Some of Hurricane Milton's horrors are small and fluffy.
Floridians are warning that a type of harmless-looking caterpillar that actually hides poisonous spines that can cause incredible pain has made a comeback after a storm ripped through the Sunshine State this week. are.
“Please be very careful picking up debris and hand tools in your backyard,” resident Joel Mathis wrote. Click on Orlando after finding a caterpillar on the fence while cleaning up storm debris.
He shared a photo of the caterpillar's deceptive furry appearance and warned others to be on the lookout for the poor creature.
The insects are about an inch long and hard to spot, but their soft fur hides “highly poisonous spines” that, when embedded in the skin, can cause victims a burning rash and severe pain that spreads throughout the body. It is said that it bothers me. of Florida Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
Bri Oteri said that when she was bitten by a caterpillar while leaning against a wooden fence in 2019, she couldn't breathe and was immediately in excruciating pain. The outlet reported at that time.
“It spread to my chest, my entire right arm, my wrist and my shoulder. The pain was excruciating,” Oteri said.
“I cried hysterically in the hospital, begging the doctors and nurses to help me. The morphine didn't even hurt.”
Experts say the venomous caterpillars, which are covered in hair-like bristles and have orange stripes down their backs, are commonly found in Florida's oak and elm trees from fall to spring.
However, this species is not limited to Florida. It can also be found in states from New Jersey to Florida and as far west as Arkansas and Texas.
To treat the pain, experts recommend using cellophane tape to remove the splinter from the skin as soon as possible, ice packs, oral antihistamines and hydrocortisone cream.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Foundation, “These interesting insects and their fascinating larvae may catch your eye as you explore wild Florida, but it's important to pay attention to their surroundings.”
