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Family: Scorpionidae
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Genus: Heterometrus
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Species: petersii
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Subspecies: petersii , luzonensis , mindanaensis
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Region
Southeast Asia
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Countries
Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Vietnam
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Taxonomy and Biology
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Adult Length ( mm ): 90 mm
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Description
Carapace, tergites, metasoma, pedipalps and legs are almost uniform black. Chela manus, chelicerae and telson are reddish brown.
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Venom
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General: Venom Neurotoxins
Unknown
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General: Venom Myotoxins
Unknown
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General: Venom Procoagulants
Unknown
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General: Venom Anticoagulants
Unknown
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General: Venom Haemorrhagins
Unknown
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General: Venom Nephrotoxins
Unknown
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General: Venom Cardiotoxins
Unknown
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General: Venom Necrotoxins
Unknown
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General: Venom Other
Unknown
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Clinical Effects
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General: Dangerousness
Mild envenoming only, not likely to prove lethal
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General: Rate of Envenoming: Unknown
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General: Untreated Lethality Rate: Unlikely to prove lethal
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General: Local Effects
Insufficient clinical reports to know. Most likely will cause local pain of short duration, without sequelae.
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General: Local Necrosis
Insufficient clinical reports to know, but unlikely to occur
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General: General Systemic Effects
Insufficient clinical reports to know, but unlikely to occur
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General: Myotoxicity
Insufficient clinical reports to know, but unlikely to occur
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General: Renal Damage
Insufficient clinical reports to know, but unlikely to occur
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General: Cardiotoxicity
Insufficient clinical reports to know, but unlikely to occur
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General: Other
Insufficient clinical reports to know, but unlikely to occur
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First Aid
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Description: First aid for scorpion stings (in areas where potentially dangerous species may be found)
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Details
1. After ensuring the patient and onlookers are not at risk of further scorpion stings, the victim should be reassured and persuaded to lie down and remain still. Some may be terrified, fearing sudden death and, in this mood, they may behave irrationally or even hysterically, a situation made worse by the intense pain often suffered. The basis for reassurance is the fact that most scorpion stings prove non-lethal and the effectiveness of modern medical treatment. 2. The sting wound should not be tampered with in any way. Wiping it once with a damp cloth to remove surface venom is unlikely to do much harm (or good) but the wound must not be massaged. 3. Though unproven, there is anecdotal evidence suggesting the application of a cold pack to the sting area may reduce pain. At least in Mexico, there is also anecdotal evidence suggesting local suction may be beneficial. 3. All rings or other jewellery on the bitten limb, especially on fingers, should be removed, as they may act as tourniquets if swelling develops. 4. The bitten limb should be immobilised as effectively as possible using an extemporised splint or sling; if available, crepe bandaging of the splinted limb is an effective form of immobilisation. 5. If there is any impairment of vital functions, such as problems with respiration, airway, circulation, heart function, these must be supported as a priority. In particular, for bites causing flaccid paralysis, including respiratory paralysis, both airway and respiration may be impaired, requiring urgent and prolonged treatment, which may include the mouth to mask (mouth to mouth) technique of expired air transfer. Seek urgent medical attention. 6. Do not use Tourniquets, cut, suck or scarify the wound or apply chemicals or electric shock. 7. Avoid peroral intake, absolutely no alcohol. No sedatives outside hospital. If there will be considerable delay before reaching medical aid, measured in several hours to days, then give clear fluids by mouth to prevent dehydration. 8. If the offending scorpion has been killed it should be brought with the patient for identification. 9. The scorpion sting victim should be transported as quickly and as passively as possible to the nearest place where they can be seen by a medically-trained person (health station, dispensary, clinic or hospital). The bitten limb must not be exercised as muscular contraction will promote systemic absorption of venom. If no motor vehicle or boat is available, the patient can be carried on a stretcher or hurdle, on the pillion or crossbar of a bicycle or on someone's back. 10. Most traditional, and many of the more recently fashionable, first aid measures are useless and potentially dangerous. These include local cauterization, incision, excision, amputation, injection or instillation of compounds such as potassium permanganate, phenol (carbolic soap) and trypsin, application of electric shocks or ice (cryotherapy), use of traditional herbal, folk and other remedies including the ingestion of emetic plant products and parts of the snake, multiple incisions, tattooing and so on. The role of suction by mouth, vacuum pump or syringe, combined incision and suction ("venom-ex" apparatus) is uncertain.
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Treatment
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Treatment Summary
Stings by these scorpions are likely to cause only short lived local effects, such as pain, without systemic effects. Treatment is therefore reassurance and symptomatic, with analgesia only for severe and persistent pain, as short lived pain will likely resolve before analgesics can take effect. Update tetanus immune status. Be more cautious in young children, observing for several hours post-sting. No antivenom is available, or is required.
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Key Diagnostic Features
Not well defined. Most likely limited to local pain ± local swelling, without significant systemic effects. See detailed clinical summary for more specific detail, if known.
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General Approach to Management
Most cases will be minor & not require admission.
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Antivenom Therapy
No antivenom available
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