![Millipedes belong to the family of arthropods (small animals with jointed, paired legs and no internal spine).](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/are-millipedes-dangerous.jpg?output-quality=75)
Millipedes belong to the family of arthropods (small animals with jointed, paired legs and no internal spine). They are characterized by well-rounded body segments and numerous legs. They are closely related to lobsters, but unlike lobsters, millipedes are land dwellers.
Mostly, millipedes aren’t dangerous and do not carry disease that affects people, animals, or plants. They do not cause any damage to the furniture inside the house. However, some species of millipedes release toxins all over their body when threatened or handled roughly. However, they never bite or sting like centipedes.
Millipede toxins involve harmful chemicals like:
- Hydrochloric acid
- Hydrogen cyanide
- Organic acids
- Phenol
- Cresols
- Benzoquinones
- Hydroquinones (in some millipedes)
If these toxins come in contact with the skin, symptoms may include:
If these toxins get in the eyes, symptoms may include:
- Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the transparent membrane lining the front of the eyeball and eyelids)
- Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea)
- Pain
- Tearing
- Spasm of the eyelids
- Blindness (rare)
What is a millipede?
What are some ways to prevent millipede entry into the house?
Some of the effective ways to prevent millipede’s entry into the house include:
- Sealing all the cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and pipes.
- Vacuuming the millipedes trapped in the house and discarding the bag in the end.
- Keeping vegetation and mulch at least 6 inches away from the base of the house to forbid the nesting of the millipedes.
- Eliminating trash piles, rocks, boards, decaying grass and leaves, rotting wood, and other matters from the vicinity around the outside of the home. Millipedes like to nest there.
Also, if you come across a millipede, you should:
- Never try to touch it with bare hands
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling millipedes
- Avoid fluid contact with your eye
![](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/quiz/human-body/human-body-s1.jpg)
QUESTION
What percentage of the human body is water? See AnswerHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Medline Plus. Millipede Toxin. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002846.htm
Mulder P. Centipedes and Millipedes. Oklahoma State University. February 2017. https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/centipedes-and-millipedes.html
Top Are Millipedes Dangerous? Related Articles
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
8 First Aid Kit Essentials for Scrapes, Cuts, Bug Bites, and More
Are you always prepared for a first aid crisis? See which basic first aid items to pack to treat minor scrapes, cuts, and stings when you're on the go.Summer Skin Quiz
When it comes to summer, there plenty of hazards under the sun! Take the Summer Skin Hazards Quiz and clue in on the dangers to your summer skin!