Spring and summer are on its way.

So it is time to look out for those cute furry caterpillars. Especially if you have young children. All furry caterpillars can cause a allergic reaction.

The furry white caterpillars may be cute looking to some people, especially children. But, beware cause they are not quite as innocent or harmless as they may seem.

Black and white caterpillars cause severe allergic reactions in people who touch them.

These little white and black caterpillars are poisonous and doctors have reported that children especially, probably because they are more curious about things like this then adults are, are having reactions to touching these furry little creatures. But, adults need to be aware of the toxic nature of these creatures also.

"ORIGINS: In August 2011 the warning quoted above began circulating online, decrying an insect known as the White Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar, which is native in Canada from Nova Scotia to Ontario and in the U.S. from the northeast to the south central part of the country. This caterpillar appears between June and September and munches is way through the leaves of deciduous trees (it prefers nut-bearing trees, but will settle for willow, ash, aspen, apple, oak, and even raspberry plants and corn stalks). While it does make rather a feast of the leaves it dines on, it does not tend to cause lasting damage to the trees themselves.

"The caterpillar excretes a type of chemical defense upon contact (which is more ‘allergenic’ than ‘poisonous’). Most people who handle these critters will experience a burning, nettle-type, itchy rash of mild to moderate severity, and washing the affected area with soap and water, then applying ammonia or calamine lotion and icing the area should set things to rights. However, some folks are hypersensitive to the poison and have allergic reactions to it: in addition to the itchy rash, those persons are likely to experience more severe symptoms such as swelling and nausea and should seek expert medical advice as soon as possible..."(http://www.snopes.com/horrors/insects/tussock.asp).

THE FOLLOWING PHOTOGRAPHS ARE EXAMPLES OF A RASH WHICH DEVELOPED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF A 61 YEAR OLD FEMALE COMING INTO CONTACT WITH ONE OF THESE ADORABLE CREATURES!