[M.D. Holloway]

I got this call today from one of the admins - she is on vacation in AZ.

Me:"Hi this is Mike"

Les:"Mike? This is Les"

Me:"Whats up Les?"

Les: "I'm on vacation in Arizona with my daughter and I just got bite by a scorpion.

Me: “OK…ahh…well have you called poison control or a Rapid Med Center?”

Les: “No, I figured I call you first because you seem to know a bunch of stuff.”

Me: “Well, thanks Les but Scorpions are not my specialty, now if it was a spider, that’s a different story. Seriously though, call someone.”

Les: “OK, dang it is really tingling my foot.”

Me: “Les, let me ask you a few quick questions - when did it sting you, how big was it and what color was it?”

Les: “A few minutes ago. I guess it was about 2 maybe 3 inches long. It’s really light colored, a really light tan with stripes”

Me: “Sounds like a Bark Scorpion to me.”

Les: “Is that bad?”

Me: “Well, I think there are several types but the lighter ones are more venomous. Not to worry unless you’re a little kid or an old person the chances of dying are pretty slim but you should call someone just to be on the safe side.”

Les: “OK, well that makes me feel better.”

Me: “Oh ya, if you can, save the little bugger in a small jar filled with rubbing alcohol for me?”


I guess I should take it as a compliment but from a person who would call me before calling someone official? Well, I guess I should take it when I can get it....