Is this your symptom?
- Stung by a fire ant
- Fire ant stings are more common in the Southern U.S.
Local Skin Reactions to the Sting
- The main symptoms are pain, burning, swelling and redness at the sting site.
- Pain and burning at the site usually lasts 10 minutes. The pain is far less than that of a bee sting.
- Itching follows the pain and can last for weeks.
- Hive. Hive-like bump occurs at sting site within 30 minutes (100%). This looks like a red spot with a raised, white center.
- Pimples with yellow fluid (pustules) occur at the sting site within 24 hours (96%). These pimples are almost diagnostic for fire ant stings. They are very itchy. They usually open on their own by 3 days. Then, they dry over. Sometimes, they can last for up to a week.
- Normal Swelling from venom can increase for 24 hours after the sting. Stings of the upper face can cause severe swelling around the eye. This is harmless.
- Severe Swelling. Sometimes, fire ant bites can cause severe swelling. Hand or foot bites can cause swelling that crosses the wrist (or ankle). The amount of swelling can limit movement and need treatment with steroids. These do not carry an increased risk of allergic reaction with future stings.
- Redness. Stings can become red. This is normal. That doesn't mean they are infected. Infections rarely occur in stings.
Anaphylactic Reaction to the Sting
- A severe life-threatening allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis.
- The main symptoms are hives with trouble breathing and swallowing. It starts within 2 hours of the sting.
- This severe reaction to fire ant stings happens in about 1% of people who are stung.
- Hives. After fire ant stings, some people just develop hives all over or face swelling. Hives or face swelling alone may be able to be treated at home. But, at times, these symptoms can also lead to anaphylaxis. Be sure to call your doctor now to help decide.
Cause of Fire Ant Sting Reactions
- The ant's stinger injects venom into the skin.
- The venom is what causes all the symptoms.
- A fire ant attaches to the skin with its jaws and swivels its body. It stings multiple times with its back stinger.
- One fire ant can leave an arc of more than one sting.
General Info about Fire Ants
- In infested areas, fire ants cause many more stings than bees or yellow jackets.
- More than 50% of people living in these areas are stung each year.
- Fire ants are found throughout the Southern U.S., from Florida to Texas. They have also appeared in California, New Mexico and Arizona.
- Colonies of fire ants live in small mounds of dirt, usually 6 inches tall.
- When the mound is disturbed, hundreds of fire ants stream out and attack.
- The fire ant causes a "burning" feeling at the site of the stings. This is how it got its name.
Prevention of Fire Ant Stings
- The only way to prevent fire ant stings is to avoid their colonies (mounds).
- If you have been stung, move away from the area to prevent more stings
- Learn to spot their colonies (mounds) and to keep their distance.
- Insect repellents (including those that have DEET) don't help to prevent fire ant stings.
- Wear socks. Fire ants cannot bite through socks.
When to Call for Fire Ant Sting
Call 911 Now
Go to ER Now
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
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Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
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Self Care at Home
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Call 911 Now
- Past severe allergic reaction to fire ant stings (not just hives) and stung less than 2 hours ago
- You are having any of these symptoms of a severe allergic reaction:
- wheezing or trouble breathing
- dizzy, faint or too weak to stand
- trouble swallowing, drooling or slurred speech
- passed out or hard to wake up
- hoarse voice, cough, or tightness in the throat or chest
- Fast heartbeat or palpitations
- Acts or talks confused
- You think you have a life-threatening emergency
Go to ER Now
- Hives or swelling all over the body
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
- More than 50 stings
- Stomach pain or vomiting
- Sting inside the mouth or on the eye
- Fever and sting looks infected (spreading redness)
- You feel weak or very sick
- You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- Painful spreading redness started more than 24 hours after the bite. Note: any redness starting in the first 24 hours is a reaction to the bite.
- More than 48 hours since the sting and redness getting larger
- Swelling is huge (4 inches or 10 cm). It spreads across a joint such as the wrist.
- You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- Scab that looks infected (drains pus or gets bigger) and not better with antibiotic ointment
- Severe itching not better after 24 hours of using steroid cream
- You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home
- Normal reaction to a fire ant sting
Care Advice for Stomach Pain
What You Should Know About Stomach Pain:
- Mild stomach pain can be caused by something simple. It could be from gas pains or eating too much.
- Sometimes, stomach pain signals the start of a viral infection. This will lead to vomiting or loose stools.
- Watching your child for 2 hours will help tell you the cause.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Lie Down:
- Have your child lie down and rest until feeling better.
Clear Fluids:
- Offer clear fluids only (such as water, flat soft drinks or half-strength Gatorade).
- For mild pain, offer a regular diet.
Prepare for Vomiting:
- Keep a vomiting pan handy.
- Younger children often talk about stomach pain when they have nausea. Nausea is the sick stomach feeling that comes before they throw up.
Pass a Stool:
- Have your child sit on the toilet and try to pass a stool.
- This may help if the pain is from constipation or diarrhea.
- Note: for constipation, moving a warm wet cotton ball on the anus may help.
Do Not Give Medicines:
- Any drug (like ibuprofen) could upset the stomach and make the pain worse.
- Do not give any pain medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps.
- For fever higher than 102° F (39° C), acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can be given.
What to Expect:
- With harmless causes, the pain is most often better or gone in 2 hours.
- With stomach flu, belly cramps may happen before each bout of vomiting or diarrhea. These cramps may come and go for a few days.
- With serious causes (such as appendicitis), the pain worsens and becomes constant.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Constant pain lasts more than 2 hours
- Mild pain that comes and goes lasts more than 24 hours
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Extra Help - Worried Stomach:
- Help your child talk about events that trigger the stomach pain. Talk to your child about how to cope with these the next time around.
- Help your child worry less about things she can't control.
- To treat the pain, help your child get very relaxed. Lying down in a quiet place and taking slow deep breaths may help. Make the belly go up and down with each breath. Then try to relax all the muscles in the body. Think about something pleasant. Listening to audios that teach how to relax might also help.
- Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
- Make sure that your child doesn't miss any school because of stomach pains. Stressed children tend to want to stay home when the going gets rough.
- Caution: your child should see her doctor for an exam. Do this before concluding frequent stomach pains are from worrying too much.
