Of the 40 or so species of scorpions in the United States only one is venomous enough to be a danger to humans. Scorpions belong to a family of animals known as arthropods and they are an extremely old species, tracing their roots back as far as 400 million years. Scorpions possess eight legs and a pair of pincher claws in the front but it is the stinger in the tail that can deliver a dose of venom when the scorpion feels threatened.
Geography
Most of the scorpions in the United States are found in the southwestern deserts. Of these, just one type--the bark scorpion--has venom that humans should fear. The bark scorpion ranges over most of Arizona and down into Mexico. They have also been found in small numbers in the very southwestern tip of California, with some being documented as residing in the south of Utah and parts of New Mexico, Texas and Nevada.
Effects
If a person has the misfortune of being stung by a bark scorpion he will experience terrific pain. This site will swell quickly and become numb in time. The toxins that the bark scorpion is capable of delivering in its sting can result in foaming of the mouth and difficulty breathing. Muscles can twitch and the person may go into convulsions. Infants, kids and older people are much more at risk of severe problems from this sting but even then death is very rare. There have been no deaths due to scorpion stings in the United States since the mid-1980s. Stings by less venomous types of scorpions will often have no symptoms except tenderness and a bit of swelling where the person was stung.
Considerations
Scorpion stings occur more than 5,000 times in just the major cities of Arizona, as more people move into the regions where scorpions live. Scorpions are at their most active during the spring and summer months and the majority of species are nocturnal, moving about in the evening hours. The bark scorpion tends to favor such places as under logs, rocks and tree bark-- the inspiration for its name. They can be seen when a person is out hiking or camping but they are also found in stacks of firewood and other hiding places.
Identification
If an individual encounters a scorpion and winds up being stung, he should clean the area thoroughly. An ice pack can then be applied for a short time to attempt to limit the amount of swelling. If a person lives in a region of the country where bark scorpions are frequently found, he should become familiar with what they look like. If someone is stung by a bark scorpion or what they think may be one, he should immediately seek medical help. If the scorpion can be safely captured and brought along, it can then be identified and the appropriate treatment given.
Prevention/Solution
Fortunately scorpions are shy and want to avoid people if they can. Unfortunately they seem to make a nuisance of themselves by using clothing and shoes as hiding places. People that live where scorpions are found need to always check their shoes before putting them on, as well as their clothing. Long sleeves and pants are prudent when out camping or hiking. Any trash, loose boards, firewood and anything else a scorpion can use for cover should be removed from outside the house. Scorpions will come into a home through small cracks so caulking any that could allow a scorpion access is a good idea.
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar