Scorpions in Sayulita

Are there scorpions in Sayulita? Yes. Do they come out just in the summer? No.

Those might be the most common questions we have in our office from visitors to Sayulita upon their arrival. I was stung by a scorpion in December so that mostly explains it all and for sure it’s one of the worst pains I’ve ever experienced.

Ok, so let’s start with the basics:

1. The smaller and yellow the scorpion is, the most harmful it is.
2. They tend to hide in dark and small places, look under the sheets, inside your shoes, next to the garbage can, etc.
3. The best way to avoid scorpions is to fumigate/spray the house/bedroom where you are.
4. If you get stung, don’t panic! the first sting tends to be just a warning to stay away, no venom released. Although some times you might got the ones afterwards.
5. Seek medical attention always. Specially if the person stung is a baby or elderly. Anaphylactic reaction and poisoning can occur within half an hour.

Signs and Symptoms that you might experience after the stung:

• Pain
• “Tingling” and numbness in fingers, toes and lips
• Drulling
• Swelling
• Difficulty to breath or wheezing
• Cold-like symptoms such as fever, running nose, soar throat, etc. which might last 24-48 hrs.

Treatment

1. Pain management with ice and painkillers (Advil/Tylenol)
2. Antihistamines for preventing anaphylactic reaction: “Avapena” 2 tablets orally or 1 injection IM would be my first option for adults. Benadryl syrup for kids 1 dose according to their weight/age.
3. The name of the antidote in Mexico is “ALACRAMYN” administrated either IM injection or preferably IV. You can buy it directly in the pharmacy.
4. In severe poisoning or anaphylactic reaction oxygen, IV fluids, IV hydrocortisone and adrenaline are needed.

Have you been stung by a scorpion? What’s your experience?

Let me share you some pictures of my own sting:

For more information on scorpions I recommend reading the Wikipedia Scorpion article