What is the recommended first step in immediate action after recognizing contact with a *Paederus* beetle?

Thorough washing of the affected area with soap and copious amounts of water

Immediate decontamination is paramount in minimizing the severity of Paederus dermatitis because the pederin toxin requires time to fully penetrate the skin layers and initiate the inflammatory cascade. Therefore, the absolute first step upon recognizing contact, even before symptoms manifest, is rigorous washing. This process must involve liberal amounts of soap and water to physically lift and remove as much of the chemical irritant from the skin's surface as possible before it can cause significant damage. While corticosteroids are vital for managing the established inflammation, and cool compresses help with itching later on, swift mechanical removal of the toxin via washing is the critical intervention to mitigate the ultimate extent of the reaction.