Scorpion stings are frequent in Costa Rica. In 1999 a total of 405 cases were reported to the National Center for Envenenation Control most frequent clinical manifestations were pain (44,7%), numbness (26,7%) and local inflammation (13,8%). The upper extremities, specially the fingers, were the part of the body mostly stung. Adults were the group affected. More frequent effected symptoms where annoying but generally benign. In our country, species causing severe systemic manifestations and fatalities such as those encountered in other parts of the world have not been identified. It is important to determine the local habitat of these arachnids in order to take precautions to decrease the number of stings.

Scopion envenenation; clinical findings