A centipede, what is it?

For those who do not know what a centipede looks like, it's a big disgusting centipede . And dangerous too! Its long body is segmented, and it has 2 hooks under the head . They are the ones that allow the centipede to bite.

She has a habit of biting everything she touches ... And the bite of this beast little ragoûtante whose size varies from 5 to 30 cm, must be quickly treated under penalty of infection. Do not panic, we give you the instructions for dealing with a bite of centipede.

Very present in the South of France and in all the outline of the Mediterranean Sea, the centipede likes to take up residence in our houses and their nooks: above a door, behind the shower curtain, in our sheets ... In short, in any small flat space, dark and cool.

How to cure and soothe a bite of centipede?

A bite of centipede, it hurts! Edema and redness appear immediately.
- Like any insect bite, the sting of the centipede is first cleaned with a little water and soap.
The area is then disinfected with an antiseptic based on chlorhexidine.
- To calm the pain, take paracetamol (type Doliprane): 1 to 2 tablets of 500 mg, to be renewed if necessary after 4 hours minimum and without exceeding 6 tablets per day.
- It may be possible to complete the disinfection process by applying cream containing corticosteroids and taking antihistamines. Medications to fight against itching, to be dispensed without prescription by his pharmacist.
- If the pain persists 24 hours after the bite of centipede, consult a general practitioner who will decide whether or not to continue the treatment with antibiotics.

Thanks to Sandrine Rousselot, pharmacist, National Order of Pharmacists