When they sting, fire ants enter a venom that makes the skin itchy, swollen, and red. Pain occurs as small red bumps appear, which are soon followed by the formation of clear blisters. The fluid inside the blister may turn cloudy, and the area may become itchy, swollen, and painful. Learn how to treat fire ant stings immediately, find out if an allergic reaction occurs, and treat fire ant stings, to relieve swelling and pain.
If your throat feels constricted or short of breath after being stung by a fire ant, seek immediate medical attention.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Overcoming Fire Ants
Step 1. Stay away from mounds of earth that are ant nests
Most cases of fire ant stings occur because people accidentally step on or sit on an anthill and disturb hundreds to thousands of fire ants who are ready to defend their homes. If you start to feel stung, the first thing to do is to get away from the area as quickly as possible.
Step 2. Get rid of the ants
Fire ants use their lower jaws to bite the body so tightly that they are difficult to get rid of. Immediately pick up and drop the fire ants to the ground one by one.
- You can try brushing the ant off with your hands, but if it bites with your lower jaw, the ant may continue to cling to your body.
- Do not hit the ants because it will only trigger the ants to bite and sting.
- If there are a lot of ants on your clothes, take them off immediately.
Part 2 of 4: Knowing If an Allergic Reaction Occurs
Step 1. Pay attention to the symptoms that occur
Allergies to fire ant stings are extremely rare, but if they occur, you should seek treatment immediately. Swelling and pain are normal symptoms, but if any of the following symptoms occur, go to the emergency department or hospital immediately:
- Urticaria/redness, itching, and swelling in the area other than the bitten/sting.
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Chest tightness with shortness of breath.
- Swollen throat, tongue, and lips, or difficulty swallowing.
- Anaphylactic shock, which occurs in the most severe cases, can cause dizziness, fainting, and a stopped heartbeat if not treated immediately.
Step 2. Seek medical help immediately
In the hospital, allergic reactions will be treated with epinephrine, antihistamines, or steroids to relieve symptoms and stabilize the condition.
If you already know that you are allergic to fire ant stings, be on the alert with an epinephrine injection (epi-pen). Inject yourself or ask a friend to help you, then head to the hospital
Part 3 of 4: Healing the Fire Ant Sting
Step 1. Lift the body part that was stung by the fire ant
On the way to getting further treatment, elevate the arm that was stung by the fire ant to minimize swelling.
Step 2. Wash the stinger with soapy water
Gently wash the area of the body that was stung by fire ants to remove dust and other debris and help prevent infection.
Step 3. Apply a cold compress on the area of the body that was stung by the fire ant
Cold compresses help relieve itching by reducing swelling and numbing the sting area.
Step 4. Take an antihistamine medication, or apply a hydrocortisone cream
Both drugs can be purchased without a prescription and help relieve pain and itching.
Step 5. The blister should not be broken
After a few hours, the swelling will reduce slightly and a blister will form. As long as the blisters don't burst, infection won't occur. Do not scratch as this can cause the blisters to burst.
- If the blister bursts, wash it with soapy water, and watch for signs of infection.
- If it changes color or oozes pus, the stinger may have become infected. You must go to the hospital immediately.
Part 4 of 4: Using Home Remedies (Untested)
The following home remedies have been tried, with satisfactory results, by many readers. However, the following methods may or may not be effective for you. So, decide at your own discretion. Always consult a doctor when in doubt.
Step 1. Use rubbing alcohol and meat tenderizer
- After removing all ants from your body, immediately wash the stung area with rubbing alcohol and keep it wet.
- Remove the area and sprinkle generously with meat tenderizer. This method prevents the stinging effect from developing beyond the stage that occurred when this treatment was carried out.
Step 2. Use a hand sanitizer
Golfers in Florida sometimes use this method.
- Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in your bag.
- Apply plenty of hand sanitizer to the bite/sting area after removing fire ants from the skin.
- Keep the hand sanitizer on the sting area; do not rinse. This method helps to temporarily relieve the burning sensation, and for hours, the normal symptoms may not appear so you can continue with your activities.
- Take Benadryl or another suitable antihistamine when you get home.
Step 3. Carefully rub a paste made of water and baking soda on the area of the body that was stung by the fire ant
Baking soda paste can help relieve itching and redness.
A paste made of baking soda and vinegar is also effective, just as if you only used vinegar
Step 4. Use a cold compress or washcloth moistened with cold water
Apply a cold compress to the area of the body that was stung by the fire ant for 10 minutes. Allow time between compressions.
Be aware that ice can injure the skin if it is left on the skin for too long
Step 5. Use ammonia
As soon as possible after being stung, rinse the sting area with ammonia. Products that generally contain ammonia include Windex or other window cleaning products. Ammonia minimizes the stinging effect.
Tips
- Applying toothpaste on the area of the body that was stung/bitten by fire ants, then let it dry, can be very helpful.
- Being vigilant and keeping loved ones and pets away from fire ant nests is a surefire way to prevent fire ant stings.
- Aloe vera gel can relieve pain from fire ant stings. However, make sure to use fresh aloe vera gel which is taken directly from fresh aloe vera leaves. Split the aloe vera leaf so that it opens like a book. Cut longitudinally at the tips of the leaves. A paring knife is the best tool for this. To be on the safe side, the thorns on the edges of the aloe vera leaf can be removed first. Apply a large amount of aloe vera gel on the area of the body that was stung by fire ants.
- Olive oil can be used to soothe and smooth the areas of the body stung by fire ants. Take a tissue paper, bend it in half, and moisten it with olive oil. Rub on the sting area, then apply for 5-7 minutes. Let the olive oil sit on the sting area for 1.5 hours before washing it off with hot water. This method should relieve pain as well as reduce swelling.
- Pay attention to the ground/floor before sitting, standing, or putting down bags/clothes/tents, etc. Caution can prevent stings from occurring.
Warning
- Possible allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. Any abnormal reactions should be checked by a doctor immediately.
- The best way to prevent fire ant stings is to kill fire ants with an insecticide such as fipronil.
