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joel
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5-year old zapped by a Scorpion in bed last night....
Ok, it's finally happened. After years of spending time in Baja Sur, one of my family got zapped last night by a scorpion.
We were all sound asleep and awoke to my 5 year old son screaming and crying. It took a bit for us to figure out what it was and it wasn't until we
found the scorpion that we knew for sure. Fortunately I had a blacklight relatively handy otherwise we would never have found the bugger and it would
have been an even more sleepless night.
Given that we've got most of the rest of the summer ahead of us and that's a lot of nights in bed for my 5 year old, I have a few scorpion related
questions.
Anyone know what the local, Baja scorpion is called?
Can they climb up bed posts? Anyone heard of the bed legs in water trick? What about duct tape inside out around the posts?
Anyone have any experience with treating the pain? Does ice work to reduce the potency of the venom the way it does with a bee sting?
Thanks,
Joel
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bajajazz
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How is the child? Was medical assistance necessary or sought? I think we'd all like to know what to do in this circumstance.
I have heard that certain scorpions on the mainland can be fatal to children.
The inside-out duct tape ploy sounds good but it might just provide the scorpion with a sticky surface that makes vertical climbing easier.
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DianaT
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Where in Baja are you? That should help someone who knows about these little buggers give you reliable information.
I know that where we are in Baja there are two types of scorpions, one small and one quite large. But, they are not the same as ones elsewhere---not
as bad.
I got hit by a small one and it was only a little ow---I think it didn't fully get me, I don't know.
John was nailed by one of the big ones and said a bee sting hurts worse---little swelling and itching for a week.
So, we know there are different types, so I think location is important. I do know the ones in Honduras climb quite well---many slept under nets as
they could and did fall from the ceiling.
Sorry about your little guy----hate to see little ones hurt. Ice does help, IMHO as can antihistamines----but for one so young, I would check with a
doctor.
Diane
[Edited on 6-19-2008 by jdtrotter]
[Edited on 6-19-2008 by jdtrotter]
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joel
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He seems to be fine. The area of the sting is sensitive. We had to put a bandage over it just to keep his very light shorts from rubbing -- it was too
much for him. No other medical attention. There's not much nearby to us. We're in Scorpion Bay.
I have one of those bee sting/snake bite suction kits that are in small yellow boxes at a lot of camping stores. We used that on the bite about 3 or 4
minutes afterwards and then ice followed by a cortizone anti-itch cream. Don't know if it made any difference.
We know a few people who have been stung and said no medical attention was necessary, but in the middle of the night we didn't want to wake anyone up
just to find out if/how to lessen the pain from the venom.
[Edited on 6-19-2008 by joel]
[Edited on 6-19-2008 by joel]
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rhintransit
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poor little guy! ouch!!! ice water/cold is recommended for the pain. also 'seek pain relief' try topical benzocaine/lidocaine, oral pain meds...I
don't know what is safe for children, sorry. it may be very painful for several days.
I don't know the name of the local scorpions. they vary in size, color, and potency. they tend to get into beds by falling off ceilings, especially
thatch type but can crawl up any) and walls, I don't know if they can make it up bedposts but the cans of water can't hurt. in scorpion season I tuck
mosquito netting tightly all around/under the mattress and leave it in place day and night. shake out, inspect sheets frequently. it makes for hotter
sleeping, but much safer. position beds for breeze and/or fans and away from walls. Home Defense is a good product, I use it monthly and find dead
scorpions in almost any location, kitchen, showers, bedrooms, etc. I've also used a stronger product, only available on line in the states, called
demand cs (www.doyourownpestcontrol.com) with great results. having a can of wasp/hornet spray handy...the kind that shoots 10-20 ft...is good for the
occasional scorpion on the wall out of reach. of course with kids and pets and ecological concerns you have to weigh going the chemical route.
that's a tough one.
also, if you don't have one already, get a venom extractor (suction cup thingie with plunger and various size 'heads' to fit over the bite)...mine is
made by Sawyer, stocked at Walmart and pharmacies in the states, have someone bring one down for you if you can. good for all insect bites, sting
rays, use as soon after bite as possible.
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
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ELINVESTIG8R
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Joel I will not offer any advice but just know I feel for the little guy. I hope he recovers quickly.
NOTE: I just thought of something. How about some wide double sticky tape on the bed frame legs to trap the little boogers before they can climb up.
Kind of like those sticky rat traps.
