Suggestion For Moderators On "important Topics''

[jaideeguy]

Last night, I had to make an emergency trip into the local hospital to drive an ole man who [to my guess] got stung on the foot by a centapede. Didn't have time to 'google' info at the time, but did this morning and found that my diagnosis was probably correct. He had sharp stinging pains, but no swelling or difficulty breathing.

'Google' and all it's many links informed me that typically a centapeed sting is usually just painful and sometimes swelling and first aid is to remove stinger by scraping [not tweesers as they can push venom into the victim], apply baking soda paste or calamine lotion and ice around wound.

If there is excessive swelling and/or difficulty breathing and/or fever...then seek medical treatment.

All's well with the old man this morning with a little lingering pain and slight swelling.

Anyway, I just wanted to share the above info and hopefully a moderator will see the importance and helpfullness of posting info, home remedies and dangers of all the toxic bugs [centapedes, scorpions, spiders, wasps etc] that we have in LOS as well as the many poison snakes.

[Sheryl]

Last night, I had to make an emergency trip into the local hospital to drive an ole man who [to my guess] got stung on the foot by a centapede. Didn't have time to 'google' info at the time, but did this morning and found that my diagnosis was probably correct. He had sharp stinging pains, but no swelling or difficulty breathing.

'Google' and all it's many links informed me that typically a centapeed sting is usually just painful and sometimes swelling and first aid is to remove stinger by scraping [not tweesers as they can push venom into the victim], apply baking soda paste or calamine lotion and ice around wound.

If there is excessive swelling and/or difficulty breathing and/or fever...then seek medical treatment.

All's well with the old man this morning with a little lingering pain and slight swelling.

Anyway, I just wanted to share the above info and hopefully a moderator will see the importance and helpfullness of posting info, home remedies and dangers of all the toxic bugs [centapedes, scorpions, spiders, wasps etc] that we have in LOS as well as the many poison snakes.

That's an excellent idea and I'll work on it when I have time.

Re scorpions, I have many around my house (and was stung once) so I have researched them extensively and it seems that the ones in Thailand are not fatal altho they hurt like $%^ and then some. In some parts of the world, there are lethal scorpions, but the Thai ones just make you want to die.

Possible exceptions would be multiple stings, a very small infant or someone allergic.

First aid: ice and the strongest pain killer you have on hand. Personally I keep a small quantity of strong pain killer on hand for exactly that reason and believe me, I needed it when I was stung.

A doctor can inject a local anesthetic nerve block to stop the pain and that is really the best approach as you otherwise have to stay doped up for 24-72 hours. However the average hack may not be familiar with this technique and it is not something you want an amateur to try.

I am told the millipedes are even more painful (altho I can't imagine how that's possible) but also not usually fatal.

The locals have told me th following treatment for scorpion stings, I have no idea if it works:

Rub off the end of a match (the sulfur), mix with lemoin juice and cooked rice into a paste and apply to the site.

In Cambodia, they claim that the skin or pelt of an exotic (and probably endangered) forest animal will work.

Personally, I'll stick to opiates or a nerve block if I can get the latter.

[awakened]

I am told the millipedes are even more painful (altho I can't imagine how that's possible) but also not usually fatal.

Was twice stung on bare feet by a millipede and howled louder than my Welsh Springer pining for his sister who was on heat. Treatment wise I didn't have a clue so just waited for the throbbing to subside.

Isn't activated charcoal effective for poison?

After 3 years in LOS I've been lucky enough not to have any incidents besides a 4 ft green snake once in the garden. Had to chase it down the street drain with a broom. At least the g/f did. I was hiding behind a tree.

[jaideeguy]

Correct me if I'm wrong as I'm suffering from the information overload that google can give you, but from what I read from the mucho information is that first aid for most tropical toxic insect stings can be minimised by neutralizing the toxin [usually acid in nature]with an alkaline substance such as baking soda, calimine lotion and/or amonia[?] and ice to reduce the inflamation/swelling, and that warning signs to seek medical attention are nausea, fever, difficulty breathing and excessive rash.

I didn't know that the millipedes [often confused with centipedes] are venomus as well. I gently kick 20 or more out the door daily with bare feet and haven't felt any pain or discomfort. Seems that I read that they do carry a toxin on their feet and are toxic to anything that will eat them, but they don't bite or sting.

