I have heard that scorpions are a real problem on the east coast of Mexico. Is this true?

Stop listing to such nonsense. People who spread crap like that have way to much time om their hands. In 25 years of Mexican travel I have never had a encounter with scorpion or a venomous snake nor have I been attacked by any Jaguars! LOL. Seriously like any where just use common sense like not sticking your hand where it can not be seen Etc. REALLY NOT A PROBLEM.
PS I do however every Spring have infestation of Black Widow spiders into my home in The San Fransisco Bay area that requires a exterminator.

We have had 6 or 8 in the new house since Aug '05, but none in the last 5 months (the last stung - less than a bee sting - a visitor as he reached into the closet to get a shirt from a hanger).
The local species are not terribly toxic, but do pose a potential problem to infants, toddlers, those who are allergic and small pets.
M (SMdA, Gto.)

Haven't encountered any scorps on the east coast of Mexico, but I have encountered plenty on the Pacific coast between Zihua and Acapulco. (At more rustic accomodations.) They're nocturnal, and seem to prefer that more arid-jungle-meets beach environment. The ones I saw were quite small and often liked to hang out on stucco walls.

Locals tell me that it's kind of like a wasp or bee sting, and like the previous poster mentions, reactions depend on your overall allergetic reaction to other bug bites. Shake out your shoes, don't leave clothes on the floor, ect. I always bring benedryl for a variety of reasons, helps with all sorts of bug bites.

In the Lake Chapala area of Mexico I saw a few dead scorpions. I also heard of a few people who had been bitten by them. It was always a rule in our house to never store foot ware on the floor and to always give them a good shake before donning them.

Well, when we stayed with some friends at their beach house in Mahajual (south of Cancun) they advised us to check shoes etc., because they'd seen a few since their house had been built. Then again, we didn't see any when we were there. So I suspect they're around - but not PREVALENT and not aggressively out to get ya!