CITIZENS are advised to not slap rove beetles when finding them on skin, given the toxin contained in their bodies, said experts.

Many citizens recently reported that they were attacked by rove beetles. A citizen surnamed Zhang developed a rash after being stung by the bug. Doctors at a residential community hospital told him that his skin rash might be caused by the toxin in rove beetles.

Rove beetles are known for their usually elongated, slender bodies whose wings are not visible.

Lai Huolong, director with the dermatology department of Shenzhen Border Inspection General Hospital, said that once our skin makes contact with the rove beetle’s toxin, symptoms including papules, blisters, and pustules or even burning and itching may occur.

As a result, residents should not slap the bug in order to avoid touching the toxin. An inappropriate handling of the rash surrounding the eyes, according to Lai, might cause blindness.

Lai suggested that the best way to deal with the bug is to blow them off your skin.

Rove beetles normally show up in wet grasslands after rainfall in the summer and fall. They are attracted to light at night.

Lai’s department sees around three to four cases related to rove beetles each week now.

Shao Yong, a dermatologist with Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, advises residents to wash their skin with soapy water if a rove beetle touches their skin.

Patients with mild reactions can apply calamine lotion or hormone ointment externally while patients with severe reactions may see blisters or erosions on the skin surface and should use normal saline or potassium permanganate solution for wet dressing, said Shao. (Wang Jingli)