Take a Look at The White Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar: If You See This Caterpillar, Do Not Touch

There's a dangerous bug making its way across the border and it's causing widespread fear among residents and parents. The White Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar masks itself in an adorable black and white ball of fluff - but looks are definitely deceiving when it comes to these insects.

As soon as a human touches the fine hairs on the caterpillar, a horribly uncomfortable rash will appear almost instantaneously. That's because the black "spine" of the bug is packed full of venom that especially affects human skin.

Since this bug's natural home is in Canada, Dr. Joseph Betz told WPXI News that the cases are puzzling medical professionals up and down the Eastern Seaboard.

"There have been many reported cases. None of them fatal, but all strange, new and concerning."

Even Dr. Betz's son had a dangerous encounter with the fluffy caterpillar. Within minutes of picking it up, the toddler was covered in the painful, telltale rash!

Fortunately, there is some good news through all of the terror and medical problems. The White Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar will soon be forming its cocoon and that means you and your children will be out of harm's way. If you do happen to be affected by the bug before then, a combination of lotion and ice will generally help the rash heal and will take away the discomfort.

Learn even more about this dangerous critter here:





FOLLOW US!

4-Year-Old Boy Bitten by a Rattlesnake: Pregnant Mom Sucks Venom from His Foot

A very pregnant Northern California mom is getting attention for her quick instincts after her 4-year-old son was bitten by a rattlesnake. But state wildlife officials say what she did was dangerous.

Jaclyn Caramazza and her family were walking on a bike trail in Folsom over the weekend when her son Vinny stepped on a baby rattlesnake, KTXL-TV reported. The snake quickly coiled up.

Minutes later, Vinny’s foot turned purple and began to swell. Caramazza removed her son’s shoes and found two puncture marks.

Nine months pregnant, this mother sprang into action.

“Mama Bear instinct in me decided to suck the venom because that’s what Bonanza does,” she told KTXL.

Vinny was taken to an area hospital and is doing well.

But trying to suck out venom with your mouth is a bad idea, state wildlife officials say.

"That's an absolute 'do not do,'" said Warden Chris Stoots of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, because of the risk for the person sucking out the poison of becoming ill.

There are venom-suction devices that help remove the poison, Stoots said, but few people carry them when hiking.

According to Fish and Wildlife, if possible, a rattlesnake bite should be washed gently with soap and water. Rinsing with water alone also will do.

The bite victim should be kept calm and rushed to the hospital and the wound site should be kept below heart level.

Most snake bites occur when people accidently step on or try to touch a snake, Stoots said.

Attempt to move or kill a snake, Stoots said, and in most cases "you'll lose."

FOLLOW US!

Eleven Members of Brazilian Family Seriously Ill After Unintentionally Eating World's Most Venomous Fish for Dinner

Eleven members of the same Brazilian family are in a critical condition in hospital after unwittingly cooking up the world's deadliest fish for their supper, it was reported today.

The pufferfish was caught by members of the Souza family while fishing near Duque de Caxias and contained a toxin 1,200 times more lethal than cyanide - a drop of which can kill within 24 hours.

The poison paralyses the muscles while the victim remains fully conscious, eventually dying of asphyxiation when the venom reaches the diaphragm.

To read more on this story, click here: Eleven Members of Brazilian Family Seriously Ill After Unintentionally Eating World's Most Venomous Fish for Dinner

FOLLOW US!