Millipedes are not considered poisonous animals, although in some cases their chemical defense mechanisms may be deleterious for human beings, manifesting as erythematous, purpuric and/ or cyanotic lesions alongside local pain and paresthesia. According to the exposure, the clinical condition may progress to moderate and severe lesions such as ulcers and blisters. We describe a case of a male child from the Andean region in Colombia, an area with daily temperatures between 15° and 30° C and 72% average humidity. The boy accidentally stepped on a millipede, and this occurrence became a challenge for its diagnosis amongst staff who provided emergency health care.

Millipedes are not considered poisonous animals, although in some cases their chemical defense mechanisms may be deleterious for human beings, manifesting as erythematous, purpuric and/ or cyanotic lesions alongside local pain and paresthesia. According to the exposure, the clinical condition may progress to moderate and severe lesions such as ulcers and blisters. We describe a case of a male child from the Andean region in Colombia, an area with daily temperatures between 15° and 30° C and 72% average humidity. The boy accidentally stepped on a millipede, and this occurrence became a challenge for its diagnosis amongst staff who provided emergency health care.