Scorpion stings in Australia: five definite stings and a review

Abstract

Despite scorpions being locally abundant in many parts of Australia, scorpion sting is a poorly defined clinical condition in Australia. Many health-care workers are unaware of the effects of their stings and scorpions are often feared based on their international reputation. Five scorpion stings that occurred in different parts of Australia where the scorpion was caught at the time of the sting and identified by a professional arachnologist are reported in the present paper. The spectrum of clinical effects of scorpion stings in Australia and the potential for significant effects are discussed. These cases and recent prospective case series demonstrate that in Australia scorpion stings cause only minor effects. The main effect is localized pain lasting for several hours, associated less commonly with systemic effects, local numbness and paraesthesia. Most stings are from smaller scorpions from the family Buthidae and often occur indoors at night. The stings from Australian buthid scorpions cause more severe effects than from the larger species in the families Urodacidae (genus Urodacus) and Liochelidae (genus Liocheles).

Heated Debates: Hot-Water Immersion or Ice Packs as First Aid for Cnidarian Envenomations?

“…For terrestrial envenomations, hot-water immersion was less commonly recommended (Table 5) [74,75,76,77,78], although there has been some support for the use of targeted, localized heat in the treatment of insect bites and stings [79]. Heat therapy is specifically contraindicated for recluse spider envenomations ( Loxoceles spp.…”

The risky business of being an entomologist: A systematic review

“…Four studies reported envenomation, however Stern et al (2000), and Roll and Schmid-Grendelmeier (2005) reported that the entomologists in their studies were allergic to the venom, hence these have been classified as allergies. Bush et al (2001) and Isbister et al (2004) did not specify the type of reaction, and have therefore been classified as unspecified venom reactions. The majority of the included studies (n¼ 42) addressed allergies.…”

“…Allergy: Calliphora vomitoria (Diptera), Aphomia sociella (Lepidoptera), Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera) and Hypopta agavis (Lepidoptera) Symptoms: Asthma, urticaria, and rhinoconjunctivitis Isbister et al (2004) 1990-2000s entomologists who had reported these symptoms. Wearing masks (Kaufman et al, 1986;Solley and Hyatt, 1980) and other forms of protective clothing (Monk 1988) reportedly helped in some cases.…”

“…For scorpions and Scolopendromorpha envenomation there was no testing regarding allergies, hence it is unclear whether these reactions were allergic and/or toxic. Reported reactions to Scolopendromorpha were pain, burning sensation, swelling, red streak, felt 'unwell', bleeding, erythema, throbbing, 'sprained' sensation, nausea, pruritus, lump, flushed feeling, and altered sensation (Bush et al, 2001), and Scorpiones reactions including pain, tingling, burning, bleeding, hypersensitivity and paraesthesia (Isbister et al, 2004). The symptoms for other allergic reactions are summarised in Table 6 where there was clinical evidence of the allergy (see Appendix A).…”

Chemical Control of Spiders and Scorpions in Urban Areas

“…In Spain, less than 1% of the scorpion stings can be regarded as severe and no deaths have been recorded [18]. Scorpionism is low in Australia too; the stings from Australian buthid scorpions have more severe effects than those from the larger species in the Urodacidae (genus Urodacus) and Liochelidae (genus Liocheles) families [155]. In the United States, deaths from scorpionism are extremely rare [17,18].…”