The ScorpiologistNon-commercial reference

Home / Stings / First aid

Sting first aid: what to do right now

General home care for a typical striped bark scorpion sting

Last reviewed 2026-07-20 Sources 4 Read 4 min
A person holding a blue gel cold pack against a red, swollen spot on the back of the hand.
A cool compress on a sting site. Cleaning, cooling, and an over-the-counter pain reliever handle most stings.
The short version

For a typical sting: wash it, put a cool compress on it, take an over-the-counter pain reliever if appropriate, and keep an eye on it for a few hours. In the US you can call Poison Control any time at 1-800-222-1222 for free, confidential guidance.1

The steps

  1. Clean the area. Wash the sting with soap and water.1
  2. Cool it. Apply a cool compress or ice wrapped in a cloth. A common approach is 10 minutes on, then 10 minutes off, repeated.1
  3. Ease the pain. An over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with mild pain.23
  4. Keep it still and loosen tight items. Keep the affected area still, and remove tight jewelry or clothing near the sting in case of swelling.1
  5. Check your tetanus status. Routine sting care includes making sure tetanus vaccination is up to date.2
  6. Watch for a few hours. Serious symptoms, when they happen at all, tend to appear within a few hours, so keep an eye on the person during that window.2

What not to do

Do not automatically treat a scorpion sting as an allergic reaction. University of Arizona clinicians specifically caution against reflexively taking diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for the ordinary nerve-related symptoms of a sting, because antihistamines and epinephrine are meant for a true allergic reaction, not for the venom’s normal effects.4 If there are real signs of an allergic reaction, that is different, and it is covered on the allergic-reaction page.

When you are unsure about a medication, a symptom, or a child, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. It is free, staffed by experts, and available around the clock.1

Sources

  1. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, US National Library of Medicine. “Scorpions” (article 002850). medlineplus.gov. Accessed 2026-07-20.Backs: clean with soap and water, apply ice 10 minutes on and off, keep the area still and loosen tight clothing or jewelry, call Poison Control 1-800-222-1222.
  2. Shamoon Z, Rerolle S, Nelson JA, et al. “Scorpion Toxicity.” StatPearls, NIH/NCBI Bookshelf. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Accessed 2026-07-20.Backs: supportive care includes cleaning the wound, ibuprofen, and tetanus prophylaxis, with observation for symptom onset (about four hours).
  3. University of Arizona Health Sciences. “What You Need to Know About Scorpion Stings.” healthsciences.arizona.edu. Accessed 2026-07-20.Backs: acetaminophen or ibuprofen and ice for a mild sting; do not treat a sting as an allergic reaction or reflexively take diphenhydramine.
  4. University of Arizona Health Sciences. “What You Need to Know About Scorpion Stings.” healthsciences.arizona.edu. Accessed 2026-07-20.Backs: antihistamines and epinephrine are for a true allergic reaction, not the venom’s ordinary nerve symptoms.
Medical disclaimer: This page is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For a severe or worsening reaction, or any sting in a young child, contact Poison Control (1-800-222-1222 in the US) or emergency services. For pets, contact a veterinarian.  ·  Last reviewed 2026-07-20.

The Scorpiologist is an independent, non-commercial reference. No products, no lead-gen, no fear-mongering.  ·  Every claim is cited on the page.  ·  Last reviewed 2026-07-20.