We live in the subtropics and lot of plants where we live have hairs that stick like this. You can try gently scraping away from the skin to see if you can remove many of the hairs without breaking them off. Depending on the plant or the person, you may end up with a bit of contact dermatitis in the days that come.
imperfcet
It could be a stinging caterpiller, like the asp caterpillar. Does it hurt badly? I think is possible to remove the hairs with tape.
Explorer2004
If there’s no rash coming on, you can coat the area in Elmer’s School Glue, wait for it to dry, and then peel it off to remove the spines. Used to do this a lot when I had the potted prickly pear cactus!
ohdearitsrichardiii
Pour glue on them. Peel off when hardened and the needles will come out. Don’t use tape, you risk breaking them
thesoggydingo
Okay he’s very young so be careful of my advice…
But a common way of getting cactus spines out is just using hot wax and ripping the spines right off
HowardDopamine
My guess is creeping thistle / Canada thistle. My kid stepped on some this summer with an identical result
SpecificSkunk
Do you have any maples or type of tree around with “helicopter” seeds? I.e. a seed with a large fin on the side of it.
When I was a kid I used to play with them until I realized the seed is covered in very fine hairs when it’s fresh. My hands got COVERED in them and it felt like a million tiny splinters.
MiniMeowl
Uh oh, he’s gonna in for an itchy time.
FamiliarRadio9275
Go to the doctor
Superb-Tumbleweed652
Stinging nettles?
Emgeetoo
Old bush remedy was to damp the area with methylated spirits or brandy and set fire to it. Burns for a second or two, doesn’t hurt (apart from shock 😝) and eradicates the needles. Saw it used a couple times, and my scepticism disappeared.
Drearydreamy
This def looks like a squished caterpillar, given you can see it on the other side. Put on gloves and a plastic bag for the garbage. Grab a roll of whatever tape you have and use it to start to remove the hairs. Don’t reuse the tape, one pass, throw out and repeat. Wash after and apply calamine or aloe gel or at least an ice pack. Keep and eye on him and the site for any further reaction.
SnooKiwis6943
Id remove the hairs with a lint roller. Much more gentle than tape. I have done this with fiberglass and it works great!
16 Comments
Could it be stinging nettles?
Could it be a stinging caterpillar? Does it hurt?
We live in the subtropics and lot of plants where we live have hairs that stick like this. You can try gently scraping away from the skin to see if you can remove many of the hairs without breaking them off. Depending on the plant or the person, you may end up with a bit of contact dermatitis in the days that come.
It could be a stinging caterpiller, like the asp caterpillar. Does it hurt badly? I think is possible to remove the hairs with tape.
If there’s no rash coming on, you can coat the area in Elmer’s School Glue, wait for it to dry, and then peel it off to remove the spines. Used to do this a lot when I had the potted prickly pear cactus!
Pour glue on them. Peel off when hardened and the needles will come out. Don’t use tape, you risk breaking them
Okay he’s very young so be careful of my advice…
But a common way of getting cactus spines out is just using hot wax and ripping the spines right off
My guess is creeping thistle / Canada thistle. My kid stepped on some this summer with an identical result
Do you have any maples or type of tree around with “helicopter” seeds? I.e. a seed with a large fin on the side of it.
When I was a kid I used to play with them until I realized the seed is covered in very fine hairs when it’s fresh. My hands got COVERED in them and it felt like a million tiny splinters.
Uh oh, he’s gonna in for an itchy time.
Go to the doctor
Stinging nettles?
Old bush remedy was to damp the area with methylated spirits or brandy and set fire to it. Burns for a second or two, doesn’t hurt (apart from shock 😝) and eradicates the needles. Saw it used a couple times, and my scepticism disappeared.
This def looks like a squished caterpillar, given you can see it on the other side. Put on gloves and a plastic bag for the garbage. Grab a roll of whatever tape you have and use it to start to remove the hairs. Don’t reuse the tape, one pass, throw out and repeat. Wash after and apply calamine or aloe gel or at least an ice pack. Keep and eye on him and the site for any further reaction.
Id remove the hairs with a lint roller. Much more gentle than tape. I have done this with fiberglass and it works great!
Duct tape