[Edited on 6-19-2008 by ELINVESTI8]
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Pescador
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We used to have a few show in the house but when we did an extermination spray, and now we only have found a couple of dead ones. They seem to show
up more when the warm weather starts again and we almost never see them in the winter.
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Bob H
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| Quote: | Originally posted by joel
There's not much nearby to us. We're in Scorpion Bay.
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Poor little guy. I'm glad to hear he's feeling better. What a story he will have to tell all his friends.
I guess the name of the place fits!
Here's a nice web site I came across of your area... NICE!
http://www.scorpionbay.net/
Bob H
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shari
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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sorry for your niños pain but I think what is worse is the aftermath worrying about getting zapped again. When we find scorpions in the bed, I just
set our tent up outside and sleep in it all summer...I find it hard to sleep imagining scorpions climbing up my legs at night...any little sand in the
bed feels like a scorpion to me. the mosquito netting sounds like a good idea to me.
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Bajagypsy
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Our oldest son got bit last time we were down with the kids, it stung his leg, and before he realized what it was he swatted it so it got his hand as
well. It was one of those tiny yellowish white ones that got him.
Ice helped, we gave him antihistimines (sp??) as soon as we could. Tylenol for pain. It was tender for a few days. Unless he had trouble breathing
right away, I would think he is ok.
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Sharksbaja
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"When we find scorpions in the bed, I just set our tent up outside and sleep in it all summer"
 How many summers would that be??
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Freebird
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These are not scorpions... this bugs are ALACRAN in spanish. They're smaller than scorpions... and for what I understand it's venom is not as deadly
as of scorpions.
Better you should take your boy to a doctor
[Edited on 6-19-2008 by Freebird]
[Edited on 6-19-2008 by Freebird]
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DENNIS
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We have 'em all over the place. Almost grabbed one this morning. I'm assuming the one you are referring to is small, one inch or a bit longer in
length, skinny, brownish gray.
I once put on my shoe and felt this hot, very slightly painful sensation on my foot. Sure enough, one was in my shoe. Like I said, the sensation
was more heat than pain and it went away in about thirty minutes. They arn't a life threat.
Now, if you see one of those big fat yellow brown nasty Sonora Desert suckers, be careful. They will ruin your day.
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DENNIS
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Freebird.....
Just for you..
http://www.spanishdict.com/translate/alacran
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DianaT
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An interesting site about SCORPIONS
They say there are 1300 different species of which about 20 that can cause you real trouble. In the US, there are about 90 species and only one that
is really nasty --- the one in Arizionia and northern Mexico.
It was also interesting to read about how they can produce two different venoms---one worse than the other, the first one being a warning. That might
explain why the hit I took was really nothing---not that the ones in our area are really nasty, but our friend who works at the hospital said the
little ones usually hurts a lot---
I imagine the ones in Scorpion Bay are pretty much the same as the ones in Bahia Asuncion.
Hope you son is MUCH better
Diane
[Edited on 6-19-2008 by jdtrotter]
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Gypsy Jan
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Very Sorry About Your Son's Distress
Before we hired our monthly fumigadora service, we had a lot of problems with ant swarms, spider hatches and other insect invasions.
But, when it came to scorpions, the house cats and garage cats took care of them all on their own - we would find the remains all over the place.
Maybe, if you adopt a Baja cat or two they will do the job for your family.
[Edited on 6-19-2008 by Gypsy Jan]
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
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marv sherrill
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Thats a real bummer for a little guy to get hit - I've had 3 stings, they do hurt but there really is no first aid but to avoid infection and watch
for an anaphylactic reation - Big ones hurt a lot more than the little ones! We sleep out side with a mosquito net that hangs over the bed - it seems
to keep out a lot of little creatures.
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joel
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Thanks for all of the thoughts and advice.
He's feeling much better. We decided to celebrate his "coming of age" with a special trip around the town markets looking for some sweets. He's sort
of proud of it now. His older brother is wondering if we will still celebrate if there is another sting and even if they get stung on purpose. It
seems the pain and the fear have subsided.
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Sharksbaja
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Relevant and important information:
http://www.emedicine.com/MED/topic2081.htm
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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bajamigo
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Mood: hubimos llegado
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| Quote: | Originally posted by joel
Can they climb up bed posts? Anyone heard of the bed legs in water trick? What about duct tape inside out around the posts?
Thanks,
Joel |
I was once stationed in Biloxi, MS where the cucarachas get to be the size of Volkswagens. The leg of every bed in the BOQ was standing in a large
coffee can filled with water. This at least prevented the buggers from climbing up the bedposts. Didn't stop them from falling off the ceiling,
however.
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