Scorpions are known for their toxic stinger located at the end of their tail, which contains a clear, colorless venom composed of neurotoxins, hemotoxins, hemorrhagic toxins, and cardiotoxins. These creatures are nocturnal and often hide under stones, but they may enter indoor spaces during rainy periods. The venom of scorpions found in Northeast China is as potent as that of a cobra. If not treated promptly, a sting can be fatal within four days.
Symptoms of Scorpion Stings:
- Redness, swelling, burning pain, and numbness at the sting site
- Bleeding and visible sting marks
- Paralysis of the respiratory center, initially exciting and then paralyzing blood vessels
- Excitation of the intestines, bladder, and skeletal muscles
- Additional symptoms include headache, salivation, tearing, drowsiness, photophobia, nausea, vomiting, muscle rigidity, heavy sweating, decreased body temperature, weak pulse, and rapid breathing
- In severe cases, pancreatitis, proteinuria, and hematuria may occur, with infants being more severely affected than adults
Emergency First Aid Steps:
- Local Treatment: Similar to treating a bee sting, apply a cold compress to the affected area.
- Topical Application: Use finely ground alum mixed with vinegar and apply it to the sting site.
- Herbal Remedies: Mix equal parts of realgar and calcined alum into a paste with tea and apply externally.
- Additional Topical Applications: Crush and apply snake venom, mint leaves, and indigo woad leaves to the sting site.
- Tourniquet Application: Tie a cloth tightly above the wound (3-4 cm from the sting) and loosen it every 10-15 minutes for 1-2 minutes to slow the spread of venom.
- Wound Cleansing: Cut open the wound and wash it with a 1:5000 potassium permanganate solution.
- Seek Medical Attention: For severe cases, continue local treatment while arranging for immediate transport to a hospital. Early administration of anti-scorpion venom serum, along with desensitization, sedation, and anti-shock treatments, is crucial.
Summary:
Emergency Procedures for Scorpion Stings: Local and Systemic Treatment