J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2008 Apr;19(2):200-204.

A Clinical Analysis of 179 Cases of Centipede Bite Patients Who Visited the Emergency Department in Korea

• Kwon JH
• Seol SH
• Choi SC
• Kim GW
• Yuh HC
• Yang SW
• Chung JB
• Jung JD

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of centipede bite injuries.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective study of clinical manifestations in patients who were identified between April 2005 to April 2007 as having suffered from centipede bites. Factors evaluated included sex, age, location and time of bite, part of body affected, clinical signs and symptoms, treatment modalities and complications.
RESULTS
A total of 179 cases of centipede bite were identified. Centipede bites occurred between spring and autumn. 69.3% of bites happened at night. All patients were bitten on an exposed body parts, and the digit of both the handsand feet were the sites most often involved. Pain, swelling, erythema were the most frequent symptoms and signs. Most cases showed minor manifestations but, three patients needed to be admitted because of anaphylaxis.
CONCLUSION
Centipede bites are relatively common in the summer season in rural and island areas, especially at night. Though the clinical symptoms of centipede bites are generally minor symptoms, emergency physicians need to possess accurate knowledge of the clinical manifestations in order to properly identify severe cases.

Keyword

Arthropods; Bites and Stings; Anaphylaxis

MeSH Terms

Anaphylaxis
Arthropods
Bites and Stings
Emergencies
Erythema
Foot
Human Body
Humans
Korea
Retrospective Studies
Seasons