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Fire ant stings can be painful and irritating, but most people don’t need medical treatment for them. Fortunately, there are things you can do to reduce the pain and itching and help your sting heal as fast as possible. However, in rare cases, it’s possible to be allergic to fire ant stings. We’ve put together answers to some of the questions you may have about getting stung by a fire ant.
Steps
Question 1 of 7:
What do you put on fire ant bites?
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Apply a cold compress for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. A cold compress can help reduce the swelling. Hold the cold compress against the affected area for 20 minutes, then remove it and let the area rest for 20 minutes. Repeat the process until your skin feels better and is less swollen. [1] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Make a cold compress by filling a plastic bag with ice cubes. Soak a washcloth under cool running water, then wrap it around the bag of ice. Press the cloth directly against your skin.
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Use a hydrocortisone cream to relieve the itching. Buy hydrocortisone cream over the counter at any pharmacy or drugstore. Rub a little bit onto your skin wherever you were bitten to reduce the itchiness and irritation while it heals. [2] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- You can also use calamine lotion to treat the itchiness.
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Try rubbing the sting with a paste made from water and baking soda. This is a home remedy that may work to reduce itching, swelling, and redness. Mix equal parts baking soda and water to form a paste. Apply the paste to your bites several times a day until your symptoms get better. [3] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Question 3 of 7:
How long do fire ant bites last?
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The initial pain and burning subside after 10 minutes or so. When a fire ant stings you, it feels a bit like a less-painful bee sting. The painful sensation goes away on its own and after that your skin starts to feel itchy. This itchiness can last for weeks after the sting. [5] X Trustworthy Source Seattle Children's Hospital Health information provided by Seattle Children's hospital. Go to source
- It’s normal for the swelling in the bitten area to continue increasing for the first 24 hours.
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A pimple-like pustule forms within 24 hours and disappears after 3 days. For most people, the pustules dry up completely after a few weeks. After they dry up, they may leave a brown scar that can last for several months or longer. [6] X Trustworthy Source Seattle Children's Hospital Health information provided by Seattle Children's hospital. Go to source
- Don’t worry if the sting turns red after the pustule forms. This is normal and doesn’t mean it’s infected.
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Question 7 of 7:
How do you keep fire ants from biting you?
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Move out of the area if you find fire ants on your body. Most stings occur when people accidentally step into or sit on a fire ant mound, disturbing hundreds of thousands of fire ants primed to defend their home. If you start seeing any fire ants on your body, the first thing to do is get up and leave the area as quickly as possible. [10] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- If you feel a fire ant bite you, leave the area immediately to prevent further ants crawling on you and getting more bites.
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Remove any ants from your skin. Fire ants clamp onto the body with their mandibles before they actually sting you. Quickly rub them off with your hand or a rag to remove them before they bite. [11] X Research source
- Jumping into water or running the ants under a spigot will not remove them if they have already clamped down with their mandibles. [12] X Research source
- If there's a chance more ants have gotten into your clothes, remove your clothes immediately.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I prevent getting fire ant stings?Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.When in areas where fire ants may be, wear protective clothing. Cover any exposed skin with socks, long pants, or tights. Be sure and watch your step to prevent stepping on an ant mound.
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QuestionWhat should I do if an ant bit me yesterday and now I feel shaky and sluggish?Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.See your healthcare provider as soon as possible. In the meantime, take an antihistamine, such as Benadryl and stay hydrated.
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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Apply a tiny bit of undiluted tea tree oil to bites soon after they happen. For many, this stops the burning feeling and prevents blisters from forming. But test your skin's reaction first, as some people are allergic.
- To monitor bite progression, draw a marker circle around the borders of the bite when it first happens. Check back in 5-10 hours — if the redness/swelling expands beyond the original marking, seek medical care.
- Popping blisters is controversial, but leaving them intact ensures the bites won't risk infection. Monitor all bites closely regardless and get medical attention if serious signs of infection develop.
- If the itching flares up again after a fire ant bite, try taking a hot (but tolerable) shower. Letting the water run over the bite can temporarily relieve the itchiness.
- Rubbing alcohol on bites right after they occur cleans out dirt. Follow up by applying Vicks Vaporub, which provides a cooling sensation to soothe irritation.
- If camping or somewhere without access to pharmacy remedies, wet mud can be soothing. Simply spread some over the bite to ease the pain.
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References
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-insect-bites/basics/art-20056593
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-insect-bites/basics/art-20056593
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-insect-bites/basics/art-20056593
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/fire-ant.html
- ↑ https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/fire-ant-sting/
- ↑ https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/fire-ant-sting/
- ↑ https://www.aocd.org/page/FireAntBites
- ↑ https://www.aocd.org/page/FireAntBites
- ↑ http://fireant.tamu.edu/files/2011/12/FAPFS023_2002rev_Medical.pdf
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you've been stung by a fire ant, immediately wash the area with soap and water to prevent an infection. Then, hold a cold compress on the sting for several minutes to help reduce any swelling. To stop the sting from itching, apply a hydrocortisone cream to the sting or take an antihistamine. If you experience an allergic reaction to the sting, including nausea, difficulty breathing, or swelling, seek immediate medical attention. To learn some home remedies you can use to treat a sting, like baking soda paste or rubbing alcohol, keep reading!
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,138,184 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "Lots of awesome and useful information contained within this fire ant bite article! Was bit yesterday while setting up calf hutches. Only one bite, thankfully. Vinegar and ice packs were very helpful, thank you so much! Now, to locate and eliminate!" ..." more
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"Lots of awesome and useful information contained within this fire ant bite article! Was bit yesterday while setting up calf hutches. Only one bite, thankfully. Vinegar and ice packs were very helpful, thank you so much! Now, to locate and eliminate!"
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"How to treat the sting after being stung. I also didn't know not to pop the blisters. I thought you should pop them to get the pus out after you've been stung, which I now know is wrong. Thank you for this information, it was very helpful."
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"Absolutely the best info on treating fire ant bites I have found. Another thing I have found helpful, along with washing with soap and water, is to clean the area with witch hazel and let it dry before applying the hydrocortizone cream."
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"I wear a compression hose for lymphedema. My leg started to get very itchy. The fire ants bit right through my hose while picking flowers. I used Cortizone cream and the ice treatment and it is bringing me some relief. Thank you."
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"I have type one diabetes and got bit by a fire ant on baby toe. Reading the article told me exactly what to do and watch for. I was going to pop the blister until I read article telling me not to, due to infection."
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