Centipede bite
{{Short description|Type of arthropod attack}}
File:Scolopendra fg02.JPG, 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.{{cite book |editor1-last=James |editor1-first=William Daniel |editor2-last=Berger |editor2-first=Timothy G. |editor3-last=Elston |editor3-first=Dirk M. |title=Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology |date=2006 |publisher=Saunders Elsevier |isbn=978-0-8089-2351-0 }}{{pn|date=February 2025}}
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.{{cite web |url=http://www.orkin.com/other/centipedes/centipede-bite |title=Centipede Bite |year=2011 |work=Orkin |access-date=April 29, 2011 }}{{cite journal |last1=Bush |first1=Sean P. |last2=King |first2=Bradley O. |last3=Norris |first3=Robert L. |last4=Stockwell |first4=Scott A. |title=Centipede envenomation |journal=Wilderness & Environmental Medicine |date=June 2001 |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=93–99 |doi=10.1580/1080-6032(2001)012[0093:CE]2.0.CO;2 |pmid=11434497 |doi-access=free }}
Symptoms and signs
Symptoms which are most likely to develop include:{{cite web | url=https://www.orkin.com/pests/centipedes/how-to-identify-centipede-bites | title=Do Centipedes Bite? | Get Rid of Centipedes | Orkin }}
Other symptoms such as hardening of the skin and tissue death may also occur.{{Cite news |title=Centipede bites: Effects and treatment |language=en |url=https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/centipede-bites#effects |access-date=2022-10-04}} In rare cases, Wells syndrome may also develop.{{fact|date=February 2025}}
Treatment
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.{{cite web | url=https://www.poison.org/articles/are-centipede-stings-harmful-191 | title=Centipede Stings }}
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Society and culture
Naturalist Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre reported that his dog developed a serious ulcer after a centipede bite during travels in Mauritius.{{cite book |last1=de Saint-Pierre |first1=Bernardin |title=Voyage à l'Isle de France, à l'Isle de Bourbon, au Cap de Bonne-Espérance, etc. avec des observations nouvelles sur la nature et sur les hommes |date=1773 |page=128 |url=https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k1019923 }}
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.{{Citation|title=Centipede Bite Worse Than ALL Stings?!| date=26 December 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6vzjjIrRK8|language=en|access-date=2021-12-30}}{{cite news |last1=Nelson |first1=Dustin |title=This Maniac Let a Giant Centipede Give Him One of the World's Most Painful Bug Bites |url=https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/coyote-peterson-giant-desert-centipede |work=Thrillist |date=20 December 2017 }}
Muay Thai fighter Dokmaipa Por Pongsawang died after a bite from an arthropod described as a {{lang|th|takhap}} (large centipede).{{cite news |title=Muay Thai champ dies from bite blamed on monster centipede |url=https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/muay-thai-champ-dies-from-bite-blamed-on-monster-centipede/ |work=Coconuts Bangkok |date=8 October 2020 }}{{rs|date=February 2025}} Taiwanese folk musician Difang Duana's death was accelerated by a centipede bite he suffered six months earlier.{{cite web |last=Huang |first=Sandy |date=March 30, 2002 |title=Amis singer Difang passes away |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2002/03/30/0000129773 |work=Taipei Times |accessdate=2012-04-19}} Both Pongsawang and Duana were diabetic.
See also
References
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External links
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| ICD10 = T63.4, X24
| ICD9 = {{ICD9|989.5}}, {{ICD9|E905.4}}
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{{Animal bites and stings}}
Category:Parasitic infestations, stings, and bites of the skin