OUT OF 86 SPECIES, ONLY 2 ARE POISONOUS

SCORPION VENOM is essentially acidic, contains neurotoxin, cardiotoxin, coagulases, proteases,phospholipase A, amylase and serotonin (causes pain).

Action of venom – causes complex effects on sodium channels – opens them – preventing inactivation- spontaneous depolarization- prolonged action potential – excessive firing of neurons.

CLINICAL FEATURES:- The venom simulates sustained release of acetylcholine and cetacholaminesresulting in initial cholinergic and late adrenergic symptoms.

CLINICAL SETTING:- Usually stung at night while sleeping; unknown sting with excruciating localpain; stamped upon accidentally.

IMMEDIATE SYMPTOMS:-

 Local effects – intense pain (or itching, paraesthesiae, hyperesthesiae, numbness) is the most common symptom; slight local edema and tender local lymphadenopathy. Frank gangrene cansupervene.

General effects – More in children because the toxin per Kg body weight is more in them. Malaise, restlessness, lacrimation, rhinorrhoea, salivation, perspiration, nausea, vomiting, more so in youngerchildren called ‘AUTONOMIC STORM’

Early:- vomiting, profuse sweating, piloerection, alternating tachy and bradycardia, abdominal colic,diarrhoea, loss of sphincter control, priapism.

Late:- severe/ life threatening

·       CVS:- Cardiogenic Shock

·       Respiratory:- Acute pulmonary edema

·       CNS:- Encephalopathy