What to do when a centipede ruins your romantic date

A centipede crashes a romantic date: how an evening outdoors can go wrong

Nobody plans to cross paths with a centipede. But when it happens, the scene stops being idyllic: a quick sting turns into a burning pain that forces you to abandon the picnic, your clothes and even your composure. The anecdote, which has been making the rounds these days, has a hilarious side to it, but it also raises a practical question: what should you do when one of these myriapods crashes a date?

The story describes a sunset walk along a cliff, melon included, when suddenly there is a sharp sting on the thigh. The pain, compared to that of a burning ember, was enough to make the man jump, elbow his companion and shed his shirt mid-flight. The snack tray ended up on the ground. The scare boiled down to a chase after a "disgusting" critter that vanished into the shadows.

In Spain, centipede bites are not rare in warm seasons. Their venom causes intense pain, although in most cases nothing more than cleaning and a local cold compress is needed. The main problem is the reaction to the burning sensation, which can lead to impulsive behaviour. Experts recommend not rubbing the area, avoiding heat and going to a health centre if swelling or dizziness appears.

The anecdote, with or without photos, has sparked a debate about the unexpected mishaps of outdoor dates. Some argue that the danger is not the creature itself, but the habit of exaggerating mishaps. If the goal was to add some spark to the evening, maybe it worked: the date ended early, but the story has plenty of material to be told. What nobody knows yet is whether the burning ordeal will leave any lesson beyond the momentary emergency.