Are Large Centipedes Venomous? Correct Treatment After a Bite

When it comes to centipedes, everyone must be familiar with them. Not only do they have many legs, but they are also frightening. Many people are afraid when they see one. However, they can be steeped in liquor and are a good medicinal herb. So, are large centipedes venomous?

1. Are large centipedes venomous?

Large centipedes are venomous, and the venom is located on the legs on the head, which are hook-shaped. The tip of the hook has a venom gland opening that discharges toxic fluid. Once a person is bitten, the venom immediately enters under the skin, causing redness, swelling, pain and other symptoms of envenomation, though the pain is not very pronounced. After being bitten, a suction device or cupping jar can be used to draw out the venom, and potassium permanganate solution or lime water can be used to wash the wound.

2. What should you do if bitten by a centipede?

1. First, quickly find a strip of cloth and tie it tightly above the bite wound to prevent the venom from spreading further. Remember to loosen the cloth about every 15 minutes to avoid necrosis of the bitten area.

2. Immediately after discovering the bite, wash the affected area with soapy water, or first apply ice around the wound to relieve pain, then cut open the skin at the wound. Use a breast pump or cupping jar to draw out as much venom as possible. Apply 5%-10% dilute ammonia solution (ammonia water) or 5%-10% sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) solution topically.

3. If the bite is not very serious and there is only a burning pain, you can mash Houttuynia cordata (fish mint) or dandelion and apply it externally. Both of these Chinese herbal medicines clear heat and detoxify. Don't say you don't know these two plants; they are the most common herbs and generally grow wherever there are weeds.

4. When redness and swelling are pronounced and the pain is severe, 3 ml of 1% emetine hydrochloride (ipecac alkaloid) aqueous solution can be injected subcutaneously at the bleeding point or at the proximal end of the bite, which can quickly relieve pain. Alternatively, inject 0.5%-1% procaine or 2% lidocaine, which not only relieves pain but also prevents the venom from spreading.

5. Orally take Nantong Jidesheng snake medicine tablets or Shanghai snake medicine. The medicine can also be mixed with water into a paste and applied externally to the affected area.

6. If systemic poisoning symptoms appear, rescue must be carried out promptly, and antihistamines and corticosteroids should be given as early as possible. If there are signs of allergy, antihistamine drugs such as diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine should be taken. If the pain is severe or systemic symptoms are serious, the patient should be sent to the hospital immediately for treatment.

7. After tying the wound, quickly find soapy water to wash the wound, or use alcohol to disinfect it. After doing these things, if you feel very unwell overall, then hurry to the hospital.