How to Cure a Scorpion Sting on the Foot

Scorpions, which are an order of arachnids, use venom to incapacitate prey and ward off potential predators. Perhaps 20 of the more than 1,050 species worldwide possess toxins of sufficient potency to kill humans (see Reference 1). In North America, only the Arizona bark scorpion has such a venom---and the main lethal risk is to children and the infirm. As scorpions are typically non-aggressive, stings typically occur when they're feeling threatened. The foot is a common location for such injuries because scorpions often frequent shoes, not to mention holes and crevices; be diligent about checking footwear in areas where scorpions are present.

Things You'll Need

• Icepack
• Ointment

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Instructions

• 1

  Call the National Poison Center at [phone] with any questions or concerns. This free, 24-hour hotline can provide information on any sting, whether it's severe or not. Contact a physician if you're unsure about a reaction or believe the sting may warrant professional medical attention. If it's feasible, bring the offending scorpion in with you to the doctor.

• 2

  Stay calm and limit your movements, especially of the stung foot. This will slow or limit the spread of the poison.

• 3

  Wash the wound with soap and water, as recommended by the Mayo Clinic. Especially during the first two hours following a sting, treat the wound with cold compresses (see Reference 2). Medline Plus---an online production of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health---recommends repeatedly alternating 10 minutes of applying an icepack (appropriately wrapped) to the wound with 10 minutes off; ice application should be more limited for individuals with circulatory issues (see Reference 3).

• 4

  Salve the sting with antihistamine and/or coricosteroid-based ointments (see Reference 4, Comments).

• 5

  Be wary of eating and drinking, as the sting may provoke swelling of the throat and difficulty swallowing (see Reference 2).

• 6

  Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or persist, and if there are any complications. Children younger than 6 are most at risk from scorpion venom (see Reference 3). Stings from more toxic species, such as the bark scorpion, may require intravenously applied sedatives and other professional treatment (see Reference 4, Comments).