Millipede burns in man
Radford, A.J.
Tropical and Geographical Medicine 27(3): 279-287
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-3232 PMID: 1103388 Document Number: 92733
The clinical features and treatment of lesions caused by the secretions of millipedes (Diplopoda) in man are reviewed, and the toxicology of the secretions is discussed. The toxic effects of millipedes are well recognised in Haiti, Nigeria, Indonesia, West Malaysia and Papua New Guinea and have been occasionally reported from other tropical parts of Africa and America and from India and northern Australia. Children are most affected. Lesions on soft parts of the skin can be moderately severe, and eye lesions may result in blindness if not adequately treated. The species of medical importance are confined to the subclass Chilognatha by virtue of the distinguishing feature, the presence of glands secreting obnoxious fluids. Two species of Rhinocricus have been implicated in causing injury in Haiti and unspecified members of 6 other genera in other parts of the world.