Scorpion sting

[chewbaccajones]

Well, I guess I am officially a Phoenecian since I got stung yesterday. Until yesterday I always thought a scorpion sting was like a bee sting - wow was I wrong. It happened on my middle finger and it made my hand and arm burn up to my elbow and made my arm numb from elbow to shoulder. 24 hours later now and I still cant feel my middle finger. Those little bastards pack a serious punch.

[fazm]

were u flipping it off or what?

[TruBluScreamer]

Ok serious questions what color was it and about how big was it?? Did you go to the ER???

[chewbaccajones]

I have to admit, I was a bit panicked. The initial sting was pretty painful. Then my finger went numb then my entire hand started hurting within 5 minutes, the my wrist. I went to my neighbors house, she is a nurse and he is a physical therapist. No ER, apparently that is really only for kids. If I could not breathe or my eyes started darting, I was supposed to go. If I started having trouble breathing, I would have seriously flipped the eff out. It happened at 9:30 in the morn and my entire arm still hurt when I fell asleep around 12:30 at night. Over 24 hours later and my finger feels like I got a large shot of novacaine - completely numb. I went back to finish the garage cleaning I started yesterday and found it. It was in a pile of books I picked up on the floor and I guess when I dropped the books, it killed the scorpion. I snapped a pic beside a bouganvilla flower for perspective but it is about 3 inches long spread out or the length of my middle finger.

Side note, having a real hard time typing today.

[AZSonicSnake]

wow! that thing is huge! that sounds like a not fun way to spend your saturday! sorry to hear man. glad to hear your feelin better today though...

[wickedcobra]

From what I understand its better for it to be bigger, the smaller ones usually cant control the venom and hit you with everything. I've never been stung but my brother got hit on his booty while usinf the bathroom in a wherehouse.

[chewbaccajones]

I've never been stung but my brother got hit on his booty while usinf the bathroom in a wherehouse.

That would really suck, I have worried about that too. When he got it in the butt-tox, what happened? Did his whole leg go numb or what?

[Jacostang]

Yes! when it come to Scorpions the bigger the better and what happens if you have a "severe" reaction is like an Organo Phosphate type of poisioning.. Lungs fill up with fluid and your body starts to lose fluid out every opening, eyes, nose, mouth.. I had a 4 year old patient who had a sever reaction and we flew him to childrens where he did alright. The treatment is "Atropine" and Solu-Medrol steroids injections kind of like in the movies but depending on the size of the patient and the exposure we don't carry enough. Sounds like you had a "Typical Reaction" pain, numbness, loss of sensation. Watch for more symptoms and go to the er if you have any trouble breathing what so ever.. From your friendly HPS paramedic ...

[Torchmach]

They become active during the summer months and usally come out at night to feed on insects (mainly crickets, and moths). If you want to see if you have any in your yard, or home, wait untill it gets dark, and walk around with a black light, their bodys have a luminescence that attracts insects, and will show up under black light. The best way to control them is to keep your insect population under control, as Scorpions are tough little buggers to kill (A shovel blade is the most effective way!). They can survive under water (Your Swimming pool) for several hours, by going dormant.

They will hibernate during the winter, usally under tree bark, or under rocks. I've seen them run out of burning firewood in fireplaces. I hate the little buggers, but respect them, as they have been around since the age of dinosaurs.

[chewbaccajones]

From your friendly HPS paramedic ...

Well, now that I know what to expect from a scorpion I won't panic next time. What do you do if you get bit by a rattle snake? Tourniquet? Just go strait to the ER? Eat a cookie?