Overview

• During a visit to Berlin’s Jungfernheide lido, Kiewel inadvertently touched hairs of the oak processionary caterpillar and developed intense itching and hives that required pharmacy treatment.
• Authorities have closed infested parks and installed warning signs as the caterpillar infestation spreads under unusually warm, dry summer conditions.
• The caterpillar hairs contain the toxic protein thaumetopoein, which can trigger severe skin irritation, respiratory issues and, in rare cases, allergic shock.
• In her SuperIllu column, Kiewel advised others affected to apply cortisone cream and resist scratching to ease symptoms.
• Kiewel, who resumed hosting on June 19 and announced her engagement during the June 22 Fernsehgarten broadcast, will return for the June 29 edition featuring two new musical debut performances.