"Flying sulfuric acid": Summer warning over the 'burn beetle' that can cause blisters on contact

[Financial News] Cases of dermatitis caused by the Paederus beetle, also known as the burn beetle, are surging in China as the insects are drawn indoors by lights. Caution is also needed in South Korea, where large-scale damage from burn beetles has occurred during the summer.
According to local Chinese media on the 2nd, local time, the number of dermatology patients complaining of red spots and a burning sensation after contact with burn beetles at night has recently surged in China.
The burn beetle is an indigenous species. The first reported case in South Korea was in Jeollanam-do in 1968, and a large number of cases were reported during the Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree in August 2023.
The National Institute of Biological Resources is also tracking the population this year, including the burn beetle on its monitoring list for possible outbreaks.
The insect's body fluid contains a highly acidic toxic substance called pederin, which local medical staff in China have described as "flying concentrated sulfuric acid."
If it touches the skin, or if the insect is crushed and the fluid comes into contact with the skin, it can trigger Paederus dermatitis. Symptoms typically appear 12 hours later, with red rashes, blisters, and pain similar to a burn.
In South Korea, too, people are advised to avoid direct physical contact as much as possible if they find a burn beetle.
If contact is unavoidable, do not rub the insect by hand. Remove it with a tool, then wash the affected area immediately with soap and running water and seek medical attention from a specialist.
The area that came into contact with the insect should be washed immediately with soap and running water. Corticosteroid ointment or a cold compress can help relieve symptoms. If it gets into the eyes, do not rub them and go to a hospital right away.

[email protected] Sung Min-seo Reporter