Centipede bites: what to know and how to deal with them

Author: Zheng Hong, deputy chief physician of Guilin Medical College Affiliated Hospital

Zhou Yitong Guilin Medical College Affiliated Hospital

Fu Xuelin, Chief Physician, Guilin Medical College Affiliated Hospital

Reviewer: Ye Ning, Chief Physician, Guilin Medical College Affiliated Hospital

In our daily lives, centipedes, a kind of multi-legged creature, may not be common, but they lurk in dark and damp corners and may pose a threat to us at any time. Summer is the peak season for centipede activity and the season when centipede bites occur frequently. This article will teach you about centipedes and centipede bites, including the basic characteristics of centipedes, symptoms after bites, emergency treatment methods and preventive measures, so that you can calmly deal with such situations when you encounter them.

1. Basic characteristics of centipedes

Centipedes, commonly known as "centipedes", belong to the class Myriapoda. They are slender and consist of many segments, each with a pair of legs. They are afraid of light and like to live in dark and humid environments, such as corners, brick crevices, gutters, rotten wood, bark and weeds. Common centipedes in my country include red-headed, green-headed, black-headed and many other species, some of which are poisonous.

The toxicity of centipedes mainly comes from the poison glands in their front legs. When the centipede pierces the skin with its sharp poisonous claws, the poison glands will secrete a large amount of venom, which will be injected into the body of the bitten person, causing a poisoning reaction. This venom contains a variety of toxic components such as histamine-like substances and hemolytic proteins, which can destroy human tissues and cause local and systemic poisoning symptoms.

2. Symptoms of centipede bites

After being bitten by a centipede, the symptoms will vary depending on the type and size of the centipede and individual reactions. But generally speaking, they can be divided into two categories: local symptoms and systemic symptoms.

1. Local symptoms

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Petechiae at the bite site: Obvious petechiae will appear at the bite site, which are the marks left when the centipede's poisonous claws pierce the skin.

Redness, swelling and pain: The skin around the bite site quickly becomes red and swollen, accompanied by severe pain. As the toxin spreads, the redness and swelling may gradually expand.

Blisters and necrosis: If you are bitten by certain highly venomous centipedes, blisters or even skin necrosis may appear locally.

Lymphangitis: The lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels at the bite site may have an inflammatory reaction, resulting in obstruction of lymphatic return and increased local swelling.

2. Systemic symptoms

Fever and nausea: After toxins enter the blood, they may trigger a systemic inflammatory response, manifesting as symptoms such as fever, nausea, and vomiting.

Dizziness and headache: Some patients may experience symptoms such as dizziness and headache, and severe cases may experience impaired consciousness.

Palpitations and convulsions: The heart and nervous system are affected by toxins, and serious symptoms such as palpitations and convulsions may occur.

Anaphylactic shock: In rare cases, patients may have a severe allergic reaction to centipede venom, leading to anaphylactic shock, which can be life-threatening.

3. Emergency treatment methods

After being bitten by a centipede, prompt and effective emergency treatment is essential to relieve symptoms and prevent the condition from getting worse. Here are some basic treatment steps:

Rinse the wound: Immediately rinse the wound with alkaline soapy water or 5% to 10% sodium bicarbonate water (baking soda water) to neutralize the acidic venom released by the centipede. The rinsing time should last for more than 5 minutes.

Suck out the venom: If conditions permit, you can use cupping or breast pumps to suck out the venom in the wound as much as possible. But remember not to squeeze the wound forcibly to prevent the venom from spreading or aggravating tissue damage.

Ice the wound: Use ice cubes or cold towels to ice the wound to reduce the absorption of venom and reduce local swelling. But be careful not to apply ice for too long to avoid frostbite.

Local medication: You can apply some Chinese herbal medicine or ointment that has the effects of clearing away heat and detoxification, reducing swelling and relieving pain. But please note that these drugs should be used under the guidance of a doctor.

Medical treatment: If severe symptoms or systemic symptoms occur after being bitten, you should seek medical treatment immediately. The doctor will give appropriate histamine and corticosteroid drugs according to the condition.

IV. Preventive measures

The key to preventing centipede bites is to improve the living environment, strengthen personal protection and increase vigilance. The following are some effective preventive measures:

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Keep the environment dry and tidy: Regularly clean the dark and damp corners in the home, such as corners, under the bed, in the wardrobe, etc., to reduce the living space of centipedes.

Use insect repellent: Spray an appropriate amount of insect repellent in humid places such as kitchens and bathrooms to repel or kill pests such as centipedes.

Strengthen personal protection: When working outdoors or in a humid environment, you should wear long-sleeved clothes and long pants, gloves, hats, etc. to reduce the risk of being bitten by centipedes.

Increase vigilance: When you are active at night or in low light conditions, pay special attention to your feet and surroundings to avoid stepping on or touching hidden centipedes. At the same time, keep children and pets away from places where centipedes may hide to enhance their awareness of prevention.