Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Fire ant stings are often very painful, and can even cause serious problems if you are allergic. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ease the pain and itchiness and heal the sting as quickly as possible.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Handling fire ants

1. 

   Avoid the fire ant's nest. Most of the cases of being stung by ants are caused by accidentally stepping on or sitting on the fire ant's nest, and hundreds of thousands of excited fire ants will come out to protect their accommodation. As soon as you know you've been stung by an ant, the first thing you need to do is get up and get out of the place quickly.

2. 

   
   
   Shake the ants. Fire ants use their lower jaw to grip the skin and often do not easily brush them off. Quickly use your hand or a rag to wash the ants away.
   • Whether you jump into the water or spray with a hose, you won't be able to dislodge the ants if they grabbed you with their lower jaw.
   • If there is a possibility of ants getting into your clothes, take off the clothes immediately.
   advertisement

Part 2 of 4: Determine if you are allergic to fire ant stings

1. 

   
   
   Keep track of symptoms. There are very rare cases of an allergy caused by fire ants, but if you do, seek immediate medical attention. Swelling and pain are normal, but If you have the following symptoms, go to the emergency room or hospital right away:
   • Hives, itching, and swelling are found in areas other than the area where the ant stings.
   • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
   • A feeling of tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing.
   • Swelling in the throat, lips, and tongue or difficulty swallowing.
   • Hypersensitivity shock can occur in most severe cases, and can lead to dizziness, fainting, and cardiac arrest if not promptly rescued.

2. 

   
   
   Seek treatment. You may be treated for an allergic reaction in the hospital with epinephrine, antihistamines, or steroids to stabilize the symptoms.
   • If you know that you are allergic to fire ant stings, you may have an epinephrine syringe, often called epi-pen (epinephrine). You can give yourself an injection or ask someone to help you, and then go to the hospital.
   advertisement

Part 3 of 4: Treating fire ant stings

1. 

   Raise the skin that is stung by ants. On your way home for further treatment, raise your arm that was stung by the ant to help reduce swelling.

2. 

   Wash soapy water. Gently wash the affected area to remove any dirt. This step helps to prevent mites.

3. 

   Apply a cold compress. This will reduce the itchiness by reducing swelling and numbing the affected area. You can apply a compress for 20 minutes, rest at least 20 minutes between compresses to help your skin recover.
   • You can also use an ice pack to use an ice pack, but be sure to cover it with a cloth or paper towel to separate the skin from the ice.

4. 

   Take an antihistamine or apply hydrocortisone cream. These are over-the-counter medications that help relieve pain and itching.

5. 

   Don't break the blister. After a few hours, the swelling should be a bit less and a blister will form. The wound will not become infected if you do not break the blister. Be sure not to scratch to avoid causing the blister to burst.
   • If the blister breaks, wash it with soapy water and watch for signs of infection. You can also apply an antibiotic ointment to the open wound. These ointments are available at most pharmacies without a prescription.
   • If the sting changes color or begins to ooze pus, it may be infected. Seek immediate medical attention.
   advertisement

Part 4 of 4: Home remedies (Unproven)

The following therapies have been used effectively by many readers. They may or may not work for you, so consider its effectiveness, and be sure to see your doctor if you have any doubts.

1. 

   Take an oatmeal bath. Mix 1 to 2 cups of rolled or cut oats in a tub of warm water and soak in the tub for at least 15 minutes.Oats can help soothe itchiness and reduce inflammation.

2. 

   Use rubbing alcohol and meat tenderizer. After you've rinsed the ants off, immediately wash the affected area with rubbing alcohol and leave the alcohol on your skin. However, be aware that alcohol can also make the sting worse.
   • Raise the area where the ant was stung, and sprinkle more meat tenderizer over the sting.

3. 

   Use hand sanitizer. Golfers in Florida sometimes use this therapy.
   • Always carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your bag.
   • Apply plenty of hand sanitizer to the affected area after you have washed the ants.
   • Leave the solution on your skin.
   • Take Benadryl or an equivalent antihistamine when you get home.

4. 

   Try rubbing the burned area gently with baking soda mixed with water. This can help with itching and reduce redness.
   • A paste made of baking soda and vinegar is also effective, or the use of separate vinegar works.

5. 

   Use ammonia. As soon as you get stung by an ant, use ammonia to wash it off as soon as possible. This can help minimize the effects of the sting. advertisement

Advice

• Try not to scratch to avoid infection.
• Doesn't break the blister. A burst blister can cause infection and skin irritation.
• Always be careful with the fire ant nests. Keeping loved ones and pets away from the nest is a surefire way to prevent ant stings.
• Be careful when sitting, standing or placing sports bags / items / tents, etc. You can prevent ants from stinging in the first place if you are careful.
• Aloe vera can relieve pain. Try to use fresh aloe from the aloe leaves. Split the aloe leaves open like a book, then slice them along the edge. This will be easier with a planer. If you want, you can cut off the spines on the front edge of the leaves. Apply a lot of the gel inside the leaves to the affected area.

Warning

• The best way to prevent fire ant damage is to treat the infested areas with preventive measures, such as fipronil.
• Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. If any unusual reactions occur, you should notify your doctor immediately.