Scorpion Stings – a Short Review

Scorpions belong to class arachnide and are quite commonly encountered in India. The scorpions venom containing short neurotoxin polypeptides consists of low molecular weight proteins, Which have mechanisms of lethal and paralytic effect. In many tropical and subtropical countries, venoms from medically important scorpion species are still used in the production of anti-venoms to the treatment of envenomation. The objective of this review is to update knowledge on the management of scorpion stings. Literature search was started in January 2013 in the following electronic and non electronicdatabases : Medline, Ebsco, Pubmed, Dove Press, Vels school of pharmaceutical library and the Cochrane library. We performed a search over a period of 16 months only on scorpion stings were included, key search terms were as follows ; Indian, Australian, Chinese scorpion species and etc. The result of scorpion stings management as neutralizes the circulating venom with anti-venom and as we know that, no action in reversing the effects of already raised catecholamine and tissuebound venom. Cold extremities occur due to alpha receptor stimulation as a result of vasoconstriction, and delay the venom absorption in circulation from site of sting. Hence necessity need for health personnel training follows, regarding optimum treatment protocols. It should be extended to all countries where the incidence of scorpion stings is high.