Scorpion Stings in Children: How to Recognize the Signs and Act Quickly

A scorpion sting in children is an accident that requires immediate attention and can be more serious than in adults. According to Christina Gallafrio, a doctor at the Hospital Vital Brazil (HVB) at the Butantan Institute , the younger the child, the greater the risk of systemic complications.

"The first symptom is severe, immediate pain . Parents often fail to see the bite because there's usually no visible mark—at most, a slightly reddened area," explains the doctor. This can make it difficult to recognize the accident, especially when the child isn't yet able to speak or can't explain what they're feeling.

In addition to pain, other important signs may appear shortly after the bite . "Vomiting is the earliest symptom of systemic manifestations," warns Christina. The child may also experience agitation, excessive sweating, and increased heart rate and blood pressure. In more severe cases, episodes of agitation and prostration may alternate, with the child becoming limp and apathetic. Heart rate may also drop, and blood pressure may plummet.

Scorpion, spider or mosquito bite?

Parents often confuse the symptoms with those of other animal bites . But there are important differences. "Mosquito bites don't usually hurt as much; they mostly just itch and a small bump on the site. Ant bites can hurt at first, but they pass quickly and also leave a papule," says the specialist.

The main difference, according to the doctor, lies in the systemic symptoms. Only more severe bites, such as those from scorpions or armed spiders (a large, venomous species), cause vomiting, cardiac changes, and other signs throughout the body.

When do symptoms appear?

According to Christina, pain appears at the time of the sting. Generalized symptoms, which begin with vomiting, can appear within two hours. Therefore, it's recommended to closely monitor the child's behavior. "If the child was fine and suddenly starts crying inconsolably for no apparent reason, you should consider the possibility of a sting and seek medical attention as soon as possible," the doctor recommends. This is even more important at night, as scorpions are nocturnal.

What to do and how to prevent it?

If a scorpion sting is suspected, the specialist advises taking the child immediately to the nearest health facility . Informing the doctor of the suspicion can expedite appropriate care.

Prevention is also key. At home, some simple measures can prevent accidents:

• Avoid mattresses on the floor and keep beds and cribs away from the wall;
• Sheets and blankets should not touch the floor;
• Inspect the bed or crib before placing the child in it;
• Seal cracks in doors and windows, and keep drains covered;
• Avoid accumulating debris or wood in yards;
• Keep toy boxes closed;
• Take care not to attract cockroaches, scorpions' main food source — this includes not leaving food scraps exposed and keeping trash cans covered.

"These simple measures greatly reduce the risk of finding scorpions at home, especially in environments with small children, who are more vulnerable to the effects of the venom," concludes the doctor.