Again, please correct me if i am wrong.....

and glad that others [sheryl] can see the value of a 'pinned' post on common insect and snake first aid info on the health and body forum important topics. let me know if i can be of assistance on this topic.....

[tim armstrong]

Last night, I had to make an emergency trip into the local hospital to drive an ole man who [to my guess] got stung on the foot by a centapede. Didn't have time to 'google' info at the time, but did this morning and found that my diagnosis was probably correct. He had sharp stinging pains, but no swelling or difficulty breathing.

'Google' and all it's many links informed me that typically a centapeed sting is usually just painful and sometimes swelling and first aid is to remove stinger by scraping [not tweesers as they can push venom into the victim], apply baking soda paste or calamine lotion and ice around wound.

If there is excessive swelling and/or difficulty breathing and/or fever...then seek medical treatment.

All's well with the old man this morning with a little lingering pain and slight swelling.

Anyway, I just wanted to share the above info and hopefully a moderator will see the importance and helpfullness of posting info, home remedies and dangers of all the toxic bugs [centapedes, scorpions, spiders, wasps etc] that we have in LOS as well as the many poison snakes.

I was stung on the foot by a scorpion a few months ago. My wife and family laughed and gave it not the sympathy I thought it deserved. Two days later after much pain and some zambuck and tea tree oil it was OK. A month later my brother in law was fishing in a local river and trod on a freshwater stingray about a metre long. He was stung on the foot also. Similarly, not too much sympathy, but the stingray was killed and displayed for all to see. The treatment he received (amazing but true) was a can of strong smelling mackerel in tomato sauce applied to the site. It worked! no swelling or pain after 4 days. Tim

[wade72]

http://www.siam-info.de/english/poisonous_animals.html

Here is a site I use pretty often when I see a new snake on the property or some other critter that might be dangerous. Sorry snake lovers but generally if I find a snake on the property that I can't 100% identify as harmless it becomes two snakes and my shovel needs a good washing afterwards.

Anyways lots of information and pictures of Thailands nasty inhabitants.

[Sheryl]

I didn't know that the millipedes [often confused with centipedes] are venomus as well. I gently kick 20 or more out the door daily with bare feet and haven't felt any pain or discomfort. Seems that I read that they do carry a toxin on their feet and are toxic to anything that will eat them, but they don't bite or sting.

Again, please correct me if i am wrong.....

If you are referring to the little brown fellas that curl up into a ball when touched, that's not what I meant and indeed, they are thoughly harmless.

What I was referring to are large furry incredibly ugly critters with some orange and black sort of color and white underbelly. There was a thread a while back in the pets and vets forum, with pix. Those guys -- which I gather are millipedes altho I copuld be wrong -- are poisonous.

[MP5]

Scorpion Venom

The venom is used for both prey capture , defense and possibly to subdue mates

All scorpions do possess venom and can sting but their natural tendency is to hide and escape

Scorpions can control the venom flow so some sting incidents are venom less or only mild envenomations

Scorpion venoms are a complex mixture of neurotoxins that affect the victims’ nervous system.

First Aid

Ice immediately

White vinegar treatment

Administer local wound care and topical antibiotic to the wound

Keep the extremity lower than heart level

Requires Emergency Room treatment too

Administer tetanus prophylaxis

Administer systemic antibiotics if signs of secondary infection occur

Administer muscle relaxants for severe muscle spasms( i.e. benzodiazepines )

Prevention of Scorpion Bites

Check shoes, gloves, clothing, and backpacks for scorpions prior to use

Keep gardens free of debris which can serve as a place for scorpions to hide

Make sure windows and doors fit tightly to prevent scorpions from entering house

Avoid walking barefoot especially at night when scorpions are active

Never thrust hand or kick your foot where the eye cannot see

Brush don’t swat anything off your body during the night

Thai scorpions are not known to be lethal but they can make one very unwell

[yeti]

From what I was told there are mainly 2 kinds of scorpion in Thailand, big black ones, and small brown ones which are much more painful than the black ones.

Also a baby scorpion is more dangerous when biting than an adult one as they can't control the amount of venom they inject, ie they send it all in one time.

[jaideeguy]

interesting that scorpion sting remedy is white vinegar [acid] and centapeed remedy is baking soda paste [alkaline]...again illustrating the need for a verified and pinned info on the health, body and medicine forum for all the many critters that we come in contact with. Any volunteers??

[MP5]

Poisonous Centipedes in Thailand

Size: Up to 20 cm

Habitat:Throughout Thailand mostly at ground level. They can however climb walls etc.

