Oak processionary moth: dermatitis and allergy
Christiane Fux studied journalism and psychology in Hamburg. The experienced medical editor has been writing magazine articles, news and factual texts on all conceivable health topics since 2001. In addition to her work for, Christiane Fux is also active in prose. Her first crime novel was published in 2012, and she also writes, designs and publishes her own crime plays.
More posts by Christiane Fux All content is checked by medical journalists.The oak processionary moth is a species of butterfly. Its caterpillars are covered with fine poison hairs that cause severe skin irritation with burning, itching and wheals. Doctors also speak of caterpillar dermatitis. When inhaled, the poison hairs cause breathing difficulties. Some people are also allergic to the toxins. Read here how you can prevent the unpleasant consequences of an encounter with the caterpillars and what you can do if it does hit you.
description
The warmth-loving oak processionary moth (Thaumetopoea processionea) has been on the rise in Europe for several years. The reason for this are rising temperatures, especially the lack of night frosts. In this country, the moths now occur en masse in the northeast and southwest as well as in parts of North Rhine-Westphalia.
The fine stinging hairs of the caterpillars, which are filled with the nettle poison thaumetopein, which trigger violent reactions in the skin and respiratory tract, among other things, are problematic for humans. The stinging hairs break off easily and also hang in masses in the animals' nests. Since they are also distributed with the wind, direct contact with the caterpillars or their nests is not necessary in order to get the fine hairs onto your own skin or into the airways, where they stick with their barbs.
risk groups
The poison hairs of the oak processionary moth caterpillars catch the following risk groups particularly often:
- playing children
- Walkers in the forest and at the edges of the forest
- Users of leisure facilities in the countryside (campsites, swimming pools, etc.)
- Residents of affected forest areas or of properties with oak trees
- Forest workers, landscape maintenance workers and road maintenance workers in infested areas
- Stove and fireplace owners handling firewood
Symptoms
Upon contact with the oak processionary moth, skin symptoms occur wherever the body was not covered by clothing, such as the neck, face and bare extremities. Tender areas of skin on the face, neck and inside of the elbows are particularly affected.
Contact reactions
Contact with the poison of the stinging hair causes severe symptoms that, if left untreated, last for several days, but can also last for weeks. These often include skin reactions such as:
- severe itching (pruritus)
- Wheal formation (urticaria)
- insect bite-like nodule formation (papule formation)
Other possible symptoms are:
- Irritation and inflammation of the airways with swelling and coughing up to shortness of breath and asthma attacks
- Eye irritation, conjunctivitis, often with severely swollen eyelids
- Irritation of the mouth and throat
General symptoms of illness such as:
- dizziness
- fatigue
- fever
Allergic reaction
Some people are also allergic to the poison of the oak processionary moth. The reactions can be very different and occur all over the body. Cases of allergic asthma are also possible. With every further contact with the stinging hair of the oak processionary moth, the reactions are more violent. In severe cases, life-threatening allergic shock (anaphylactic shock) is also conceivable.
Risk period
The caterpillars of the oak processionary moth hatch in early May. They live in groups and gather in nests made of loosely woven leaves and twigs. From there, as if in a procession of 10 meters in length and more, they search for food in the treetops.
From the third larval stage onwards, the caterpillars grow their poisonous stinging hairs. From then on until the caterpillars pupate at the end of June / beginning of July, the health risk for humans is greatest. However, the stinging hairs in the web nests can cause irritation even after years. Corresponding symptoms can therefore also occur outside of the caterpillar season.
diagnosis
The diagnosis of caterpillar dermatitis or allergy by the oak processionary moth is not easy, because the corresponding symptoms can also have other triggers. Contact or allergic reactions to completely different substances or photodermatosis (sun allergy) are possible.
Direct evidence of contact with the poison is not possible. It is therefore important to point out possible contact with the oak processionary moth or its webs when talking to the doctor.
Often, however, those affected are not even aware that they may have had contact with the poison of the caterpillars. Then the diagnosis is particularly difficult.
treatment
If you have had contact with caterpillars of oak processionary moths or their webs, the following first measures will help to minimize possible consequences:
- Change your clothes as soon as possible, preferably outdoors.
- Clean your shoes with a damp cloth.
- Take a good shower and wash your hair.
- Rinse your eyes with clean water.
- Clean contaminated objects (e.g. washing and vacuuming cars).
- See a doctor if you have any skin reactions.
- If you are short of breath, call the emergency services immediately!
Medication
- The doctor can treat symptoms of the skin and mucous membranes with cortisone preparations.
- Antihistamines help against severe itching.
- Cortisone sprays and sprays with bronchodilating agents (beta sympathomimetics) are effective for breathing problems.
- In the case of more severe courses, cortisone therapy with oral tablets may be necessary.
Inpatient treatment after a reaction to the oak processionary moth is rarely necessary.
prevention
The following precautionary measures should be observed when handling the oak processionary moth:
- Don't touch it! Do not touch the caterpillars or their webs.
- Keep your distance! Basically, you should avoid areas that are infested with the oak processionary moth.
- Change clothes and shower immediately after contact with caterpillar hair.
- Refrain from logging and tree care as long as caterpillar nests are visible.
- Leave the control of the oak processionary caterpillars and their nests to professionals.
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