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Processionary caterpillars are dangerous for humans. They can cause painful rashes. In England, a 4-year-old girl was the victim.
Beware of processionary caterpillars! Although they look harmless, they are dangerous and should not be touched. A mother from England launched the alert on Facebook after an incident with her 4-year-old daughter.
As Donna Fry explains on the social network, the little girl loves animals and insects, and could not resist touching the little caterpillar. "She held it in her hands for a few minutes, and within 10 minutes, her whole body began to itch and her face began to swell. She was unrecognizable ", she says. To support her comments, she posted photos of her daughter's aching face. We can see in particular how swollen her little eyes have been.
"We had to take him to the hospital urgently", continues his mother. Before warning the parents: "The reason I shared my story is that I had no idea that caterpillars could be dangerous! These were processionary caterpillars. " Fortunately, the girl recovered quickly. Witness the other photos revealed by his mother.
But the story could have been much more serious. Processionary caterpillars present a great risk for humans as well as for pets (dogs, cats). Its thousands of small hairs, containing a toxin called thaumétopoéine and released under stress, are very stinging and irritating for the skin. A very painful rash can thus appear, accompanied by severe itching, as indicated on the site Processionary caterpillar control. In the most severe cases, where its hairs have entered the nostrils or the eyes, they can cause eye and respiratory problems.
In France, we are more concerned with the pine processionary caterpillar. They are nestled in this thorn tree, which is most often found in the mountains or in the south of the country. Be careful, if you see one (or more), be careful not to crush it or sweep it away. You risk creating a cloud of stinging hairs. For your safety, it is best to call a professional to get rid of it. In case of contact, take a warm shower and wash your hair well. Change your clothes and wash the others at 60 °. See an emergency doctor if you have more severe symptoms.
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