Scorpion envenomation

Every year, more than 1 million cases of scorpion envenomation are reported worldwide. Although the resultant mortality is lower than that from snake envenomation, there is substantial morbidity and, among children, a risk of death. Almost all systemic scorpion envenomation causes pain at the site of the sting. A mixed autonomic excitation (neuroexcitatory) syndrome that is unique to scorpions follows; the syndrome varies in type and severity according to the type of scorpion. In addition, a cytotoxic envenomation syndrome has been reported in areas of Iran in which Hemiscorpius lepturus is endemic.