The Scorpion Consensus Expert Group (SCEG) classified the clinical manifestations that may occur following a scorpion sting.
Class |
Manifestation |
I |
local |
II |
minor and not life-threatening |
III |
severe and potentially life-threatening |
Local manifestations (Class I) include:
(1) bullous eruption
(2) burning sensation
(3) ecchymosis
(4) erythema
(5) hyperesthesia
(6) itching (pruritis)
(7) necrosis
(8) paresthesias
(9) pain
(10) purpura and/or petechiae
(11) swelling
(12) tingling
Minor manifestations (Class II) include:
(1) abdominal distension
(2) agitation, restlessness, excitement
(3) anisocoria
(4) arthralgia
(5) ataxia
(6) confusion
(7) convulsions
(8) diarrhea
(9) wheezing
(10) dry mouth
(11) dystonia
(12) encephalopathy
(13) fasciculations
(14) gastrointestinal bleeding
(15) hematuria
(16) headache
(17) hypertension
(18) hyperthermia or hypothermia (change in body temperature)
(19) lacrimation
(20) local muscular cramps
(21) miosis
(22) mydriasis
(23) myoclonus
(24) nausea
(25) nystagmus
(26) odinophagia
(27) pallor
(28) pancreatitis
(29) general paresthesias
(30) priapism
(31) prostration
(32) ptosis
(33) rhinorrhea
(34) salivation
(35) somnolescence, lethargy, drowsiness
(36) stridor
(37) sweating (diaphoresis)
(38) tachycardia
(39) thirst
(40) urinary retention
(41) vomiting
Severe manifestations (Class III) - one or more of the following:
(1) hypotension
(2) ventricular arrhythmia
(3) bradycardia
(4) cardiovascular collapse
(5) cyanosis
(6) dyspnea
(7) pulmonary edema
(8) paralysis
(9) Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) 3 to 6 in the absence of sedation
Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care