One of the hotter places of the world where there are a large and interesting variety of scorpions is the one thousand plus square kilometres scorpion habitat of South Africa.

In fact there are well over 150 species residing in this area of the world.

The Flat Rock Scorpion

The world’s longest scorpion, known as the South African Rock Scorpion or The Flat Rock Scorpion can grow as long as 21 centimetres and can weigh as much as 40g in weight. This particular species likes to live in the drier, bushveld areas where there is very little rain, usually under 600mm annual rainfall.

They like to live in the cracks in the rocks, so these are the places to avoid if you are walking around in such areas. Almost every crack, in densely populated areas will have a scorpion in it. But don’t worry, their poison is not very strong and in fact they are considered to be the world’s least poisnoous scorpion.

Usually you can tell if a scorpion has a dangerous sting or not by the size of its tail or claws.

The least venomous type usually have large claws – which can be pretty painful, but not too dangerous, if you are caught by them.

Highly poisonous scorpions have larger sting tails, or stingers. Out of all of the varieties in South Africa only about 3 types are likely to be dangerously fatal.

In fact less than a dozen people each year die as a direct result of a scorpion sting in this vast country, despite the high numbers of scorpions.

Treatment for Scorpion Bites

What should you do if you get bit by a scorpion – in case you are stung by one of the most venomous type, prompt medical attention is needed to be able to access anti-venom medication as soon as possible.

Signs to look out for would be: heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, severe pain, slurred speech and hypersenitivity

Desert Scorpions

In the more sandy areas of South Africa, such as scorpion habitat in the Namib desert sands, you are more likely to find the much shorter  yellow colored scorpion of the Opistophthalmus variety which grows to about 60mm long, has almost see through legs and is one of the burrowing scorpions which makes deep burrows in the sand. It has specially designed features, like hairs on the legs, to help it walk across the continually shifting desert sands. They can be quite difficult to spot because they are well camouflaged but if you want to locate one, an ultra violet light can help which makes them glow green.

Tree Scorpions

Some species even live in trees, but generally they are so secretive that you wouldn’t really know they are there. However one place you might not want to come across them accidentally, is in your shoes! Apparently if you leave your shoes out at night they seem to like crawling inside to hide. So always check your shoes before wearing them, by shaking them out each day, to avoid scorpion bites or stings – just in case.

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Allergic reaction to scorpion bites is listed amongst the top 10 causes of death in Dubai.

Dubai has come a long way since it was just a fishermen’s town back in the days when the Moors and the British ruled; then, in 1971 it became part of the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and this has made all the difference. Dubai is now considered to be a ‘promised’ land for the rich and the opulent; with descriptions to the rest of the world from travelers who say that the Dubai Airport has solid gold palm trees; it seems that there is just no limit to the wonders that Dubai has installed for the world.

But just like with any other particularly important and striving place on earth, with great success comes great dismay and the blooming of ailments and health hazards that are more frequent in highly developed countries. The quick rising of the Dubai financial and economical sphere has also caused that each day more and more people are falling ill to these ‘first world’ illnesses.

The reasons for this are varied, and they change constantly according to the person who is interviewed at the time. For some it is the building boom that has swept across Dubai in past years, to other the reason is simple: while the few are making millions of dollars defying nature building man-made islands and outside-the-atmosphere skyscrapers, the working force is subjected to almost inhuman residential conditions.

The diseases that are taking such a big toll in Dubai are the same that are present in any other highly-developed countries. Regardless of the origin or underlying cause for it, the most common death-inducing illnesses in Dubai are:

1.Heart Disease
2.Stroke
3.Cancer (there are different forms of cancer that are generally considered individually, but this only inflates the statistics)
4.Pulmonary Infections
5.COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

But these are not the only problems that can cause death in Dubai, especially in the bulk of the population. General and frequent causes are also:

6.HIV/AIDS
7.Tuberculosis
8.Malaria
9.Hepatitis
10.Heat Stroke

Nonetheless, it is also important to note and consider all diseases that are caused by accidents and run-ins with the local wildlife, such as scorpions, spiders and the like.

