When I lived in 29 Palms (the high desert of California) we had tons of scorpions at our house. We would go into the garage barefoot without the lights off not knowing there were TONS of scorpions in there. One night we decided to just turn on the light and we were very surprised to see so many of them running by our feet. We were extremely lucky to not have been stung or stepped on one!

I am sorry about your friend. I hope she starts feeling better soon. Poor thing.