Vinegaroon exposures reported to a Poison center

Area of Science:

• Arachnology
• Toxicology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Vinegaroons (Mastigoproctus giganteus), or whip scorpions, are arachnids native to the southwestern US and Mexico.
• They possess pygidial gland secretions rich in acetic acid, used defensively against predators.
• No prior human injury reports related to vinegaroon exposure exist.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize human exposures to vinegaroons.
• To identify clinical effects resulting from vinegaroon encounters.
• To analyze data from a regional poison center serving an area indigenous to vinegaroons.

Main Methods:

• A poison center database was queried for vinegaroon exposure cases from 1998 to 2022.
• Data collected included patient demographics, exposure route, symptom type and duration, and affected body parts.
• Fifty cases of human exposure to vinegaroons were identified and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Fifty exposures were reported, with females (32 cases) predominating over males (17 cases).
• Most exposures involved skin contact with secretions (13 cases) or bites (36 cases), with symptoms including pain, erythema, and swelling.
• Ocular exposures (3 cases) resulted in pain and blurred vision, with prolonged effects exceeding 5 days in one instance.

Conclusions:

• Vinegaroon exposures predominantly affect females and typically result in symptoms like pain, erythema, numbness, itching, and swelling, resolving within two days.
• Ocular exposures present a higher risk, associated with more severe symptoms and extended duration of effects compared to other exposure routes.