In the case of tourists and expatriates, health services are expensive to say the least and, as a result, people who are traveling to Dubai or any of the United Arab Emirates should take on a thorough physical to make sure that their health is optimal.

As a result, it is important to add these factors to the list, leaving it with the following top 10 causes of death in the city of Dubai:

1.Heart Disease
2.Circulatory problems (stroke, atherosclerosis)
3.Cancer (cervical cancer is the top leading cause of death amongst women in Dubai, followed by breast cancer)
4.Pulmonary Infections (including, though not limited to, COPD)
5.Heat stroke
6.Liver diseases (all types of hepatitis)
7.Construction related accidents
8.Allergic reactions to venoms and other poisonous substances secreted by scorpions, spiders and other animals
9.HIV/AIDS
10.Malaria

By: Rakesh Gaikwad

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

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When it comes to scorpion stings, first of all it is important to know which ones are dangerous and which ones not.

Most of the symptoms of less dangerous scorpion stings start to go away within a few days in most cases if the patient takes plenty of rest. The symptoms can disappear quite suddenly on their own without any particular treatment apart from some pain relief.

For dangerous venom stings there may often be very little you can do on the spot. However knowing what to do beforehand and being prepared may lead to saving someone’s life one day.

If the patient is already in a state of shock, and the symptoms and signs of collapse have already appeared, there is no use wasting time on local therapy. Once manifestations of scorpion poisoning have developed, or are developing, local therapy will prove to be of little value.

However, if time permits, local first aid may be given at once, provided someone is available on the spot, and he is aware of the procedure of immediate aid in such cases. All steps of first aid for scorpion-sting must be known by all, as it may be said, particularly in the context of this emergency, that the difference between life and death is so small, that only someone who knows what to do in such a difficult situation can be useful. One can never know where ‘someone’ will be required to give urgent aid to a case of scorpion-sting, and save the precious life of a patient.

Local symptoms include intense pain at the site of the sting, and the patient feels marked uneasiness in the entire limb. There may be itching and a pricking type of sensation in the area of the sting. The site of the sting may become red and swollen.

Various steps of prompt local aid or treatment to the victim are as given below:

Immediately apply a string or a piece of cloth or tourniquet on the part of the body just above the site of the sting. However, it should always be kept in mind to release the tourniquet after every half an hour, so that the blood supply below the tourniquet does not suffer. At the same time, rub pieces of ice on the site of the sting, or pour ice-cold water over the area. The entire affected portion of the limb may be chilled with iced water.

A local incision or cut is not helpful. However, a strong solution of ammonia may be applied the sting site and this may neutralize the acid poison of the scorpion. Since the pain at the sting site may be unbearable, a local anesthesia may be used immediately, if possible, otherwise, any pain-killer injection may be administered.

Any of the above urgent first-aid measures may not help to save the patient. However, these measures must be tried as far as possible, if the situation requires it.

Tetanus prophylaxis should never be forgotten, as tetanus organisms are known to enter even the smallest wound, and scorpion-sting is no exception. Thus, an injection of tetanus toxoid should be administered as soon as possible.

One must be aware of visiting quacks or unqualified persons who claim to treat scorpion-sting cases. Doing so would only delay treatment in a hospital, resulting in dangerous consequences.

Author: Krishan Bakhru

Author sites: Home Remedies and Natural Cures and Self Help Tips

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Krishan_Bakhru

How To Avoid A Scorpion Sting – Scorpion Safety

The scorpion is a creature that would just assume it never meet us humans, and most of us feel largely the same way about them. Still, we come into contact.  

Scorpion Stings

The term scorpionism is the medical term used to describe the syndrome of scorpion stings. We focus here on the thick-tailed scorpions in the family Buthidae, which are the most dangerous scorpions in South Africa 

No Threat Scorpion Stings

Of around 1500 species of scorpions only 50 are dangerous to humans, although it’s in the underdeveloped countries where they pose the biggest threats. Only around 4 people in America are killed by scorpion stings every 10 years

Wilderness Survival Tips Backpacking Camping Tips

To minimize the occurrence of scorpion stings, one should: remove loose boards, woodpiles, rocks, and debris from areas immediately surrounding homes; wear leather gloves and exercise caution when moving objects in yards or at campsites 

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