Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCauses and SymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
A rash from a caterpillar, also calledlepidopterism, occurs when the tiny hairs on a caterpillar touch the skin and cause a rash.
It’s true that an encounter with a caterpillar isn’t as dangerous as, say, abee stingor atick bitecan be. But caterpillars can cause a red, itchy, swollen, and even painful rash. Treatment for caterpillar rash may include ice packs, antihistamines, steroid cream, and more.
Here’s what to know about how to recognize a rash from a caterpillar, what symptoms you may experience, and how to treat it.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Caterpillar Rash Causes and Symptoms
The fuzzy tufts on caterpillars are what can cause a rash. These tiny hairs are calledsetae. In some people, these hairs cause an allergic reaction when they touch the skin.
This immune response occurs when the body sees a substance as a threat even if it’s not. The immune system will flood the body with a chemical called histamine. Touching a caterpillar can trigger this release of histamine, causing symptoms such as:
These symptoms can appear within minutes and last for one or more days.
Browntail Moth Rash Treatment
Sometimes you can get a rash without actually putting your fingers on a caterpillar. The little tufts can become airborne and land on bare skin. Caterpillars can also leave setae behind on items like trees or playground equipment. This is more likely when there are a lot of caterpillars in one area.
If you touch your eyes or nose after handling a caterpillar (or if a child places one in their mouth), there could be a more serious reaction. Symptoms might include
If you notice any of these symptoms, go to your nearest urgent care center or emergency room.
It is extremely unlikely that caterpillar setae could causeanaphylaxis, a full-body, sometimes life-threatening reaction, but it has been seen occasionally after exposure to certain caterpillars.Seek immediate emergency care with symptoms such as:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoCaterpillar rash.iStock / Getty Images Plus
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Allergic Reactions to Insect Bites and Stings
There are no tests to make a diagnosis, so a healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms.
Rashes from caterpillars can easily be mistaken for something else, and therefore not taken care of properly. In 2011, 23 children in Florida developed rashes from exposure to white-marked tussock moth caterpillars (Orgyia leucostigma).
How to Care For a Caterpillar Rash at Home
If a rash develops after an encounter with a caterpillar, it usually won’t be serious and can be managed at home. If the reaction is mild, you will first need to remove any of the tiny caterpillar hairs on the skin.
To do this, place a strip of tape on the area of the skin with the hairs. The hairs will stick to the tape when you pull it off. This works the way a lint roller does (and you can actually use one of those if you have one). Repeat with fresh pieces of tape until you’ve removed most or all of the caterpillar hairs.
Then, wash the skin with soap and water and use any additional treatment options, such as:
How to Prevent Caterpillar Rash
There are several ways to prevent caterpillar rash, including:
Summary
Rashes from a caterpillar are rarely serious, but they can be painful. If you do get a rash, it should go away quickly once the hairs are removed and you treat it with at-home and over-the-counter remedies. If you have a more serious reaction, call your healthcare provider or go to an urgent care center or emergency room.
When to See a Doctor About a Skin Rash
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rahlenbeck S, Utikal J.The oak processionary moth: a new health hazard?Br J Gen Pract. 2015;65(637):435-6. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X686341Konstat-Korzenny E, Yudovich A, Morgenstern-Kaplan D.Lepidopterism: Case Report and Review of the Literature. Cureus. 2020 Jan 5;12(1):e6567. doi: 10.7759/cureus.6567Dugar B, Sterbank J, Tcheurekdjian H, Hostoffer R.Beware of the caterpillar: anaphylaxis to the spotted tussock moth caterpillar, Lophocampa maculata.Allergy Rhinol (Providence). 2014;5(2):113-5. doi:10.2500/ar.2014.5.0086Allergy and Asthma Network.What is anaphylaxis?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Caterpillar-associated rashes in children — Hillsborough County, Florida 2011.MMWR.2012 Mar 30;61(12);209-11.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rahlenbeck S, Utikal J.The oak processionary moth: a new health hazard?Br J Gen Pract. 2015;65(637):435-6. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X686341Konstat-Korzenny E, Yudovich A, Morgenstern-Kaplan D.Lepidopterism: Case Report and Review of the Literature. Cureus. 2020 Jan 5;12(1):e6567. doi: 10.7759/cureus.6567Dugar B, Sterbank J, Tcheurekdjian H, Hostoffer R.Beware of the caterpillar: anaphylaxis to the spotted tussock moth caterpillar, Lophocampa maculata.Allergy Rhinol (Providence). 2014;5(2):113-5. doi:10.2500/ar.2014.5.0086Allergy and Asthma Network.What is anaphylaxis?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Caterpillar-associated rashes in children — Hillsborough County, Florida 2011.MMWR.2012 Mar 30;61(12);209-11.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Rahlenbeck S, Utikal J.The oak processionary moth: a new health hazard?Br J Gen Pract. 2015;65(637):435-6. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X686341Konstat-Korzenny E, Yudovich A, Morgenstern-Kaplan D.Lepidopterism: Case Report and Review of the Literature. Cureus. 2020 Jan 5;12(1):e6567. doi: 10.7759/cureus.6567Dugar B, Sterbank J, Tcheurekdjian H, Hostoffer R.Beware of the caterpillar: anaphylaxis to the spotted tussock moth caterpillar, Lophocampa maculata.Allergy Rhinol (Providence). 2014;5(2):113-5. doi:10.2500/ar.2014.5.0086Allergy and Asthma Network.What is anaphylaxis?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Caterpillar-associated rashes in children — Hillsborough County, Florida 2011.MMWR.2012 Mar 30;61(12);209-11.
Rahlenbeck S, Utikal J.The oak processionary moth: a new health hazard?Br J Gen Pract. 2015;65(637):435-6. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X686341
Konstat-Korzenny E, Yudovich A, Morgenstern-Kaplan D.Lepidopterism: Case Report and Review of the Literature. Cureus. 2020 Jan 5;12(1):e6567. doi: 10.7759/cureus.6567
Dugar B, Sterbank J, Tcheurekdjian H, Hostoffer R.Beware of the caterpillar: anaphylaxis to the spotted tussock moth caterpillar, Lophocampa maculata.Allergy Rhinol (Providence). 2014;5(2):113-5. doi:10.2500/ar.2014.5.0086
Allergy and Asthma Network.What is anaphylaxis?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Caterpillar-associated rashes in children — Hillsborough County, Florida 2011.MMWR.2012 Mar 30;61(12);209-11.
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