When attacked by the Paederus beetle, it is essential to remain calm in order to handle the situation properly; otherwise, the bites can swell, burn, and become infected.
Who is Affected by Contact Dermatitis from the Paederus Beetle?
This condition can affect anyone. Reports of outbreaks have been documented in military units, hospitals, dormitories, residential areas, and apartments, occasionally affecting one or more members of a household.
The Paederus genus consists of over 600 species distributed across almost all continents. They have previously caused contact dermatitis outbreaks in various regions, including Turkey, South America, India, Okinawa, and Vietnam. This type of insect has a slender body measuring between 0.5 to 1.5 cm, with a shiny black head and thorax, and an orange-red abdomen.
Paederus beetles can be found in decaying plant and animal matter in most environments worldwide. They are more common in areas with hot, humid climates and heavy rainfall. The reproductive period for Paederus is during the rainy season from July to October each year.
Guidelines for Treating Wounds Caused by the Paederus Beetle
In light of this situation, Dr. Nguyen Van Khai (affectionately known as “The Ozone Man”) has shared valuable advice on prevention and initial treatment after being attacked by the Paederus beetle, especially for young children.
Dr. Khai advises that if you see Paederus beetles in your home or next door, use a ceramic bowl or plastic container to hold anolyt disinfectant water (a type of water made from distilled water and pure salt) and place it in various locations throughout the rooms. Then, use a small spray pump to spray the disinfectant onto walls, corners, and floors, ensuring that the Paederus beetles will leave.
If you have already been bitten by a Paederus beetle, Dr. Khai recommends using disinfectant water mixed with hot water in a ratio of 1:3 so that the mixture is around 40-45oC.
Use a clean white towel to soak in this mixture and apply it to the affected skin for a few minutes. As the water cools, add more hot water and continue to apply for about 10 minutes.
Note: Do not repeat this process more than three times a day.
How to Prevent Paederus Beetle Bites
In addition to the above methods, residents can also prevent Paederus beetles by sealing doors to keep them out of the house. Families should draw curtains to block light that attracts Paederus beetles and also install insect screens on windows and ventilation openings.
Importantly, during the evening, avoid using neon lights and do not sit near sources of light such as lamps. When coming into contact with Paederus beetles, individuals should wear gloves or use soft paper as a barrier to avoid direct contact.
How to Distinguish Between Paederus Beetle Bites and Shingles
Many people confuse skin diseases such as shingles with lesions caused by Paederus beetles. According to doctors, shingles typically has warning signs like pain along the nerves on one side of the body, where the skin is about to develop lesions. The lesions are primarily small, depressed blisters that cluster on one side of the body, commonly occurring in the intercostal area and usually accompanied by swollen lymph nodes.
In contrast, lesions caused by Paederus beetles typically appear suddenly after waking up in the morning, on exposed areas such as the neck, face, arms, and legs. They may also occur on other areas of skin but are less common, usually presenting as one or two lesions, inflamed and red like scratches, with a tendency to form long streaks.
Patients may experience burning sensations, mild swelling, and minimal itching, accompanied by numerous small yellowish spots resembling pustules. In the folds of the skin, lesions may appear on both sides of the face. If treated properly, the lesions will dry up in about 5 to 7 days; otherwise, they may become infected or spread, leading to an outbreak.
What Medication Should Be Applied to Speed Up Healing from Paederus Beetle Bites?
Those bitten by Paederus beetles should apply zinc oxide to alleviate symptoms caused by the toxin pederin.
Upon discovering a Paederus beetle bite in its early stage, the victim should wash the wound immediately with soap and clean water continuously.
In addition to on-site treatment for Paederus beetle bites, patients should consistently apply mild antiseptic medications such as zinc oxide or anti-inflammatory ointments with antibiotics twice daily. If the wound does not improve after a few days, the patient should seek medical attention. Self-medicating with folk remedies is not advisable as it may lead to infections and worsen symptoms.
If the wound has spread to a large area of skin or if the condition is severe or infected, it is best for the patient to visit a medical facility for treatment.
Patients should go to medical facilities if the wound spreads, becomes infected, or exhibits severe symptoms.
