Centipede bite | |
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Underside of Scolopendra cingulata, showing the forcipules |
A centipede bite is an injury resulting from the action of a centipede's forcipules, stinger-like appendages that pierce the skin and inject venom into the wound. Such a wound is not strictly speaking a bite, as the forcipules are a modified first pair of legs rather than true mouthparts. Clinically, the wound is viewed as a cutaneous condition characterized by paired hemorrhagic marks that form a chevron shape caused by the paired forcipules. [1]
The centipede's venom causes pain and swelling in the area of the bite, and may cause other reactions throughout the body. The majority of bites are not life-threatening to humans and present the greatest risk to children and those who develop allergic reactions. [2] [3]
Symptoms which are most likely to develop include: [4]
Other symptoms such as hardening of the skin and tissue death may also occur. [5] In rare cases, Wells syndrome may also develop. [6]
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Centipedes bites, while painful, rarely cause severe health complications in people. Centipede venoms are heat-labile, and warm-water immersion may help reduce pain and swelling.Icing also helps [7]
Part of a series on |
Myriapods |
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Classes |
Centipedes • Millipedes • Symphylans • Pauropods |
Anatomy |
Organ of Tömösváry •
Ozopore •
Ultimate legs Cyphopods • Forcipules • Millipede gonopods |
Notable species |
Eumillipes persephone • Eopauropus balticus • Scolopendra gigantea • Scutigerella immaculata |
Interactions with humans |
Naturalist Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre reported that his dog developed a serious ulcer after a centipede bite during travels in Mauritius. [8]
YouTube personality Coyote Peterson has been intentionally bitten by Scolopendra heros (giant desert centipede) and declares that the pain caused by the bite is worse than a bullet ant sting. [9] [10]
Muay Thai fighter Dokmaipa Por Pongsawang died after a bite from an arthropod described as a takhap (large centipede). [11] Taiwanese Difang Duana's death was accelerated by a centipede bite six months earlier. [12] Both Pongsawang and Duana were diabetic. [11] [12]