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Asked by: Oana Pignatelli
hobbies and interests beekeepingWhat do you do if you get stung by a saddleback caterpillar?
Simply so, what do you do when you get stung by a saddleback caterpillar?
Washing the affected skin area thoroughly with soap and water may help remove irritating venom. Prompt application of an ice pack and a baking soda poultice should help reduce pain and swelling. Household analgesics, such as aspirin, appear to be ineffective for reducing pain and headache.
Similarly, how long does a caterpillar sting last?
There may also be a burning or stinging sensation. See the photo below for an example of what symptoms of a rash caused by a caterpillar may look like on a human arm. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. These symptoms can appear within minutes and last for one or more days.
Caterpillars of many species can cause irritation by their hollow body hairs that envenom or detach easily, or can be poisonous if ingested; however, prior to investigations into Lonomia caterpillars, it was not known that caterpillars could produce toxins which in sufficient quantities could kill a human being.