Difference between revisions of "Treat a Caterpillar Sting"

{{fa}}More than 50 species of [[Care for a Caterpillar|caterpillars]] in the United States are capable of inflicting a painful sting.<ref name="rf16044">emedicine, Caterpillar Envenomation, http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/772949-overview</ref> Caterpillars, the adolescent forms of moths and butterflies, often have stinging fibers and hairs as a form of protection against predators; sometimes these also contain toxins as well as being penetrating when released.<ref name="rf16045">DermNet NZ, Skin problems due to caterpillars and moths, http://dermnetnz.org/arthropods/caterpillars.html</ref>  

# Understand the types of reactions that are possible with a caterpillar sting:<ref name="rf16044" />  

#*Bleeding and [[Treat Chronic Renal Failure|renal failure]] can occur after contact with the South American ''Lonomia'' caterpillar. Contact with this caterpillar can be dangerous, even fatal, if you handle it in numbers (such as picking up vegetation where lots of them are found). It is located in Brazil and there is an antivenin.<ref name="rf16046">Wikipedia, ''Lonomia'', http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonomia</ref>

# Calm the recipient of the sting. It's easier and less stressful to treat a sting if you're calm. Moreover, venom tends to travel faster when a patient is moving about.<ref name="rf16047">Web MD, Insect Bites and Stings, http://firstaid.webmd.com/tc/insect-bites-and-stings-and-spider-bites-home-treatment</ref> Understand that most caterpillar stings in North America and Europe, while painful, are benign. Deaths from caterpillar stings are rare.<ref name="rf16044" />

# Remove the caterpillar and/or stinger if it is still on the body. Use forceps or [[Choose Tweezers|tweezers]], not bare hands.<ref name="rf16045" />

# Place Scotch tape, cellophane tape, or [[Use Duct Tape|duct tape]] over the site of the sting. Strip off repeatedly. This will remove the spines, hairs, and toxins. But each time you place the tape on, use a new piece, to avoid adding to the sting. <ref name="rf16048">Florida Information Poison Center, Stinging Caterpillars, http://www.poisoncentertampa.org/venomous-critters/caterpillars.aspx</ref>

#*Commercial face peel can be used in place of tape.<ref name="rf16047" />

# Wash the injured area using [[Make Your Own Soap|soap]] and water.<ref name="rf16045" /> Remove all contaminated clothing and wash in hot water.

# Frozen food works admirably. Apply an ice pack to the stinging area after washing it. When the stinging sensation has reduced (check after 15–20 minutes), apply a paste made from baking soda and water.<ref name="rf16048" />, frozen food works admirably|right]]

#*Swelling can be minimized by elevating the area of the sting.<ref name="rf16047" />

#*You can reapply the ice pack once every hour for 15–20 minutes for the following hours, if needed.<ref name="rf16047" />

#*If the patient suffers from asthma, hay fever, or other allergies, or if allergic symptoms arise, see a doctor immediately.<ref name="rf16048" />

#*The puss caterpillar or asp (Megalopyge opercularis): This is considered to be the most dangerous caterpillar in the United States and Central America. This is the larval form of the flannel moth and its range is from Maryland to Mexico. The bigger the caterpillar, the worse its impact. They are usually found on found various trees and shrubs, including elm, maple, hack berry, oak, sycamore, etc.<ref name="rf16049">UK Ag, Caterpillar Stings, http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef003.asp</ref> You are most likely to encounter it from June to September.<ref name="rf16044" /> All patients will feel pain when stung by this caterpillar, while one in three patients will feel headaches, muscle spasms, breathing difficulties, and convulsions.<ref name="rf16045" />

#*Stinging rose caterpillar: Often found on bushes and low tree branches of redbud, oak, hickory, bayberry, wild cherry and sycamore.<ref name="rf16049" />

#*Saddleback caterpillar: Severe irritation follows a sting from this caterpillar. It is often found on deciduous trees (e.g., chestnut, cherry, oak, basswood, and plum) and sometimes on corn.<ref name="rf16049" />

#*''Euclea delphinii'' caterpillar: This caterpillar is often found on oak, beech, chestnut, willow, pear, bayberry, sour wood, wild cherry and other trees.<ref name="rf16049" />

#*Buck moth caterpillar: Has poisonous spines. Found on oak and willow trees, usually spring to mid-summer.<ref name="rf16049" />

#*Io moth caterpillar: Has poisonous spines. Found on many plants, including corn, roses, willow, linden, elm, oak, locust, apple, beech, ash, currant, and clover, usually spring to mid-summer.<ref name="rf16049" />

#*Hag moth caterpillar: This caterpillar looks like a dried leaf. It is usually found on the lower branches of trees and shrubs, including oak, chestnut, dogwood, sassafras, and ash.<ref name="rf16049" />

#*Spitfire caterpillar (Australia): This caterpillar can shoot a liquid as well as causing contact dermatitis if the hairs get into the skin and break off.<ref name="rf16050">Children, Youth, and Women's Health Services, Bites and Stings, http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=305&id=1813</ref>

*Anti-histaminic drugs are reportedly not helpful with caterpillar stings.<ref name="rf16049" />