Boy escapes deadly moth drama

PLAYING with a caterpillar in a town centre garden left a five-year-old boy covered in a red, itchy rash which could have been fatal had he breathing problems.

By The Newsroom

Published 20th Jun 2002, 12:57 BST

Updated 7th Jun 2018, 19:51 BST

Little Garid Eldridge was taken to The Conquest on Sunday where he waited four hours for treatment.

His mother, Mrs Jacqueline Eldridge, of Glenthorne Road, Bexhill, said: "It was horrid for him. He kept scratching and could have nothing to drink until he had seen a doctor.

"We were advised when we took him home we were to watch Garid's breathing, because the rash could be dangerous. He is not asthmatic, or it could have been fatal."

Mrs Eldridge said as soon as she saw Garid playing with the caterpillar she knew what it was a brown-tailed moth variety which brings anyone who touches it out in a rash.

She said: "I made him drop the caterpillar immediately and wash his hands. Within 10 minutes the rash appeared on his hands. Next day it was all over him.

"I want to warn other parents to be on the alert at this time of year, when the caterpillar is prevalent."

Bexhill