Quick Answer
Do not judge a sting by a species guess or a guaranteed recovery time. Keep away from the animal; symptoms and individual medical circumstances determine the next step. Seek poison-service advice for a concerning sting and emergency help for breathing, swallowing or other severe symptoms.
Texas has over 20 species of scorpions, and every single one can sting. But here is what most people do not realize: only one species in the entire state is medically significant. The other 19+ species produce venom comparable to a wasp sting — painful, but not dangerous to healthy adults. The problem is that most people cannot tell the difference, so every sting causes panic. This guide will fix that.
Texas Scorpion Species: A Quick Field Guide
Texas A&M describes the striped bark scorpion, Centruroides vittatus, as the common Texas species. The old table incorrectly treated Arizona bark and giant hairy scorpions as confirmed local Texas entries without adequate range evidence. An exact local identification requires more than yellow color or UV fluorescence; do not use a statewide table to decide a sting is harmless.
What a Scorpion Sting Feels Like (by Species)
Pain, tingling and reaction severity do not identify the species. Local symptoms can be painful; body-wide symptoms or allergic reactions need medical assessment. The former fixed pain timetable and no-systemic-symptoms guarantee have been removed.
Sting Treatment: What to Do
Move away from the scorpion and wash the sting site. U.S. Poison Control advises individualized guidance; many stings can be managed at home, but prolonged pain or body-wide symptoms may require emergency treatment. Trouble breathing or swallowing, collapse or serious allergic symptoms need emergency help. Seek prompt advice for a young child or medically vulnerable person; this page cannot give an all-clear based on species, age cutoff or a fixed observation period.
Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound or attempt to suck venom. Do not delay care to catch or identify the scorpion. Follow a clinician or poison service regarding medication and monitoring.
Limited Factual Review and Sources
Limited factual review: October 14, 2026 (U.S. Eastern date). Removed unsupported local species/range or encounter claims where identified, fixed-time medical reassurance and universal symptom/age/drug rules; no individual diagnosis. Other historical measurements, prices and regional details were not comprehensively rechecked. No agency has reviewed or endorsed this page.