One risk of spending time outdoors in the summer is bug bites. Most stinging insects don’t pose a serious health risk, but the bites can be painful, itchy, or uncomfortable.
Fire ants are a common insect in Texas, and their stings are quite painful. Â These non-native insects are active in late spring and summer and will sting aggressively. The painful bites that result are not dangerous, and in most cases, you can manage fire ant bite treatment at home.
However, bites can get irritated or infected, and fire ant bite treatment may require medical attention. In rare cases, serious allergic reactions can occur, and it’s critical to recognize their signs.
The best way to deal with fire ants is to learn to identify them and avoid their nests. If you are bitten by red ants, it’s important to know how to treat the stings to minimize discomfort and when to seek professional medical care.
What Happens When Fire Ants Sting You
Fire ant stings occur when a person disrupts one of their nests, often by accidentally stepping on it. The ants swarm in response to the disruption and begin to sting aggressively in defense of their home.
Fire ant stings are different from mosquito bites or bee stings. Each fire ant can sting multiple times. A fire ant attack can lead to hundreds of stings, since many insects swarm over the skin and begin stinging. In addition, fire ants inject a venom that causes immediate pain. The venom damages skin cells, leading to pus-filled blisters.
The ants have a two-stage sting: first, they grip the skin with their mandibles, then sting 7 to 8 times in a circular pattern. The ants inject venom into the skin. The venom is a mix of alkaloids and proteins that cause a series of reactions:
- Immediate burning and pain
- Red bumps that are itchy and/or sore
- The bumps form white pustules within 24 hours.
What Do Fire Ants and Their Bites Look Like?
Fire ants are black and red or reddish-brown, and they are 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. They create large, dome-shaped mounds up to 18 inches across and 8-12 inches high. There is no visible opening in the mounds, unlike other anthills. If you spot a fire ant mound, stay away from it.
If you’re going to be outdoors in areas where fire ants are common, protect yourself and your family with insect repellent and always supervise children playing outside. Wear closed-toe shoes and tuck pants into socks in high-risk areas.
Immediate Treatment for Fire Ant Stings?
The first step in managing fire ant bites is to remove the ants from the skin. Brush them off quickly, but don’t slap them. Remove any clothing that might be trapping ants.
To treat fire ant bites, clean the affected area with soap and cool water. You can apply cold compresses to help ease the pain from the initial sting. If possible, elevate the area.
You can use over-the-counter remedies to soothe the pain and itching from stings:
- Hydrocortisone cream can ease itching.
- Oral antihistamines such as Benadryl or Zyrtec can relieve the swelling and itching.
- Pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen may help reduce pain from the stings.
The stings will develop into pustules within 24 hours, but you should never pop them. They are sterile, and opening them can increase the risk of infection.
If the pustule breaks accidentally, clean it gently with soap and water. Apply an antibiotic cream or ointment and cover it with a bandage if necessary.
If you or your child has been stung by fire ants, you can visit the nearest Next Level Urgent Care. Our medical staff has experience evaluating and treating many common insect stings in Texas.
Managing Symptoms and Healing
The effects of fire ant stings are the most severe in the first two days. Pain and itching tend to get better within 48 hours. Stings cause less discomfort once they develop into pustules, which dry out within 3-7 days. Most fire ant stings are completely healed within 7-10 days.
The best way to encourage healing is to keep the area clean and dry and to avoid touching or scratching the sting. Keep nails trimmed to reduce the risk of breaking the pustules and use anti-itch medicines to manage symptoms.
Keep an eye out for signs of infection, such as increased redness, warmth, pus, fever, or red streaks in the affected area. You should visit an urgent care facility right away if you suspect an infection.
Recognizing Infections and Allergic Reactions from Ant Bites
The proteins in fire ant venom are allergenic and cause a reaction. For most people, the reaction is mild and causes swelling, pain, and itching at the sting sites.
Some people are more sensitive to the venom and have a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction. Call 911 immediately if fire ant stings cause symptoms, including:
- developing a rash or hives beyond the sting area,
- swelling of face/throat/tongue,
- difficulty breathing,
- wheezing,
- dizziness,
- nausea/vomiting,
- rapid pulse
Severe reactions can happen within minutes, and they may be more likely if you have been exposed to fire ant stings in the past. If you have a known insect allergy, you should carry an epinephrine auto-injector at all times and use it as directed.
When Fire Ant Stings Need Medical Care
Call 911 immediately if fire ants or any insect stings cause anaphylactic symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, throat swelling, or loss of consciousness. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate care.
You can get treated at urgent care for fire ant stings if you notice signs of infection, severe pain, or worsening symptoms after 2–3 days.
You should also be evaluated if you have more than 20 stings, stings in sensitive areas like the mouth, eyes, or genitals.?
Children and older adults may be more likely to need medical care to reduce discomfort and risk of infection from fire and stings.?
Get Treated for Insect Bites at Next Level Urgent Care?
Most fire ant stings heal without complications. Allergic reactions to fire ants are serious but relatively uncommon.
Keeping the site clean and dry and avoiding scratching or popping pustules will help them heal more quickly. However, you should seek medical attention if you have questions or if symptoms don’t improve within a day or two of being stung.
The medical staff at Next Level Urgent Care has experience treating summertime injuries, as well as stings and bites from fire ants and other insects common to Texas.
Our 45+ locations across Houston, Austin, and San Antonio are open from 9 am to 9 pm, seven days per week, so you can get care when and where you need it. Walk-in patients are welcome, or you can use our mobile app to check in online.
