Diseases and Conditions

Scorpion sting

Overview

Scorpion stings are painful but rarely life-threatening. Young children and older adults are most at risk of serious complications.

In the United States, the bark scorpion, found mainly in the desert Southwest, is the only scorpion species with venom potent enough to cause severe symptoms. Worldwide, only about 30 of the estimated 1,500 species of scorpions produce venom toxic enough to be fatal. But with more than a million scorpion stings taking place each year, deaths from these stings are a significant public health problem in areas where access to medical care is limited.

Healthy adults usually don't need treatment for scorpion stings. But a scorpion sting can have serious effects in young children.