Stating that there is an increase in scorpion sting cases throughout the country, especially with the increase in heat in the summer, Emergency Medicine Specialist Lecturer Dr. Ferudun Çelikmen pointed out that the sting of some scorpion species may be life-threatening, especially in terms of conditions affecting the heart.

The Increase in Heat Also Brought the Risk of Scorpion Stings!

Many factors, such as heat, and more presence in open areas, lead to increased admissions to emergency services due to scorpion stings. Emergency Medicine Specialist Dr. Lecturer Ferudun Çelikmen said that scorpion stings rarely result in loss of life and this picture is generally seen in children under the age of 6, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases.

"Scorpion sting cases cause frequent visits to emergency services throughout the country, especially in the summer months, and in almost all seasons in our southern, eastern, and southeastern regions," said Yeditepe University Hospitals Emergency Medicine Specialist Assoc. Dr. Mustafa Ferudun Çelikmen and added that scorpion stings can rarely cause serious conditions. However, pointing out that vital consequences may occur as a result of the stings of some scorpion species, especially in terms of conditions affecting the heart, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çelikmen said, "Loss of life, which can rarely be seen, is observed in risky groups such as those with chronic diseases, the elderly and children under 6 years of age."

The Most Common Symptom Is Burning Pain

Providing information about the symptoms that will occur in case of a scorpion sting, Dr. Lecturer Ü. Ferudun Çelikmen explained the following: "After the scorpion sting, pain, burning, and numbness, if not frequent, may occur in the bitten region. The most common symptom is usually pain in the form of burning. As it may be in and around the partially stung place, some scorpion species may cause pain that may spread to the whole body and may spread outside the limb. The pain usually peaks within a few hours, rarely lasting 24-48 hours."

Explaining that it is necessary to avoid mistakes such as sucking, cutting, and burning after a scorpion sting, Assoc. Dr. Ü. Çelikmen said, "The scorpion inserts the needle in its tail and injects its venom. When the scorpion stabs its needle, it does not inject all of its venoms. For this reason, most of the scorpion stings in Türkiye do not cause vital consequences."

The Reaction in the Body Can Affect the Heart

Underlining that patients admitted to the emergency department due to scorpion stings should be evaluated in detail in terms of regional and whole-body findings, Dr. Lecturer Ferudun Çelikmen pointed out that scorpion venom can cause serious heart effects as a result of the reaction it creates in the body.
Dr. Ferudun Çelikmen explained the following about the treatment approach to be applied to the patients: "In all patients admitted to the emergency department due to scorpion sting, keeping the inserted area below the heart level, movement restriction to prevent the spread of poison, cold application to the inserted area and wiping the needle hole without rubbing with antiseptic liquids, tetanus vaccination are the applications in the first place. Then staging should be performed for further treatments."

Treatment is Determined According to the Stages of Scorpion Sting

Stating that the universe determined according to the complaints in scorpion stings determines the course of treatment, Dr. Lecturer Ü. Ferudun Çelikmen provided the following information on the subject: "There is no common symptom other than mild pain in the area bitten in stage 1. In stage 2, the pain is very severe and has spread outside the stinging limb, and there is a feeling of severe pain when touched. Common nerve-muscle findings, findings indicating that the nerves leading to the brain are affected such as throbbing in the limb, involuntary tremors, blurred vision, impaired eye movements, excessive salivation, tremor in the muscles, difficulty swallowing, low blood pressure define stage 3. Muscle cramps spreading throughout the body after a scorpion sting, numbness, and loss of sensation due to nerve involvement, heart attack, fluid accumulation in the lungs, and shock indicate that the condition has reached stage 4.  In general, scorpion serum is not administered to the patient in stage 1.  One dose in stage 2 and 1-2 doses in stage 2-3 can be administered. All patients should be followed up for at least 6 hours in emergency observation, and patients with common findings should be hospitalized. Patients should be monitored absolutely, especially in terms of heart damage, and ECG follow-ups should be performed. Since most deaths in reported cases occur under 6 years of age, it is recommended to apply scorpion serum to all scorpion stings under 6 years of age. It should not be forgotten that if there are other known conditions such as sugar, blood pressure, asthma-allergy in patients over 65 years of age, symptoms of poisoning may be experienced more severely."

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