Fact Checked
Caterpillar sting causes minor symptoms or a dangerous allergic reaction. Generally, caterpillars are the adolescent forms of butterflies and moths. They have stinging fibers and hairs, which is a form of protections against predators. Sometimes, these fibers have toxins that penetrate the skin when they are released and result to pain, itching and contact dermatitis.
Symptoms of a caterpillar sting
- At first, itchiness and contact dermatitis, weals and blisters, small red bumps and pain.
- Rashes and hives
- If the hairs penetrate eyes it will result to acute conjunctivitis
- Difficulties with breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Renal failure and bleeding after direct contact with South American lonomia caterpillar.
- Headache
- Bronchospasms
Itchiness and contact dermatitis, weals and blisters, small red bumps and pain. - Lastly, result to forms of arthritis such as polyarthritis and chronic osteoarthritis
Treatment
- Let the affected person calm down. Avoid moving around to prevent spreading of venom to other areas of the body.
- If the caterpillar is on the skin, avoid touching it. Remove it using a tweezers or pliers. Another way is using thick gloves in picking up the caterpillar. Avoid picking it with bare hands, to prevent further irritations and worsen the condition.
- Use scotch tape or a duct tape and place it over the stinged area and then quickly remove it to catch any poison hairs or spines still present in the skin. This process lessens the symptoms and prevents further stings.
- Wash the area using warm water and soap properly. And wash hands properly if accidentally made a direct contact with the stingers or poison. Remove all clothing that are contaminated and wash them using hot water.
- Make a paste by mixing 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1-2 tablespoons of warm water. Mix them until it becomes the consistency of a paste and then apply it to the stinged area and let it remain in the area for a couple of minutes to lessen the itchiness and the pain. The paste can be reapplied every 2 hours.
- Apply cold compress on the area after applying the baking soda paste. Or another alternative is placing the cold compress directly on the affected area. Cold compress can be in the form of a bag of ice or frozen vegetables such peas or corn and placed in the area for at least 10-20 minutes at a time. Reapply again the cold compress every two hours for 15-20 minutes. Another alternative is using wet cloth is also good for the condition.
- Elevate the affected area to lessen the swelling.
- Use the prescribed hydrocortisone cream to lessen the itchiness and the pain.
Additional measures
- Cut a fresh aloe Vera leaf and then apply the sap over the affected area and let it remain in the area for at least an hour and then rinse it using cold water. Aloe Vera gel lessens the pain and the itching due to caterpillar sting.
- Get a tetanus vaccination within 72 hours after stung by a caterpillar to prevent the wound or the sting becoming a high risk of being infected by bacteria and infections.
Disclaimer / More Information
The material posted on this page on a caterpillar sting is for learning purposes only. Learn to recognize the signs and how it is managed by taking a first aid and CPR class with one of our training providers.
FACT CHECK
https://animals.mom.me/caterpillar-stings-you-10510.html
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Caterpillar-Sting
https://www.verywellhealth.com/rashes-from-caterpillars-3969706