Biting or stinging arthropods may cause direct injury to humans through hypersensitivity (itch) or toxic effects (eg., caused by arthropod salivary products). Of additional interest: some house mites, dust mites, and animal mites may cause allergies and hayfever.
Envenomation: Process whereby poison or toxin (venom) is injected into the human through the process of biting or stinging. The most common arthropod examples are:
- Wasps
- Bees
- Ants
- Spiders
- Scorpions
- Centipedes, millipedes
Blister beetles (dead or alive) may cause injury by contact with the secreted cantharidin (a poisonous substance, a
vesicant that causes blisters). Some millipedes may also be capable of spraying vesicating substances. Other beetles may cause contact dermatitis. Papules may be confused with some of the rash-causing arthropods of medical importance that will be discussed later in this course.
