Scorpions are a member of the Arachnida class and are closely related to spiders, ticks, and mites. Scorpions have two pincers, 8 legs and an elongated body with a tail composed of segments; they range in length from about 2½" to 8". Some species are smaller, more translucent, and harder to see. They may appear as a thin string on the ground. The last tail segment contains the stinger (also termed a telson) that transmits a toxin to the recipient of a sting. Most scorpions are harmless.

Although about 2000 species exist, only about 25-40 species can deliver enough venom to cause serious or lethal damage to humans. One of the more venomous or potentially dangerous species, especially for infants, young children, and the elderly in the United States is the Bark Scorpion (shown on the right). Contact with scorpions is usually accidental. Their stings are painful and in most cases not life threatening, however as stated, they can be fatal, particularly to children. Scorpions may sting more than once; the stinger, located at the end of the tail segment is usually not lost or left in the person's tissue after a sting.

Scorpions come in a variety of colors - from near transparent yellow or tan to light brown to black. Each has a long tail segment that contains a stinger. Scorpions are found in highest numbers across the southern United States and in arid or desert regions and some even reside in cold climates. Scorpions hunt at night and hide along rocks or in trees during the days.

Scorpion Sting Symptoms
In general, the sting usually causes discomfort that slowly decreases over time. The discomfort, described below, usually ranges from moderate to severe.

  • A person who has been stung by a scorpion may feel a painful, tingling, burning or numbing sensation at the sting site.
  • The reaction at the sting site may appear mild. Rarely, a person experiencing a serious reaction may develop severe symptoms throughout the body. Severe symptoms include widespread numbness, difficulty swallowing, a thick tongue, blurred vision, roving eye movements, seizures, salivation, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms constitute a medical emergency. Death may occur.
When to Seek Medical Care for a Scorpion Sting
Most infants, small children and the elderly, especially if they are stung by a Bark Scorpion, which inhabits large areas in Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico, should be seen quickly by a doctor as some of the severe reactions occur in these populations. However, anyone who experiences the severe symptoms listed above after a scorpion sting needs immediate treatment in an emergency department.

What to do:

  • Call 911 and Poison Control (1-800-222-1222)
  • Continuously apply ice to the sting area.
  • If there is no danger to other people, carefully collect a dead or injured scorpion and place into a sealed container to show to the physician. It may be helpful.
  • Anti venom therapy is available for the Bark Scorpion, Researchers are developing anti venom to other species of scorpions.
  • All but the mildest of symptoms require hospital admission for 24 hours of observation, especially for children.
Scorpion Sting Prevention
 Many scorpion stings can be prevented by taking precautions such as shaking out clothing and shoes to dislodge any scorpions, wearing clothing that covers the body (for example, wearing gloves and tucking in pant legs into boots may limit exposure).

Most investigators suggest that if a scorpion is seen or felt on the skin, it is better to brush it off quickly instead of slapping at it because the scorpion will likely sting if the slap does not kill it.

Scorpions glow (fluoresce) under UV light (black light), so if a person is doing tasks in areas where scorpions might reside (dark areas like a mine or cave), people can use a black light to find them before they sting.