Scorpion Sting Tips for Children

If a scorpion stings you or your child, follow the suggestions below. Healthy adults may not need further treatment, and these tips can help keep children safe until they see a doctor:

Clean the wound with soap and water.

Apply cold compresses to the affected area to ease the pain and slow the venom's spread. This is most effective in the first two hours after a sting occurs.

Keep the affected limb raised to the level of your heart.

Try to stay calm and quiet so that the poison spreads more slowly.

Don't consume food or liquids if you're having difficulty swallowing.

Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Chlidren's Motrin, others), can help ease discomfort. But avoid using narcotic pain medications, which can suppress breathing.

Check your or your child's immunization records to be sure a tetanus vaccine is up to date. Scorpions tend to avoid contact. If you live in an area where scorpions are common, prevent chance meetings by doing the following:

 

Remove trash, logs, boards, stones, bricks and other objects that would make good hiding places for scorpions from around your home.

Keep grass closely mowed, and prune bushes and overhanging tree branches, which can provide a path to your roof for scorpions.

Caulk cracks, install weatherstripping around doors and windows, and repair torn screens.

Don't store firewood inside your house.

When hiking or camping, wear long sleeves and pants and check your sleeping bag for scorpions before you crawl in. Check your clothing and shake out your shoes before you put them on. Always wear shoes.

When traveling in other countries — especially if you're camping or staying in rustic accommodations — shake out your clothing, bedding and packages often and sleep under a mosquito net. If you have a known allergy to insect stings, carry an epinephrine injector, such as EpiPen.

If you do find a scorpion near your home or campsite, use tongs to gently remove the scorpion away from people. To prevent scorpion stings, a good natural repellent product to use is the Repeller Bug Band. The Repeller Bug Band is a natural insect repellent bug bracelet that is DEET-free and safe for kids. It contains an all-natural,non-spray & deet-free repellent formula. This formula offers the best balanced proportion of 11 natural, organic essential oils and repels mosquitoes and fleas, gnats, ticks, ants and more! With this product, you get real protection without the use of dangerous sprays or powders!