Centipedes are venomous and predatory arthropods. Some can cause significant bites to humans, but not all centipede bites are significant.
Genus: Scolopendra
Distribution: tropics and subtropics
Toxin: complex
Most bites occur on the hands or feet. Centipedes may hide in shoes at night.
The most common symptom of a bite is intense local pain. Others may include local erythema, dizziness, nausea and headache.
Local complications:
(1) complex regional pain syndrome
(2) infection (abscess, cellulitis)
(3) local necrosis
Systemic complications:
(1) proteinuria
(2) anaphylaxis
(3) skin rash
(4) rhabdomyolysis
(5) myocardial infarction
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Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine
