Blessings,,
I was moving things around in my garage, and found an infestation of scorpions. My question: what to use on humans and small animals (dogs, cats) in case of a scorpion sting?

We have not yet been stung, but I need to know just in case...

Thanks,
Dr. Deborah

Hello Deborah,

This is easier asked than answered !

All cases of serious, or potentially serious, scorpion envenoming should receive urgent medical attention, esp. in the case of small children. If the sting occured on a limb the application of tight bandages and immobilization may be valuable.

Orthodox/allopathic treatment may include the administration of specific scorpion antivenins, in addition to various supportive measures.

Homoepathic treatment may be of value and can be combined with orthodox/allopathic therapy, according to circumstances.

But now we`ve come to a main problem which is that we usually don`t know which species of scorpion has stung us !

Fortunately for you not all of the most dangerous scorpions live in your country (Israel), but extreme vigilance is still also required in your country (Israel).

to be continued

Wim

__________________
Homeopath for people and animals.
(Sorry, Wim no longer works here.)

Continuation for Deborah :

Worldwide there are about 600-650 species of scorpion and only a few of them are dangerous. As most people know the scorpion stings from the tip of its recurved tail, which is always brought forward. The so-called `whip scorpions` have no sting, but defend themselves with an irritant, but relatively harmless, vinegar-like fluid.

Adult scorpions vary in length from about 2cm to 25 cm (1-10 inches approx.) Nocturnal in habit, they rest in the day under stones, rocks, logs, pieces of bark etc., or even in shoes or clothing (!)

Most scorpion stings result in no more than a sharp burning sensation at the point of entry, accompanied by pronounced swelling.

Some species, however, inject largely neurotoxic venoms (i.e. nervous system poisons) which may even result in death, especially in small children.

Typically, in these more serious cases, there`s pain at the site of envenoming, but little swelling or redness. More important general symptoms then develop, including sweating, excessive salivation, tightness of the throat, abdominal cramps and convulsions. Death is rare, but may occur through respiratory paralysis or other serious consequences.

to be continued

Wim

__________________
Homeopath for people and animals.
(Sorry, Wim no longer works here.)

Continuation for Deborah :

The 5 most dangerous scorpion genera are : Tityus ( South America), Leiurus ( Middle East and Africa), Buthus (Asia), Centruroides (Southern USA and Central America), Androctonus (Africa).

Extreme vigilance is required in : Israel (!), Mexico (esp. Durango), North Africa, Brazil, Egypt, Trinidad, India, Manchuria and the Malayan region.

Homeopathic treatment may be very helpful alongside conventional treatment.

For minor scorpion stings with local reactions only, we should homeopathically treat as for hymenopterous stings.

For major scorpion stings with general reactions or the potential for such, we should treat as for snake bites but substitute a remedy made from the appropriate species of scorpion, e.g. Centruroides suffusus 30c (or 30k) or Toxica serpentium 30c (or 30k, which is actually a combination remedy for snake bites).

Unfortunately these specific remedies are usually very difficult to obtain !

to be continued

Wim

__________________
Homeopath for people and animals.
(Sorry, Wim no longer works here.)

Continuation for Deborah :

As for the treatment of hymenopterous stings (incl. scorpion stings) we know that in general these stings produce a painful lump on the skin, which may progress/develop to/into the formation of a watery blister and treatment is indicated in order to improve the comfort of the patient, to reduce the possibility of general (more serious) reaction and to minimize the risk of secondary infection.

Apart from allopathic and homeopathic treatment several botanic agents can also be employed, but for now I`ll stick to homeopathy.

Internal homeopathic treatment for stings is considered valuable and may be usefully combined with the appropriate external remedy/tincture.

One example of a useful tincture for external applications is : Echinacea angustifolia which is a general application for stings and bites.

to be continued

Wim

__________________
Homeopath for people and animals.
(Sorry, Wim no longer works here.)

Continuation for Deborah :

An excellent general internal remedy for stings (incl. scorpion stings) is :

Ledum palustre 30c (or 30k) which should be given (a.s.a.p. after the sting) every 15 minutes till amelioration.

