Questions about health
When can I get symptoms of the oak processionary caterpillar?
From mid-May through June, the caterpillars develop the fire hairs that are a nuisance to humans and (domestic) animals. The fire hairs are there well into August. Be aware of this and try to avoid places with (old) nests as much as possible.
How do I prevent symptoms caused by fire hairs?
Especially on days with (high) winds, try to stay away from trees with nests. By the way, some people are more sensitive to caterpillar hairs than others.
Overall:
- Do not sit under or near an infected tree.
- Cover neck, arms and legs when going to an area where oak processionary caterpillars are present.
- Do not touch caterpillars, (old) fire hairs, spider nests and molting skins.
- Explain to children why they should not touch processionary caterpillars.
What kind of symptoms do the fire hairs cause?
The fire hairs of the oak processionary caterpillar are so small that you cannot see them. They easily penetrate the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. This causes symptoms such as:
- itch
- Bumps or blisters on the skin
- red skin
- red, thick and sometimes inflamed eyes
Sometimes the symptoms look like a cold:
- a runny nose
- tickling in the throat and coughing
- difficulty swallowing
- shortness of breath
Some people react strongly to the stinging hairs and suffer:
- vomit
- dizziness
- fever
- an overall miserable feeling
How bad the reaction is is different for everyone. Do you come into contact with fire hairs more often? Then you may have a more severe reaction. Usually the symptoms go away on their own within a few days or weeks.
What is the best thing to do if I have been in contact with the fire hairs?
- Carefully remove clothing containing burning hairs and strip the skin with tape as soon as possible.
- Then rinse the skin and eyes with lukewarm water. Try not to scratch or rub.
What is the best thing to do about itching?
Lubricating ointments can help. Ointments with menthol, aloe vera or calendula work especially well. If you suffer badly, see your doctor.
What is the best thing to do if fire hairs are in my clothing?
The fire hairs have barbs that cause them to get stuck in clothing. Remove fire hairs by washing your clothing. Do this as soon as possible to prevent the fire hairs from getting into other clothing.
To break down the proteins in the fire hairs, a temperature of 60°C is required. Can't wash your clothes at this temperature? Then wash at a lower temperature and check if you experience symptoms again after wearing these clothes.
Can (domestic) animals also be affected by the fire hairs?
Animals can also be affected by the oak processionary caterpillar's fire hairs.
What happens if my pet comes in contact with the stinging hairs?
Animals often ingest large numbers of stinging hairs. They may experience swelling of the tongue and lips, inflammation of the oral mucosa, on the eyes and they may have breathing problems. The animals may start salivating and tearing. Dogs may develop swallowing problems and start gagging and vomiting. Damage in the mouth can be severe; in rare cases, part of the tongue dies. Complaints of the skin are rare because animals have fur.
What is the best thing to do if my pet has symptoms?
If the animal has the symptoms mentioned, see the veterinarian quickly. Treatment counteracts swelling, pain and vomiting. If there are burning hairs in the mouth, it should be rinsed extensively with water. Treatment takes several days and it sometimes takes a few weeks for all symptoms to disappear.
How do I prevent my animals from coming in contact with the stinging hairs?
- Avoid oak processionary caterpillar warning areas
- Avoid pet contact with the caterpillars and their remains, such as with released stinging hairs and empty nests.
- After contact with the caterpillars or stinging hairs, do not scratch or rub the animal. Wash or rinse the mouth, skin or eyes well with water. If the animal shows allergic symptoms, always contact the veterinarian.
- Do not allow horses and other farm animals to graze under or near (within 100 meters) oak trees with nests. Have nests removed by a professional.
- Do not process grass under or near (within 100 meters) oak trees with nests into hay. This will prevent animals from eating the fire hairs through the hay.