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Suggest Treatment For Scorpion Bite And Associated Allergies

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Posted on Tue, 31 Mar 2015
Question: We found a scorpion in my son shoe. I attach on the photo. my son is five years old he is a boy my wife and I we are 30 years old if this scorpion bite us I mean sting us will it be fatal. If one of the scorpion stings us Will we require to go to the hospital it's very expensive or will it be something minor like a Bea sting I heard mixed opinions The anti-venom for the scorpion sting is $80,000 and my insurance does not cover it. We have no known allergies for bees or scorpions if we do we need to seek medical care how will I know when to go or when will I skip it.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No hospitalization required in USA for most scorpion bites.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It seems to me that you are rather worried about being bitten by a scorpion. According to you, a scorpion was found in your son's shoe. Well in roughly 80% of the cases, scorpion bites DO NOT KILL the person who has been stung. There are different types of scorpions, these are called species of scorpion. The fact is that out of dozens of species ONLY TWO scorpions can kill humans. One is found in South XXXXXXX and the other is found in the middle east. The reason that the anti-venom is so expensive, because of the rare probability that any of these 2 species bite someone in the US. The best way to deal with scorpion bites is to avoid them in the first place. You can keep bug killer sprays in your house. This is the most practical way to deal with a scorpion bite. Avoid it. A single ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. Spray insecticide and dust the house. Avoid a scorpion bite in the same way you would drive carefully to avoid traffic accidents. I hope this helps. Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (36 minutes later)
These are the one i found. Its called a bark scorpion as i found out. What should i do if i do get sting or my son someone told me they can kill the young and elderly people. It that true. How painful is the sting can my son handle it. What kind of medication should i use this is the fifth one i found im very concern whats your opinion. I forgot to show you a picture at first post.?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
The solution to your bark scorpion problem.

Detailed Answer:
Hi!
1. I can see the point and understand your situation. Apparently the place where you live is frequented by such scorpions. You have further mentioned that prices of scorpion anti-venom are very expensive. The best cure for this is prevention. Please call up the local animal control authority guys in your area and report it to them.

2. There is a drug called as Prazosin that is available. In USA, it is called "minipress". It has been shown to help very marginally but however it is a prescription drug and it's not like after being bitten by a scorpion you can immediately take it and claim a cure. Only if the scorpion bite has resulted in a very high BP and other hypertension related problems, it is administered.

But however let me reiterate the point about prevention. You haven't yet been stung by a scorpion. I appreciate the foresight you have but it is of paramount importance to first prevent it. There is no medication that can prevent being stung than prevention. This can only be done by local animal control department. And also getting everything in house re-sorted to look for any other scorpions and getting rid of them will go a long way in allaying your fears. Remember the fear of a scorpion bite does a major job on you when you are actually stung.

3. From now on be bold and happy that you will NEVER EVER have to spend $82,000 for scorpion anti venom if in the first case you prevent one from happening.


4. HOWEVER if *any* scorpion bites you, then follow these instructions...
Call 911 immediately.
1. Take Advil (Ibuprofen) tablets for stopping the pain.
2. Wash the wound in fresh water.
3. Lie down in bed, and don't move the part of your body where you
have been bitten.
4. Apply Ice to the wound.
Remember the complete management of the sting happens in ICU. It has to be managed in the ICU unit and be treated symptomatically.
5. MOST IMPORTANTLY: I'm politely asking you to visit a local doctor as
regards all this information. Please do not get into the habit of taking
medicines after looking them up on the internet.

Please take care of your health. It's been good knowing you.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 532 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Scorpion Bite And Associated Allergies

Brief Answer: No hospitalization required in USA for most scorpion bites. Detailed Answer: Hi, It seems to me that you are rather worried about being bitten by a scorpion. According to you, a scorpion was found in your son's shoe. Well in roughly 80% of the cases, scorpion bites DO NOT KILL the person who has been stung. There are different types of scorpions, these are called species of scorpion. The fact is that out of dozens of species ONLY TWO scorpions can kill humans. One is found in South XXXXXXX and the other is found in the middle east. The reason that the anti-venom is so expensive, because of the rare probability that any of these 2 species bite someone in the US. The best way to deal with scorpion bites is to avoid them in the first place. You can keep bug killer sprays in your house. This is the most practical way to deal with a scorpion bite. Avoid it. A single ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. Spray insecticide and dust the house. Avoid a scorpion bite in the same way you would drive carefully to avoid traffic accidents. I hope this helps. Take care.