Scorpion Sting

Most stings are painful but some species are dangerous

Step by Step

Most scorpion stings cause intense local pain, swelling, and tingling without being dangerous. Wash the site, apply a cold compress, and give simple pain relief following pack instructions. Children and older adults are at higher risk. Call emergency services, or seek urgent care, for stings by dangerous species such as bark scorpions in the Americas, or species in North Africa, the Middle East, and India, and for any sting with difficulty breathing, drooling, muscle twitching, roving eye movements, vomiting, sweating, high blood pressure, or unusual drowsiness, especially in a child. Antivenom exists for severe cases. Try to photograph the scorpion only if safe. Do not cut or suck the wound, and skip the folk remedies.