Vespa crabro 30c (or 30k) for wasp stings every 15 minutes till amel.

Apis mellifica 30c (or 30k) for bee stings every 15 minutes till amel.

If the patient, or rather the victim, is psychologically shocked by the scorpion or other insect sting, give either of the following remedies between doses of the principal remedy (that is to say, in alternation) :

Aconite/Aconitum 30c (or 30k) or Bach Rescue Remedy.

In cases of physical shock (collapse), place the patient horizontally on his/her side, maintain the airway, and give either of the following every 10 minutes until medical assistance is available :

Carbo vegetabilis 30c (or 30k) or Bach Rescue Remedy. Use crushed or liquid preparations)

Wim/William

__________________
Homeopath for people and animals.
(Sorry, Wim no longer works here.)

Addition :

I mentioned in one of the posts above the combination (snake bite) remedy Toxicaserpentium 30c. This is a mixture composed of individually homeopathically prepared snake venoms appropriate to several particular areas all over the world.

There are about 3.000 species of snakes in the world and only approx. 10% of them are venomous.

Suppose you are a homeopath in the USA or Canada, then you would have to know that in these countries 7 venomous snakes can be found, viz. Agkistrodon piscivorus, Crotalus scutulatus, Heloderma suspectum, Crotolus adamanteus, Crotalus viridis, Crotalus atrox and Micrurus fulvius.

Unfortunately snakes don`t identify or introduce themselves after they`ve bitten somebody and that`s why you shouldn`t give a single remedy but a combination remedy made from all the 7 individual poisons of the 7 venomous snakes I mentioned above, which live in that part of the world (USA/Canada) and hence you would need Toxicaserpentium (USA/Canada) 30c.

So for each part of the world you would need a different combination of the Toxicaserpentium 30c, apart from the allopathic treatment. There are 9 different combinations altogether.

This is one of the few situations where prescribing a single remedy would be very irresponsible prescribing !

Wim

__________________
Homeopath for people and animals.
(Sorry, Wim no longer works here.)

Blessings, William,
This is a very complete and concise answer. I do have the echinacea tincture that I made fresh, always in medical kits, everywhere, to include our bomb shelter. I also have the "Top 100 Remedies Kit" from Washington Homeopathic Products, that contains the Apis.

I can see I need more goodies for my emergency kit.

Ohhh! Now I can go shoppppinnnnggggg!

Thanks,
Dr. Deborah

You`re welcome Deborah....and enjoy your homeopathic shopping !

Wim

__________________
Homeopath for people and animals.
(Sorry, Wim no longer works here.)

Thanks, Wim -- very interesting. Rosemary


----- Original Message -----
From: <homeolist (AT) otherhealth (DOT) com>
To: <homeopathy (AT) homeolist (DOT) com>
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2007 3:31 AM
Subject: [H] Re: Scorpion Stings: What To Use?


>
> Hello Deborah,
>
> This is easier asked than answered !
>
> All cases of serious, or potentially serious, scorpion envenoming
> should receive urgent medical attention, esp. in the case of small
> children. If the sting occured on a limb the application of tight
> bandages and immobilization may be valuable.
>
> Orthodox/allopathic treatment may include the administration of
> specific scorpion antivenins, in addition to various supportive
> measures.
>
> Homoepathic treatment may be of value and can be combined with
> orthodox/allopathic therapy, according to circumstances.
>
> But now we`ve come to a main problem which is that we usually don`t
> know which species of scorpion has stung us !
>
> Fortunately for you the most dangerous scorpions don`t live in your
> country (Israel).
>
> to be continued
>
> Wim
>
>
> --
> Wim
>
> Qualified homeopath for people and animals/ Moderator.
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Wim's Profile: http://www.otherhealth.com/members/wim.html
> View this thread: Scorpion Stings: What To Use?
>
>