7-5.
DERMATITIS
Dermatitis can be a problem not with mortality but instead as a real nuisance that
can be very unpleasant. Dermatitis is an inflammation or irritation of the dermal tissues
(skin). Some arthropods can emit chemicals through their exoskeleton that, upon
contact with our skin, can cause blisters. The most common one is the blister beetle.
The irritation is actually a chemical burn that may take a week to two weeks to heal.
Caterpillars may have spines or fine hairs that are attached to glands that produce
chemicals to irritate their attackers. When touching them, the hairs and spines puncture
the skin and inject the poison. Usually they cause pain, redness, and itching that may
last for a few hours or a few days.
7-6.
FEAR OF ARTHROPODS
When people have an unreasoning fear of arthropods, it is called entomophotia.
Some people will hurt themselves trying to get away from insects. Probably the best
way to overcome this fear is by education. Once people learn what problems are
associated with these arthropods and what we can do to combat them, then they can
start to become less afraid of them.
7-7.
ARTHROPODS AFFECT SENSE ORGANS
Sometimes arthropods can cause accidental injury to us especially to our sense
organs, that is., eyes and ears. Even when very small arthropods strike us in the eyes,
it hurts. Depending on the size of the arthropods and speed that they are flying, they
may cause blindness. When they crawl into your ears, they may have difficulty in
backing out so they keep going forward and deeper and may cause temporary hearing
loss or permanent ear damage. Protective measures such as goggles and earplugs will
stop arthropods from damaging those organs.
7-8.
MYIASIS
Myiasis is a condition which maggots (fly larvae) infest a living organism. Some
larvae can actually be beneficial. In an infected wound, maggots may eat only dead
and decaying tissue. This would be beneficial. It would help control massive infections
or gangrene by the larvae eating the decaying tissues. The larvae that might be non-
beneficial would be the ones that may infiltrate our bodies and set up household under
the skin. This creates a situation that would be less than desirable. This type of insect
is called a botfly. When found, they should be surgically removed to prevent possible
infection.
MD0008
7-4