Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Cleaning the site of the sting
• Part 2 of 3: Handling complaints
• Part 3 of 3: Getting more help
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

While caterpillars are cute and fun to watch, they can also sting. A caterpillar's sting can cause mild symptoms or trigger a dangerous allergic reaction. To treat a caterpillar sting, you should clean the site of the sting, treat the symptoms, and see a medical professional if the symptoms become more severe. This ultimately ensures that you recover better from a caterpillar's sting.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Cleaning the site of the sting

1. Remove the caterpillar without touching it. If the caterpillar is still on your skin, you'll need to remove the bug first. Do this without using your hands. Use forceps, tweezers, or thick gloves to remove the bead. This is important, as you can be stung again if you try to remove the caterpillar with your fingers.
   • In addition, you should use tweezers to remove a stinger if you see it.
2. Place tape over the area of ​​the stitch and then remove it. Use masking tape, duct tape, or something similar and place it over the area of ​​the stitch. Then quickly peel off the tape. The band will pick up any poisonous hairs or spines left on your skin. This is important in limiting the complaints and preventing extra stitches.
   • You can do this several times to make sure you have removed all of the hair and spines.
   • You can also use the adhesive part of a band-aid to remove hair or spines.
3. Wash the area clean. Use warm water and soap to wash the area thoroughly. In addition, was also the rest of the area around the place. Finally, make sure your hands are thoroughly washed in case they come into contact with poison or spines.

Part 2 of 3: Handling complaints

1. Use a paste of baking soda and water. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with one or two tablespoons of warm water. Then spread the paste generously on the area and let it sit for a few minutes. This paste should reduce itching and other discomfort. Apply it again every few hours.
2. Use a hydrocortisone cream. If the baking soda has not worked in relieving your symptoms, rinse the paste off and then apply a generous amount of hydrocortisone cream. Leave the cream on. It may take up to an hour for it to work soothingly on the site of the sting. Apply the cream according to the instructions on the product.
3. Try an antihistamine. If hydrocortisone cream doesn't work either, rinse your skin and then apply a generous amount of antihistamine cream. Wait half an hour to see if you notice a difference. In many cases, antihistamine creams have not been shown to be effective in soothing the symptoms of a caterpillar sting. In your case, however, the cream may work.
4. Apply a cold compress. After applying baking soda or cream, you can apply a cold compress to the area. Place a bag of ice, frozen meat or vegetables on the site of the cutting for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Reapply cold compress after 1-2 hours each time.

Part 3 of 3: Getting more help

1. Contact your doctor if you develop severe blisters. If your symptoms worsen or your blisters are severe, you should contact a doctor immediately. This is important, as some people can have potentially deadly allergic reactions after a caterpillar sting.
2. Ask for a tetanus shot. If you haven't had a tetanus shot in the past 5-10 years, it's important to get one within 72 hours of a caterpillar sting. This is because the site of the stitch / wound is susceptible to bacteria and infections.
3. Call the doctor for more information. Contact your doctor if you have any questions about treating a caterpillar sting. The assistant will answer the phone and provide you with recommendations on how to handle the sting.
4. Learn more about the different complaints. Caterpillar stings can lead to all kinds of complaints. Depending on the type of caterpillar and whether you are allergic, the complaints can be mild or very serious. Known complaints are:
   • Itching and contact dermatitis, blisters, welts, small red bumps and pain.
   • Acute conjunctivitis, if the hairs have gotten into the eyes.
   • Rashes and hives.
   • Breathing problems.
   • Nausea and vomiting.
   • Bleeding and renal failure after contact with the South American Lonomiacaterpillar.

Tips

• Do not touch brightly colored or hairy caterpillars.
• Try not to scratch the wound.
• Notice where you have been stung and keep pets and children away. If the number of caterpillars appears unusually high, notify the officers on duty.
• Unless you are a trained professional, keeping wild animals as pets is unwise. If you want to breed caterpillars for the butterflies or moths, there are special websites and catalogs from which you can order eggs and equipment.

Warnings

• Never let pets or children play with unfamiliar creatures, even something as small as a caterpillar. Especially teach children to avoid the brightly colored and spiky caterpillars - flashy colors and tips are often nature's code for poisons.
• Even caterpillars that don't sting can harm your garden. Look for white, spiderweb-like caterpillar nests in trees; the caterpillars of the bag carrier and mop are parasites and can kill trees.

Necessities

• Tape (duct tape, masking tape, cellophane tape) or a commercial facial peel
• Baking soda paste (sodium bicarbonate) and water
• Ice-pack or frozen food (anything that is good cold will do)
• Clean water and soap
• Painkiller
• A cold compress
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Antihistamine cream