How to Treat a Centipede Bite

Centipedes have a painful bite, but the good news is that the pain is often the worst of it. Centipede bites are not toxic enough to be deadly. If you are bitten by a centipede, here are steps that you can take to treat the bite.

Instructions

• 1

  Remain calm and do not panic. The bite will hurt and may cause swelling, but is treatable.

• 2

  Wash the area with soap and water.

• 3

  Apply a hot compress to reduce the pain. Or, if you have swelling, use an ice pack or cold compress to help relieve it.

• 4

  Try taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen to counter the pain.

• 5

  Treat the itch of a healing centipede bite with the application of a hydrocortisone cream.

• 6

  Watch the area of the bite for any infection. While an antibiotic is not a first step for treating a centipede bite, it is important if an infection develops. Watch for this closely.