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Scorpion stings: children, pets, and older adults

Why the vulnerable warrant a lower threshold to seek help

For young children: Watch closely Last reviewed 2026-07-20 Sources 4 Read 4 min
The short version

Young children can develop serious symptoms much faster than adults, so a sting in a small child should prompt a prompt call to Poison Control (1-800-222-1222).1 For a stung pet, call your veterinarian.4

Children and older adults

Adults are stung more often, but children tend to have more severe reactions when they are stung.1 The timing is the real reason for caution: in children, serious symptoms can begin on average within about 14 minutes, far faster than in adults.1 National poison-center data reflect this, children under 10 made up about 15 percent of scorpion exposures but two-thirds of the major-effect cases.2 University of Arizona lists young children and older adults as the most vulnerable, while still noting that the large majority of stings cause only minor effects.3

Practical rule: for a sting in an infant or young child, call Poison Control promptly rather than waiting to see how it develops.1

Dogs and cats

Cats and dogs get stung out of curiosity, and smaller pets are at greater risk from the venom.4 Common signs include sudden yelping or pain, pawing at the face or the sting site, limping or lameness, and a numb or tingling sensation that usually resolves within a few hours; a mild, self-resolving cough is sometimes seen.4 As with people, pets can also have an allergic reaction, ranging from local swelling and hives to vomiting, diarrhea, or breathing trouble in severe cases.4

If your pet is stung, contact a veterinarian, watch for a worsening or allergic reaction, and do not give human or over-the-counter medications without veterinary advice.4

Sources

  1. Shamoon Z, Rerolle S, Nelson JA, et al. “Scorpion Toxicity.” StatPearls, NIH/NCBI Bookshelf. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Accessed 2026-07-20.Backs: children have more severe reactions and faster onset of serious symptoms, averaging about 14 minutes.
  2. Kang AM, Brooks DE. “Nationwide Scorpion Exposures Reported to US Poison Control Centers, 2005 to 2015.” NIH/PMC (PMC5440315). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Accessed 2026-07-20.Backs: children under 10 were about 15 percent of exposures but two-thirds of major-effect cases.
  3. University of Arizona Health Sciences. “What You Need to Know About Scorpion Stings.” healthsciences.arizona.edu. Accessed 2026-07-20.Backs: young children and older adults are the most vulnerable, though most stings cause only minor effects.
  4. Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine, Pet Talk. “Unearthing the Truth About Scorpions.” vetmed.tamu.edu. Accessed 2026-07-20.Backs: pet sting signs (limping, pawing, numbness resolving in hours, possible cough), allergic reaction spectrum, contact a veterinarian, no human medications without vet advice.
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.