ABSTRACT
This chapter presents information on the medical importance, geographic distribution, and biological aspects of centipedes and provides the recommended procedures for treatment of centipede bites. Centipedes are long, multisegmented arthropods that characteristically have one pair of legs per body segment. Centipede species in the northern United States are small and generally harmless to humans, but larger species in the southern United States and tropics can inflict a painful bite. Clinical features of centipede bites vary with locality and species but generally are immediately painful, with some swelling and local tenderness for a few hours. More severe reactions rarely occur and may include anxiety, vomiting, irregular pulse, dizziness, and headache. Most centipede bites are uncomplicated and self-limiting. Pain from bites usually subsides in 8–36 hours. Treatment recommendations include washing the bite site with soap and water, applying ice or cool wet dressings, and taking analgesics for pain.
