Overview
Scorpion envenomation happens when a scorpion stings a person and injects venom into the body. This is not a genetic disease but rather a medical emergency caused by contact with a venomous scorpion. Scorpion stings are common in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, and while most stings cause only mild pain and swelling, some species — particularly the bark scorpion in North America, the Indian red scorpion, and several species found in North Africa and the Middle East — can cause severe and life-threatening reactions. The venom affects the nervous system by disrupting normal nerve signaling. This can lead to intense pain at the sting site, numbness, tingling, muscle twitching, excessive sweating, drooling, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, heart failure or pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs). Children and elderly individuals are at the highest risk for severe complications. Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms. Mild cases may only need pain management and observation. Severe cases require emergency medical care, which may include antivenom (also called antivenin), medications to control blood pressure and heart rate, sedatives for muscle spasms, and breathing support. In the United States, Anascorp (centruroides immune F(ab')2) is an FDA-approved antivenom for bark scorpion stings. Early treatment with antivenom significantly improves outcomes and can be life-saving in severe envenomation.
Key symptoms:
Intense pain at the sting siteNumbness or tingling around the stingSwelling and redness at the sting siteMuscle twitching or jerkingExcessive sweatingDrooling or excessive salivaNausea and vomitingRapid or irregular heartbeatHigh blood pressureDifficulty breathingRestlessness and agitationBlurred vision or abnormal eye movementsAbdominal pain and crampingDifficulty swallowingSeizures in severe cases
Clinical phenotype terms (50)— hover any for plain English
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
3 eventsAssiut University — NA
Assiut University
Anascorp: FDA approved
Treatment of clinical signs of scorpion envenomation
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
2 availableRanitidine
prevents heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach brought on by eating or drinking certain foods and beverages
Anascorp
Treatment of clinical signs of scorpion envenomation
Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Scorpion envenomation at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Scorpion envenomation.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How severe is this scorpion sting, and does it require antivenom treatment?,What species of scorpion likely caused this sting, and how dangerous is it?,What warning signs should I watch for after going home?,How long should I expect symptoms to last?,Are there any long-term effects I should be concerned about?,What can I do to prevent scorpion stings in the future?,Should I carry any emergency medications if I live in a scorpion-prone area?
Common questions about Scorpion envenomation
What is Scorpion envenomation?
Scorpion envenomation happens when a scorpion stings a person and injects venom into the body. This is not a genetic disease but rather a medical emergency caused by contact with a venomous scorpion. Scorpion stings are common in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, and while most stings cause only mild pain and swelling, some species — particularly the bark scorpion in North America, the Indian red scorpion, and several species found in North Africa and the Middle East — can cause severe and life-threatening reactions. The venom affects the nervous system by disrupting normal n
Which specialists treat Scorpion envenomation?
19 specialists and care centers treating Scorpion envenomation are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Scorpion envenomation?
2 patient support programs are currently tracked on UniteRare for Scorpion envenomation. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.