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Scorpion Sting First Aid Tips

Living in the Phoenix area, you know all too well about those eight-legged, dual-pincher, and piercing tail monsters with whom we share the desert. Scorpions are extremely intimidating looking, but thankfully, their barks are much worse than their bites—at least if you get a scorpion sting in the U.S.

Thankfully, scorpion stings in the Phoenix area are not deadly. But it can still be a scary situation when you get stung. Keep this list handy for what you need to do if you encounter a scorpion and it doesn’t go well.

Arizona Bark Scorpion Stings

The Arizona bark scorpion is the most venomous scorpion in North America. Unfortunately, it’s also the most common scorpion found in and around homes in Arizona. A sting from an Arizona bark scorpion causes far different symptoms for different people.

Some people report a bark scorpion sting as being the equivalent of being bitten by an ant. Others have severe pain or a burning sensation at the sting site, along with swelling, numbness that can spread throughout the body, even high blood pressure and trouble breathing. Luckily, most people fall in between these two scenarios and report a scorpion sting being about as bad as a sting from a wasp or slightly worse.

Manage Your Scorpion Sting at Home

Most Phoenix residents who have had a scorpion sting can take care of the issue at home. First things first: You need to assess the damage. Then you can move forward with alleviating pain.

Follow these steps if you get stung by a scorpion:

  • First, find the sting location. This might sound easy, but it’s sometimes difficult to locate due to spreading pain or numbness. Look at extremities, such as hands and feet, first.
  • Clean the sting site with soap and water as soon as possible. This will clear the wound and wash away any residual venom.
  • Counter to most wound treatments, you will want to keep your scorpion sting below heart level if possible. Keeping your sting site low will help prevent the venom from spreading.
  • Try to keep calm and relax. Excitement can lead to a higher heart rate, which will spread the venom faster and only cause more pain.
  • Grab an ice pack and press it against your scorpion sting for 10- to 15-minute intervals. Cooling the area will slow down the spread of the venom, alleviate the pain, and reduce the swelling. This is especially effective within the first two hours after the sting.
  • Take some painkillers: ibuprofen, Tylenol, and aspirin will all do the trick. This will definitely help with the pain management.
  • Cut an onion in half and apply it to your scorpion sting site. Onion has anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties that will both reduce the pain and help prevent infection.

The most common time for scorpion stings is in August. It’s hard to say how many people get stung each year since many don’t report the sting. However, if you have severe pain or life-threatening options, call poison control (800-222-1222) or head to the local emergency room.

When Scorpions Become Too Much

Tired of dealing with scorpions inside your home? It might be time to call in the pros. Budget Brothers has extensive experience dealing with scorpions, and we’ll get rid of the problem before you have to worry about another sting!