ROCKPORT — As the warmer weather arrives, so do the pesky little critters known as the brown-tail moth caterpillars.

According to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the caterpillars are active from April to late June and contain tiny poisonous hairs that cause dermatitis, similar to poison ivy, on sensitive individuals. To help combat the rash and its symptoms that develop when the hairs become embedded in the skin, Pen Bay Medical Center is currently producing a steroid-based gel compound, available by prescription only.

Pen Bay has compounded this product for the past few years as the caterpillar population has grown within its communities, causing the caterpillar hairs to become more widespread. Kennebec Pharmacy & Home Care in Rockport and Jensen’s Pharmacy in Rockland also compound a treatment in the form of a relief spray, each available by prescription only, while other community pharmacists may recommend certain over-the-counter treatments.

According to the Maine CDC, after coming in contact with the caterpillar hairs, most people develop a localized rash that can last for a few hours or up to several days. The rash can persist for several weeks on individuals with more sensitive skin.

The caterpillar hairs can remain toxic throughout the summer but get washed into the soil and become less of a problem over time.

If you believe you have developed a rash due to brown-tail caterpillar hairs, contact your primary care provider, Pen Bay Walk-in Care at 301-6000 or Waldo Walk-in Care at 505-4567 to schedule an appointment.

Pen Bay Medical Center

Pen Bay Medical Center is part of MaineHealth, a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of nine local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,600 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With more than 19,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. For more information, please visit pbmc.org.