First Aid For Scorpion Sting

A scorpion sting can be very painful but it rarely causes death. Only a few kinds of scorpions are poisonous. After a scorpion sting, you may experience symptoms such as pain, a burning sensation, and swelling of the area that was stung. Most scorpion stings happen on one’s hands, legs, feet, and arms, and they usually resolve in 48 hours with first aid. In this post, we’ll be discussing first aid for scorpion sting – what to do when a scorpion stings and how to treat it.

Applying first aid immediately when you get bitten by a scorpion helps in relieving the symptoms. The following are first aid tips:

• First of all, find the area of the sting, remove any form of obstruction like watches, or pieces of jewelry, and wash the area with soapy water.
• Apply something cold like an ice block wrapped in a cloth around the stung area. You can apply this for about ten minutes.
• Use painkillers like paracetamol or diclofenac to relieve the pain.
• Do not cut or massage the site. That may lead to an infection.
• Elevate the area that was stung so it is at the same level as your heart. This reduces bleeding from the sting site.
• If symptoms do not reduce or seem to be getting worse seek medical care.

If you experience any of the following, ensure you visit your healthcare provider:

• The sting causes serious allergic reactions. These reactions can lead to difficulty in breathing, seizures, chest tightness and swelling of your hands or face. This is an emergency and your healthcare provider should be contacted as soon as possible.
• Symptoms do not go away within 48 hours after first aid is applied.
• A child gets stung. Scorpion stings are more dangerous to children than adults.

• Tidy your environment: scorpions tend to stay under stones, wood and in dark places. Keep wood and rocks away from your house. Be careful when you remove these by checking under them to avoid scorpion stings.
• Wear protective gear: when cleaning your house surroundings or working on a farm, ensure that you wear protective items of clothing. These items of clothing include gloves, long boots and long pants.
• Shake your shoes before wearing them: ensure you shake your shoes upside down, especially if they haven’t been worn in a long time. Scorpions may hide in them.
• Keep your kids safe: prevent them from going out barefooted and playing in places where scorpions may live.
• Take extra care when you travel or live in places where scorpions are common.

Scorpion stings most times are harmless. Take painkillers to reduce the pain that comes with a sting. Take care of your surroundings, clear bushes, block holes in your house and stay vigilant always. Do not forget to shake your shoes before wearing them and wear protective clothing when you clear your house and surroundings or work in the fields. Visit your healthcare provider if, after being stung, you find it difficult to breathe or when the symptoms (pain, a burning sensation and swelling) do not go away in 48 hours.