 Scorpion (Photo V. Draffin) |
Scorpions are
distributed throughout Australia, tending to be larger in the warmer northern
areas. On a world scale, Australian scorpions are relatively innocuous,
with very few deaths reliably documented as related to scorpion stings.
Local pain and swelling are the major clinical problems following Australian
scorpion stings. First aid consists of the application of iced water
and analgesia if required. The scorpions of central and south America and
Africa are much more dangerous, with thousands of fatalities and serious
illnesses occurring every year in these areas in relation to scorpion
envenomation.