Care Advice
Scorpion Sting Treatment
- What You Should Know about Scorpion Stings:
- The main symptoms are pain, tingling and numbness only in the sting area.
- Symptoms shouldn't be any worse than a bad bee sting.
- Sometimes, the arm or leg with the sting gets waves of tingling and pain.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
- Clean the Sting Site:
- Wash the sting site well with soap and water.
- Cold Pack for Pain:
- For pain or swelling, use a cold pack. You can also use ice wrapped in a wet cloth.
- Put it on the sting for 20 minutes.
- Pain Medicine:
- To help with the pain, give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
- Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil).
- Use as needed.
- Treatment of Painful Shock Waves up the Arm or Leg:
- Until they go away, keep using the pain medicine as needed.
- Also, try to avoid bumping that arm or leg.
- What to Expect:
- Pain at the sting site is usually gone by 24 hours.
- Shock waves of tingling also gone by 24 hours.
- Numbness and tingling around the sting may last 2 to 3 days.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- Serious symptoms occur
- Pain, tingling or numbness start on both sides of the body
- Sting starts to look infected
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Prevent Scorpion Stings
- Prevent Scorpion Stings:
- Do not walk barefoot in the desert, especially at night. Scorpions are most active at night.
- Check your shoes before you put them on (shake them).
- Shake out clothes, towels, bedding, and sleeping bags before using.
- Roll back your sheets at night, before getting into bed.
- Prevent Scorpions Around Your Home:
- Clear away any piles of wood or debris that are near the house. Scorpions hide there.
- Weatherstrip your windows and doors.
- Place the legs of a baby's crib in wide-mouthed glass jars. Scorpions can't climb glass.
- Hire a pest control expert for repeated problems.
- Call Your Doctor If:
And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.