and water, apply a cold compress for “10 minutes on, then 10 minutes off.” Importantly, avoid aspirin or ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) because these can cause the venom to spread through the body more quickly. Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can be taken to help relieve the pain at the site of the sting. Sometimes even more powerful pain medications, like opiates, are required to help alleviate pain. Taking an oral antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (such as Benadryl) can help reduce some of the swelling and itching, as well. Immobilize the area so as to protect the wound and to help delay spreading the venom through the blood more quickly. Do not attempt suction, and do not cut into the wound; these are just great ways to ensure an infection!
In general, it is a good idea to go and get checked out at the nearest hospital or health clinic if stung by a scorpion – especially if the species of scorpion is unknown.
I just got stung on my finger by a scorpion. Extremely painful. I rushed to a facility and was given an injection and medication. It still hurts one hour after the sting. I wonder how long this pain lasts.
I’m not scared of Scorpions, but I can feel the pain of it hitting me
Do not like scorpions
I just get stung by a black scorpion and it very painfull
It woke me up after it bit me. But I got a glimpse. I’m just glad I didn’t decide to get up and ignore the pain.
I was beaten by a scorpion today and i took garlic and some other medications. Do i need more treatment
Its ability to hide itself is amazing. .It kills children. ..and causes unbearable pain to adults. ..isn’t there a vaccine against its venom?
Literally just now, there was like a red-brown scorpion and it was a BABY. I’m 12 (which i would say only 12 because I’m scared of them) and I had to kill it. I had a shoe at first, which led to a metal baseball bat. With the shoe, I hit it the 2nd time and it fell, but it wasn’t dead. It crawled very fast, since it was a baby scorpion, and went underneath a dog bed. It then came out and surprisingly killed it with the shoe on carpet. The scorpion blended in with the carpet, which was difficult to find it, but I luckily killed it with a shoe on carpet. I ran downstairs to grab the metal bat and ran fast as I could to smash it really hard, which I did. Thankfully, I killed it, but some scorpions want to get into your bed for some reason. (I’m being serious) The worst thing that can happen is when you go to bed and get stung by it, blindsided if under the sheets. All I can say with a bunch of others, if you see a scorpion, KILL it. 🙂 (Even a scared 12 year old boy did)
a black scorpion stung my leg 4 days ago and I have not taken any medication..but am experiencing little pain…could it cause any damages
I got stung by a small scorpion yesterday night,I applied salt to it but I actually don’t feel any pain…Do I need to see the doctor…
pls scorpion bite me and I was injected with pain reliever but yet it still painful pls help me
So last night I was laying in bed with my headphones on, shirtless and out of nowhere I see a 🦂 coming towards me with its pinchers moving. I threw my sheets off me and I haven’t seen it since. Now I understand it’s that time of year again and they all looking for water but it felt like a near death experience for me.
I got beaten by small black scorpion 6 hours ago but it still hurts what’s happening to me😭😭😭
What happened when you stung by a black scorpoin?
I saw a scorpion today in street and freaked out. Didn’t expect it here.
I just got stung by a water scorpion in my finger taking it out of my dogs water dish and I didn’t know what it was. Now my finger is stiL stinging and swelling up. What can I do?
run scream run scream faint. that what i will do.
i got stung on my index finger nd i am 15. ?
Mine was white and still hurts what do I do now leg still hurts from foot up.er was last night.
My daughter saw a scorpion in Vegas I was too scared to come out but luckily no one got stung
What dose it look like the bit
If one kills scopion,what will happen?
If one kills them, what will happen?
Why blurred vision takes place due to scorpion bite..??
it will die
I got stung by a scorpion what can I do
GET THE CAT!!! CAT WILL KILL SCORPION!
i can’t tell u how painful it was to me when i was stung, the whole night i kept on crying when i was stung at 8 pm. it took 12 hour to relieve me of endless pain. so guys, stay way from such insects.
i love scorpion
Do the new born scorpion have stings already?? Please respond guys ASAP.
Yes they do.
I hated scorpions I wish they we’re not real
I got stung today on my big toe. It is very, very painful. I would say it is the worst pain I have ever had. I ended up going to the ER. I have severe allergies along with lupus and I am 66. They sent me home with 6 meds. My dogs were with me in the garage so I am glad it was me getting stung and not them.
you have a kind heart
I got stung twice,one was on ma nose and the other on ma finger and its 2:39am and i already took ibuprofen.. What should I do
If u r stung by a scorpion dont take it easy bcos its too dangerous jst run to a near clinic and get help
What’s most effective way to kill them…..I think they are unique and I love spiders they are the best
What if there is no medical attention then what?…….THUNDERBOLT mos. 19F/E
If you see a Scorpion, KILL it.
I am Dizango I was stung by a brown scorpion and it pains what should I do please help
I like it
I got stung by a light brown scorpion on my hands is paining
I have stung by a black scorpion,and i feel like something cut me off and more pain is it dengerous,what can i do to avoid the pain
I have found lots of scorpions, and, despite them seeming scary, try to run
rather than fight. I haven’t ever been stung by one, and probably won’t. So, as a note, be careful with scorpions, but don’t kill them on site.
I got stung by a light brown scorpion on my right heel …not swollen just a little pain..is it gonna be okay
Why not kill them on sight especially if in house?
I was stung by an unknown insect,I couldn’t see how it’s look like,now um on a huge pain and swallowing 😭😭