Scorpion sting

By Mayo Clinic Staff
July 09, 2026

Diagnosis

Your doctor usually needs only your history and symptoms to make a diagnosis. If you have serious symptoms, you may have blood or imaging tests to check for the effects of the venom on your liver, heart, lungs and other organs.

Treatment

Most scorpion stings don't need medical treatment. But if symptoms are serious, you may need to receive care in a hospital. You may be given medicines through a vein to treat pain.

Scorpion antivenom may be given if a child or adult has severe symptoms after a scorpion sting.

Self-care

If a scorpion stings your child, first contact your local poison control center. To reach this center, call Poison Help at 800-222-1222.

Based on Poison Help's advice, consider the following:

  • Clean the wound with mild soap and water.
  • Apply a cool compress to the affected area. This may ease the pain.
  • If stung on an arm or leg, rest the affected limb in a supportive position.
  • If you're having a hard time swallowing, limit yourself to sips of water. If this symptom does not resolve or gets worse over the next hour, seek medical attention.
  • Don't take or give any medicines to make you sleep or to feel calm or less anxious.
  • Take a pain reliever available without a prescription as needed. You might try ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, Children's Motrin, others) to ease pain.

If you're healthy and you're not having any serious symptoms, you may not need to be treated by a doctor. Rather, you also can follow the steps above.

Check vaccination records to be sure tetanus vaccinations are up to date for you and your child.

These tips can help keep children safe until they see a doctor.

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