What Happens If You’re Stung by a Puss Caterpillar?
It may look soft and harmless, but the puss caterpillar is one of the most venomous caterpillars in the United States. Beneath its fluffy, cat-like hair are toxic spines that can embed in the skin and cause intense pain that may last for days or even weeks.
If you’re stung, it’s important to remove the spines as quickly as possible. Using tape to gently lift them from the skin can help. Antihistamines and hydrocortisone cream may also provide relief.
If you or someone you know has been stung, call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for fast, free, and confidential advice on what to do next.
🐛 Want to learn more about the puss caterpillar? Check out our detailed poisonous caterpillars blog here!
Transcript with visual descriptions
Visual: Person 1 is watching tv in his dining room. The TV shows an image of the puss caterpillar.
Person 1: What an unfortunately named caterpillar.
Visual: A random guy appears.
Person 2: Hey! Who are you to judge that caterpillar’s name?
Person 1: How did you get into my house?
Person 2: That caterpillar’s parents thought it was a good name.
Person 1: No, don’t sit down.
Person 2: You did know it’s one of the most venomous caterpillars in the US, right?
Person 1: That caterpillar? Oh.
Person 2: Yeah, it’s got all this hair that makes it look like a cat that hates Mondays, right?
But inside that hair it’s got these toxic spines that stick you and sting you, and can cause incredible
pain throughout your body that can last for weeks!
Person 1: What?
Person 2: Yeah you kinda wanna get the spines out of you as quickly as possible using tape.
Oral antihistamines, and hydrocortisone cream can help too.
Person 1: How is this caterpillar legal??
Person 2: When it’s not low-key trying to take you out, it metamorphizes into the glorious
Southern Flannel Moth.
Person 1: Oh see now that’s actually a pretty cool name. Totally sounds like it should frequent country bars
and go line dancing.
Visual: Missouri Poison Center motion graphic with phone number and text that says “There’s always a poison specialist that’s ready to help!”
AVO: If you or someone you know has been stung by a Puss Caterpillar, call the Missouri Poison
Center right away for confidential expert advice on what to do next.
Visual: Guys talking again.
Person 1: Wait no, we’re not just gonna sit here and talk, get out of my house!
Person 2: All right I’m going.
Person 1: GO!
Person 2: Said i’m going, i’m going. Don’t call the cops!