Danger level: Not dangerous but very painful and can lead to serious infections.

Seek medical help as soon as possible after first aid.

[himachal]

Stingrays. I stepped on one in Krabi years ago. Very painful till following day.

Treatment? Had no idea. Locals, though compassionate, seemed to think laughter was the best medicine. (I must admit it helped!)

Prevention? When wading, drag your feet through the sand. This should give them some warning of your approach and time to scarper.

BTW. If you do get stung, make sure the barb from the tail isn't embedded in your foot. I didn't check, assuming it was just ongoing pain from the sting. Finally got it removed with difficulty much later.

Oh yeah, almost forgot. Ever noticed how nearly all creepy crawlies begin with 's' sound? How many can you name that don't?

[MP5]

Stingray

HABITAT

Shallow, sandy areas to deep oceans.

PREVENTION

Shuffle feet when walking in shallow inshore waters. Stay clear of disturbed (swimming) ray. Do Not Molest!

INJURY MECHANISM

Tail with poisonous barb near base of body.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Lacerations and severe pain. Punctures in abdomen or chest are very serious - a medical emergency.

FIRST AID TREATMENT

Stop any bleeding, clean thoroughly with mild soap and water.

Immerse in hot water to tolerance for pain.

Get medical treatment for deep cuts and embedded barb pieces.

Do not try to remove pieces yourself - get medical help.

[Dave the Dude]

I didn't know that the millipedes [often confused with centipedes] are venomus as well. I gently kick 20 or more out the door daily with bare feet and haven't felt any pain or discomfort. Seems that I read that they do carry a toxin on their feet and are toxic to anything that will eat them, but they don't bite or sting.

unfotunetly, I can confirm they bite.

Its 1am and I am typing this (left handed)while holding a bag og ice on my 2RSE. I have been biten 4 times by a small brownish mille/centipede that fancied going to bed with me!

no baking soda.

peracetamols.

ice.

no beer

GOODNIGHT

DAVE

[Sophon]

unfotunetly, I can confirm they bite.

Its 1am and I am typing this (left handed)while holding a bag og ice on my 2RSE. I have been biten 4 times by a small brownish mille/centipede that fancied going to bed with me!

no baking soda.

peracetamols.

ice.

no beer

GOODNIGHT

DAVE

Unfortunately your post is not very clear as you use the wording "mille/centipede". I'm willing to bet that it was actually a centipede that bit you as I'm also in the "believe that millipedes don't bite" camp.

Please confirm whether you were in fact bit by a centipede or by a millipede?

Sophon

[Dave the Dude]

Unfortunately your post is not very clear as you use the wording "mille/centipede". I'm willing to bet that it was actually a centipede that bit you as I'm also in the "believe that millipedes don't bite" camp.

Please confirm whether you were in fact bit by a centipede or by a millipede?

Sophon

Hi

You are right my post was unclear and rushed. Had too much on my mind (read: @rse) at the time.

The animal looked like the picture posted previosly (No5?) although more brownish than red. Sorry I was not in a mood to take photo's last night of the little b*gger.

I am pleased to say that after 7 hours and a sleepless night, the pain has vertually gone. I think copious amounts of PG Tips & Ice did the trick

Dave

[Datsun240Z]

Make sure you have a lighter with you when you go into the woods. Many insects that keep stuck on your body let go when they feel heat of the fire.

[jetjock]

unfotunetly, I can confirm they bite.

Its 1am and I am typing this (left handed)while holding a bag og ice on my 2RSE. I have been biten 4 times by a small brownish mille/centipede that fancied going to bed with me!

no baking soda.

peracetamols.

ice.

no beer

GOODNIGHT

DAVE

Unfortunately your post is not very clear as you use the wording "mille/centipede". I'm willing to bet that it was actually a centipede that bit you as I'm also in the "believe that millipedes don't bite" camp.

Please confirm whether you were in fact bit by a centipede or by a millipede?

Sophon

Millipedes do not bite and do not have poison glands unlike centipedes which do bite and do have poison glands. Some species of milllipedes do however have repugnatorial glands capable of producing irritating fluids which may produce allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to insects or insect toxins. It is best to avoid touching millepedes as this irritating fluid can cover their bodies. We have lots of millipedes and centipedes here in Hawaii however unlike Thailand we have no poisonous snakes here in the islands.