THE DECEPTIVE KISS OF THE "SKIRT-AND-BLOUSE"

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Have you been kissed before? By the skirt and blouse I mean. In fact, whoever named skirt and blouse, 'skirt and blouse' probably had something else in mind than meets the normal sight of these little creatures. They are so little yet we know they live their imprint on our skin like footsteps in the sands of the Sahara.
The insects are beautifully clothed in complementary colours of dark blue and bright orange but surely do not be deceived, their poisons are not as friendly.
A wonderful sight to behold. They look almost like the scorpio without that evil gaint wedge for clamping them potential hostiles.
They belongs to a group of insects called the Paederus Rove Bettles and yes in case you wonder how they got into room or your face for that matter, they do have flight wings. The beetles are widely distributed around the world. Studies have reported that their appearance. Their bright colours may actually be a mechanism of adaptation. A warning signal to potential predators. In their development, they exhibit complete metamorphosis (egg-larvae-pupa-adult).
Paederus rove beetles have preference for moist soil like an irrigated farmland. They are active during the day and attracted to bright light after night. For their food, the larvae and adult love the juicy dish of other insects that feed on plants (herbivorous insects).
According to Medical and Veterinary Entomology (2009), these beetles actually do not bite or sting when they do their harm. However, at least 20 of the more than 600 species of the Paederus beetles have been associated with Paederus dermatitis.
From the name 'dermatitis', the condition is associated with skin inflammatory disorders. However, Paederus dermatitis is a skin irritation resulting from contact with certain toxin from the beetle called Pederin. Pederin is produced in the hemolymph (related to the circulatory system of invertebrates) of the beetle. This toxin results in the blistering of the skin.
Studies have also implicated a endosymbiont bacteria (Pseudomonas spp) as the main culprit. Either way, P. dermatitis is caused when  a pederin-containing beetle is crushed even if partially against the skin. Once the toxin is on the skin from the initial beetle contact, it may spread to other parts of the skin. It is not surprising to have 'Kissing or mirror image' lesions where two skin areas come in contact. For example, somewhere between the elbow.
The syndrome from the skin irritation have other local nicknames like whiplash dermititis, spider lick, Nairobi fly dermatitis. In East Africa, conjunctivitis from getting pederin in the eye is called 'Nairobi eye.'
Exposure to this toxin does not take immediate effect. However within 12 - 36 hours, a reddish rash appears which develops into blisters. The consequent skin irritation including crusting and scaling may last from 2 - 3 weeks.
But not to worry. As strongly recommended by the United States Public Health Command, washing of the hands and skin with soap and water is advised when in contact with a rove beetle. More so, from consultation with medical practitioners, topical and oral medications for skin inflammatory diseases may be employed.

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