Moth suspected to be the cause of Marloth rash outbreak
The bagnest moth is currently the most likely culprit of the severe skin rash Marloth Park's residents and visitors have experienced over the past three weeks.
MARLOTH PARK – Many residents and visitors have been suffering from severe itchy skin and rashes for the past three weeks.
The exact cause of this skin reaction is still unknown. The municipality and relevant health department officials are still investigating the phenomenon.
Some residents have pointed to the bagnest or maroela moth as the culprit. The moth and its green caterpillar can be found across the Lowveld and the scales from the wings (which can look like fine powder) can cause an allergic reaction in the form of a skin rash. This powder can be released wherever the moth lands. The caterpillars can reportedly be found moving in trains during the winter months.
A large amount of these moths recently appeared in Marloth Park and were mostly found in houses and on verandahs in the evenings. The unusual number of moths could be the reason that many residents have been affected by it for the first time in years.
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A resident, Tharina Schnetler Dippenaar, stated that a fine rash starts on the arms and then spreads to the rest of the body. She and several of her neighbours have tried various lotions, baking soda and even anti-histamine, to no avail. They also realised that heat worsens the symptoms. Several people visited the doctor to try and find a solution but could only get ointments to treat the itch while they wait it out.
Dippenaar mentioned that cases of a similar itch have been reported in December.
Residents are urged to keep an eye out for the moth and avoid touching it or anything it has come into contact with.
Some residents were worried that the water may be the cause, as the water quality has not been good recently.
Cindy Benson, from the Marloth Park Ratepayers Association, stated that there is currently no evidence to support this claim but she is keeping an eye on the situation.
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The water was recently tested and showed that the water was compliant to quality checks and the pH fell within acceptable levels. Due to electricity problems and load shedding, Benson is worried that the water plant is not running properly and she advised residents to rather not drink it until new tests have been done.
The municipality promised Benson that they would do their best to get the best water quality possible and invited Benson to regularly check up on their efforts.
Benson urged residents that are suffering from the skin rash to contact her via the Marloth Park Ratepayers Association Facebook page or on 083-380-7212.
