There are about 1,500 species of scorpions worldwide, out of these 50 are dangerous to human. Among 86 species in India, Mesobuthus tamulus and Palamnaeus swammerdami are of medical importance. Almost all lethal scorpions except Hemiscorpius species, belong to the scorpion family called Buthidae.
Scorpions live in warm dry regions throughout India. They commonly inhabit the crevices of dwellings, underground burrows, under logs or debris, paddy husk, sugarcane fields, coconut and banana plantations. Their distribution is more in regions with abundant red soil.
They hunt during night and hide in crevices and burrow during the day to avoid light. Scorpion stings increase dramatically in summer months and lower in winter.
Scorpion stings causes a wide range of manifestation, from local skin reaction to neurological, respiratory and cardiovascular collapse. Cardiovascular effect are particularly prominent after stings by Indian red scorpion (M. tamulus).
Scorpion bites usually have a good prognosis. However, occasionally potentially fatal complications involving heart can occur leading to heart failure said Dr K K Aggarwal Padma Shri and Dr B C Roy National Awardee, President Heart Care Foundation of India and National Vice President Elect IMA.
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The CPR 10 Mantra is – “within 10 minutes of death, earlier the better; at least for the next 10minutes, longer the better; compress the centre of the chest of the dead person continuously and effectively with a speed of 10x10 i.e. 100 per minute.”
About the author: Padmashri & Dr. B.C. Roy National Awardee, Dr. KK Aggarwal is a Senior Consultant, Physician, Cardiologist at Delhi based Moolchand Medcity; President Heart Care Foundation of India; Chairman Ethical Committee Delhi Medical Council and has served as the Research and Academic Wing Heads of National Indian Medical Association.
