Scorpions

 

Structure:

A typical scorpions is elongated, has pincherlike claws (pedipalps), at the anterior end of the body; four pairs of walking legs; and a distinctly regimented abdomen that tapers to a curved, hollow, needlelike stinger.

This needlike stinger is used as a tool for defense when provoked. Both the female and male can sting. The venom is injected through the stinger from two venom glands in the abdomen. Most scorpions' venom are unable to penetrate human skin or inject enough venom to cause vatal damage. However, few species can inflict painful wounds that leads to death.

Photo: Orange scorpion on a rock

Clinical Syndromes:

The consequences of the scorpion's sting are dependent on various factors such as its species, age of scorpion, kind and amount of venom injected, victim's age, size and sensitivity. Scorpions produce two types of  venom: a neurotoxin and hemorrhagic or hexolytic toxin.

  • Hexolytic toxin: It is responsible for local reactions at the place the victim was stung which includes radiating, burning pain, swelling, discolouration.
  • Neurotoxin: It produces minimal local reaction but has quite severe systemic effects such as chills, excessive salivation, difficulty in speaking and swallowing or death.

Treatment, Prevention and Control:

  • Local cryotheraphy  may reduce swelling and retard the systemically and thus contraindicated.
  • In the absence of systemic symptoms palliative treatment (Palliation cloaks a disease) is conducted.
  • Preventive measures include the usage of chemical pesticides to reduce scopion population. removal of debris around dwellings can reduce hiding and breeding places.

 

To be able to diagnose a scorpion sting, not only is physical evidence required, but also local and systemic symptoms. Although scorpions are easy to identify, there are also other arachnids that do resemble scorpions therefore extra caution is need when identifying them.

We do not take credit for any of the information found in this website. All the information is obtained from various forms of literature.

Parasite is defined as an organism that derives its nutrients from another living organism, the host. Parasitic diseases are usually referred to those caused by protozoa, helminths and arthropods which love at the expense of their host. Successful parasites are the ones who are able to maintain their own life processes without killing their host.

Several ways to distinguish parasites infection and bacteria/viruses infection:

  1. Parasites have a complex life cycle that involves the formation of resistant cyst in the organism. (it can usually survive for long periods outside the host.)
  2. Life cycle might involve an insect vector (carrier) that is important for the transmission of disease. In most cases, it is impossible to eliminate the vector effectively.
  3. Some parasites are capable of infecting both humans and animals, thus both can act as reservoirs for the infection. This is true for most protozal infections carried by insects.
  4. Many parasites has life cycle that requires enough time to allow for the various stages to mature, either in soil or in an insect or host.