Proper Treatment of Fire Ant Bites

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.

There are a few trademark symptoms of the bite of the fire ant. Almost everyone will experience redness of the skin, itching, swelling, and/or burning. The location might even unfortunately blister, an issue that can last more than a week for some. Some folks are not so lucky--if a person is hypersensitive to the bite, they may experience a swollen throat and trouble breathing, which could lead to death.

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.

In the event that a person should be bitten, there are a few things that can be done. Obviously, make sure that the ant is removed from the body and that there are no others, since they do travel in groups. Then take an antihistamine for potential symptoms. It will likely begin to burn or sting, so to reduce these effects, applying meat tenderizer or crushed aspirin and water to the affected area will help.

Anti-itch cream and antibiotic solutions should also be kept in a first-aid kit for situations like these. The bites are most definitely going to itch, which is where the aforementioned cream will come into handy. The bites should not be scratched, but if they do turn into open sores somehow, the antibiotic solution will prevent infection and also deter scarring. If any more severe symptoms manifest themselves, call a doctor immediately, as the results could be fatal.

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. If you are looking for more homemade recipes, visit HippsHelp.com today! Our blog features recipes to show you how to make BBQ chicken, how to repair leaky pipes, and even how to treat fire ants! In addition, we feature DIY videos to make all your home repairs easy.