I saw something strange on the floor at home and wanted to touch it, but suddenly it started to move: I was horrified when I realized that it

 

Later I learned it was a saddle-necked caterpillar. And that I was incredibly lucky: if I had picked it up, as I had intended to do in the first few seconds, things could have ended very badly.

Its spines contain venom that is injected into the skin at the slightest touch. Those affected experience stinging pain, redness, swelling, blistering, and sometimes even dizziness, nausea, and numbness.

Many people have to go to the hospital after contact because the pain is so intense it’s unbearable. I sat there reading all this, and a shiver ran down my spine.

Just one wrong move, and I would have been lying there with a swollen hand.

What should I do if I accidentally touch it?

First, carefully remove the spines with tape. Then wash with soap and water, apply ice, and if you have a severe reaction, take an antihistamine and see a doctor.

I carefully swept the caterpillar into a glass with a broom and took it far away into the garden. It’s allowed to live, but not in my house.

Since then, I think twice before touching anything that seems strange to me when I see it on the ground.

See continued on the next page.