General Facts About Scorpion-
- They are Arthropods.
- Class - Arachnida.
- 2000 different species India harbours , 99 of which 2 are lethal to humans.
Members of Buthidae Family-
1) Mesobuthus tammulus (common red scorpion)
2) Palamnius swammerdami
3) Centruroides
4) Buthus
5) Parabuthus
6) Mesobuthus
7) Buthotus
8) Androctonus.
Morphology-
- Range in size from 1 to 20 cm.
- 4 pairs of legs.
- 1pair of claws.
- Long slender body with a five segmented tail.
- The tail ends in a bulb like poison gland or stinger-Telson.
Habitat-
- Predominatly dry habitat.
- Nocturnal.
Types Of Scorpion-
a) Poisonous
- Cephalothorax.
- Triangular and thin Body.
- Thick Tail.
- Pincers strong.
b) Non-Poisonous
- Pentagonal and Thick.
STING AND VENOM
1. HOW THEY STING?
2. VENOM
Composition of venom-
a) Enzymes
- Phospholipase.
- Hyaluronidase.
- Acetylcholine estarase.
b) Non-Enzymes-
- Cardiotoxins.
- Neurotoxins.
STING LEADS TO -
1) General Manifestations-
- Local irritant effect.
- Massive release of catecholamines.
- Suppression of insulin secretion.
- Elevation of plasma angiotensin- 2 levels.
2) Local Manifestations-
- Pain ,Pruritis.
- Erythema.
- Hyperasthesia, Parasthesia.
- Macule, papule, necrosis,ulceration.
3) Central nervous system Manifestations-
- Roving eye movements.
- Dysphagia.
- Tinnitus and slurred speech.
- Tongue fasciculations.
4) Cardiovascular Manifestations-
- Tachycardia,hypertension.
- Arrythmias, conduction blocks.
- Myocardial ischemia,heart failure,shock.
- Cardiomyopathy & toxic myocarditis.
- Transient pansystolic murmur.
5) Gastrointestinal Manifestations-
- Nausea.
- Vomiting , Diarrhea.
- Gastric ulcers.
- Hematemesis.
- Pancreatitis.
6) Genitourinary Manifestations-
- Renal failuere
First-Aid Measures-
-Calm the patient.
- Immobilize the bitten part.
- Apply ice bag.
TRANSFER YOUR CHILD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO THE PEDIATRICIAN.