MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Centipede

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Centipede

Contents of this page:
Definition Poisonous Ingredient Where Found Symptoms Home Treatment	Before Calling Emergency Poison Control, or a local emergency number What to expect at the emergency room Expectations (prognosis)

Definition

Poisoning from a centipede bite.

Poisonous Ingredient

centipede venom

Where Found

centipedes

Symptoms

body as a whole
- pain in the area of bite
- swelling in the area of bite
- possible lymph node swelling
skin
- redness in the area of bite

Home Treatment

Place ice (wrapped in a washcloth or other suitable covering) on the site of the bite for 10 minutes and then off for 10 minutes. Repeat this process. If patient has circulatory problems, decrease the time to prevent possible damage to the skin. A trip to the emergency room will probably not be necessary, but contact Poison Control just to make sure.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

the patient's age, weight, and condition
the identity of the centipede if possible
the time of the bite

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. If possible, bring the insect to the emergency room for identification.

What to expect at the emergency room

Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis)

Symptoms usually last less than 48 hours. Severe allergic reactions or contact with exotic specimens may require more treatment.

Update Date: 2/23/2004

Updated by: Cherlin Johnson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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