Acentipede bite is an injury resulting from the action of acentipede'sforcipules,stinger-likeappendages that pierce the skin and injectvenom into the wound. Such a wound is not strictly speaking abite, as the forcipules are a modified first pair oflegs rather than truemouthparts. Clinically, the wound is viewed as a cutaneous condition characterized by paired hemorrhagic marks that form achevron 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 developallergic 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.[citation needed]
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.[6]
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| 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 |
NaturalistJacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre reported that his dog developed a serious ulcer after a centipede bite during travels inMauritius.[7]
YouTube personalityCoyote Peterson has been intentionally bitten byScolopendra heros (giant desert centipede) and declares that the pain caused by the bite is worse than abullet ant sting.[8][9]
Muay Thai fighterDokmaipa Por Pongsawang died after a bite from an arthropod described as atakhap (large centipede).[10] Taiwanese folk musicianDifang Duana's death was accelerated by a centipede bite he suffered six months earlier.[11] Both Pongsawang and Duana werediabetic.[10][11]
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| Vertebrate | |
| Other | |
