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Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Granulocyte-dependent Autoantibody-induced Skin Blistering
Published on: October 12, 2012
Skin lesions simulating blue toe syndrome caused by prolonged contact with a millipede
Augusto Scardazan Heeren Neto1, Fred Bernardes Filho2, Gustavo Martins3
1Programa de Pós-Gradução de Ensino e Pesquisa em Entomologia Médica e Acariologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Abstract:
Venomous animals are those that, by means of a hunting and defense mechanism, are able to inject their prey with a toxic substance produced in their bodies, directly from specialized glands (e.g., tooth, sting, spur) through which the poison passes. Millipedes are poisonous animals; they can be harmful to humans, and their effects usually manifest as erythematous, purpuric, and cyanotic lesions; local pain; and paresthesia. Here, we report a case of skin contact with a millipede for 6h resulting in skin lesions similar to blue toe syndrome.
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