Proper Treatment of Fire Ant Bites   by Gerald Hipps

in Outdoors    (submitted 2012-02-02)

Everyone has seen a group of bright red fire ants marching across the sidewalk at some point. Everyone also knows that they should be avoided, but not everyone knows what to do should a person come into contact with one. They are common enough that it is a good idea to have some basic knowledge. How the bite can be prevented, what will happen if it occurs, and how to handle it if it does are things that everyone should know about fire ant bites.

These bugs got their name because when they do bite a human, it creates a sensation similar to being burned by a flame. The site of the bite will likely become swollen, itchy, and very painful. In fact, there may even be blistering on the skin, which may not go away for about a week, then will turn into scabs. For people who are more sensitive, the symptoms will be more intense, such as a swollen throat, and could even lead to death in extreme cases.

There are a number of precautions that can be taken in order to prevent the bites in the first place. Children should always be educated about the consequences of the bites that will encourage them to avoid the bugs. If a colony is found outside, the only real way to destroy it is by soaking it with a cypermethrin solution. These are granules that are then sprayed with water to adhere them to the ground.

If a bite does occur, there are a few steps that should be taken. First and foremost, the bitten person should ensure that the ant and any others are removed from the body, as they will continue to bite. Then, take an allergy medicine to try to counteract the symptoms. Immediately after, crush aspirin or use meat tenderizer and mix it with water to form a paste and cover the location of the bite to reduce pain.

Anti-itch cream is ideal for the intense itching that will likely occur. If possible, the inflicted person should not scratch the bites to avoid scarring. It is possible that the area will turn into open sores, and if this is the case, an antibiotic ointment should be applied. This is all that can really be done until the symptoms subside, but if anything more serious occurs, medical help should be sought immediately.

Fire ant bites are certainly not a lot of fun. For most people, though, they are simply uncomfortable and can be treated with over-the-counter remedies. It is important that everyone is aware that the issues can be more serious in people that are more sensitive, so be aware of more intense symptoms, like sore throats. Try to prevent the bites from happening by destroying colonies if possible and avoiding them if not.

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