Stinging Caterpillar and Other Stinging Insects

[Tommy T.]

I thought there might be some interest and experiences in this topic...

Just a word of caution for those, like us, who like to work with plants outdoors...

Yesterday, L was messing around with a small palm-related plant and then called out that she was stung and experiencing strong pain. She pointed out the insect which I later identified using Kuya G's awesome resources. It is known as a "stinging slug caterpillar," among other monikers and this one was on a leaf L brushed up against. It caused instant pain. It took a while to identify it from photos, and then I read up on it to see how to treat it.

There are many articles online about it and other stinging insects, so I will paraphrase the basic treatment:

Do not touch any other body parts or clothing with the affected area.

Take adhesive (we only had Scotch) tape and apply to the area and remove straight away. This removes many, if not all, of the stinging "hairs" from the skin.

Wash the skin with soap and water.

Observe for allergic reaction and treat with Benedryl or whatever you might have.

You can also apply otc ointments such as hydro-cortizones or other topical meds for rashes.

L did not have a bad reaction, but the area turned a bit pink and swollen, along with the pain. It started to subside slowly over time.

I have been stung by wasps twice here in the PI and they really hurt! I used a knife to scrape and remove the stinger in one case and it improved fairly quickly, but still hurt and was a bit swollen two days later. They are not aggressive, however I stepped on one when walking barefoot at night and another somehow climbed up the cuff of a glove.

[Snowy79]

I find 90% plus alcohol on any bites or stings pretty much clears any rashes etc up within a few minutes. There's a lot of what I can only describe as hairy catepillars where I live that have a reputation for stinging 

[Freebie]

no experience of those.. but did once in error sit near to a nest of red ants... My goodness... those tiny buggers really pack a punch.. how can something so small create so much pain ???  Be aware and be wary !

[Jollygoodfellow]

13 hours ago, Snowy79 said:

I find 90% plus alcohol on any bites or stings pretty much clears any rashes etc up within a few minutes.

Is that 90% rub on and 10% consumed? 

[Tommy T.]

19 hours ago, Snowy79 said:

I find 90% plus alcohol on any bites or stings pretty much clears any rashes etc up within a few minutes. There's a lot of what I can only describe as hairy catepillars where I live that have a reputation for stinging 

I never tried that. And I don't have 90 % alcohol here. Can that be purchased in PI?

5 hours ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

Is that 90% rub on and 10% consumed? 

My go to fix for mozzie bites and ant and other stings is ammonia applied topically, Tanduay applied internally.

It would be interesting to even try the 70% sanitizing alcohol to rashes and see what happens? 

[jimeve]

3 hours ago, Tommy T. said:

I never tried that. And I don't have 90 % alcohol here. Can that be purchased in PI?

My go to fix for mozzie bites and ant and other stings is ammonia applied topically, Tanduay applied internally.

It would be interesting to even try the 70% sanitizing alcohol to rashes and see what happens? 

Apple cider vinegar is supposed to stop the itchiness, used externally. You could drink a little if you wanted but I preface Tanduay.

[Snowy79]

3 hours ago, Tommy T. said:

I never tried that. And I don't have 90 % alcohol here. Can that be purchased in PI?

My go to fix for mozzie bites and ant and other stings is ammonia applied topically, Tanduay applied internally.

It would be interesting to even try the 70% sanitizing alcohol to rashes and see what happens? 

I found it online. Being Scottish I also discovered that it is way cheaper than any chemical cockroach spray killer out there.  I've wasted so much Bygone etc spraying cockroaches and watching them run off laughing but a little spray from 90% plus alcohol and they die almost instantly. 

[OnMyWay]

On 5/20/2021 at 10:51 AM, Freebie said:

no experience of those.. but did once in error sit near to a nest of red ants... My goodness... those tiny buggers really pack a punch.. how can something so small create so much pain ???  Be aware and be wary !

I'm a bit allergic to those little red ones.  After I get bit it stings but later a blister forms and then a scab.  When I first arrived here we were at a food stand and I was standing on a mound of them and got 10 or so bites.  Last Sunday two got me at our cabana at a pool resort.

[Freebie]

I dont know what works for red ants ( other than jumping around shouting and swearing  ) but for everyother bite here a liberal application of Tiger balm seems to take all redness away and all the itchiness..... at least it does for me.

 

Some other good remedies posted here.

[OnMyWay]

This is the one that lived in my bushes in Florida.  Found him the hard way and paid the price!