I unknowingly put my hand in a nest of fire ants in Florida and was bitten 13 times. Any remedies?
My hand is badly swollen. I can’t move one finger. I am not allergic to the painful, stinging, itching bites but I am concerned about the swelling. I did this while doing pushups in a Florida park. The fire ants were vicious. They did not let go until I physically removed them. They were latching on like something fierce. Now the bites look like they are filling with pus. Will ibuprofen help with the swelling? Benadryl topical cream? Please help. Thank you so much.
Some of these answers are not answers at all. They are hateful insults that have nothing to do with the topic. I am asking for a little help here.
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Other Acne Information
- The History of Fire Ants and Other Fun Facts « ABC Home Blog
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Oooooo ouch!!!
I would think that benedryl would help. Not ibuprofen with the swelling but maybe with the pain.
My best suggestion would be call your doctor and just find out. You probably do not need an appointment they could give you good helpful tips over the phone!
i dont know…but did you do it on perpose and did you acutally count the bites??J/W
You did what!? Real smooth ex-lax. So, how were you able to type this question then? Why don’t you use your fat swollen finger and dial 911 like normal people do! LOL! Oh, and you had to mention that it happened in Florida. Like we care where it happened. Not only did you loose 5 pts. but you may loose your hand too!!!! LOL! too funny! Go smoke a blunt, it may not help, but it’ll help forget about the pain!
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002843.htm
This article describes the effects of a fire ant bite.
Poisonous Ingredient
* fire ant venom
Where Found
Fire ants are found the southern United States and other areas that do not freeze in winter.
Symptoms
* body as a whole
o swelling around the site of bite
o pain at the site of bite
* respiratory
o difficulty breathing (for those allergic to fire ants)
* heart and vessels
o rapid heart rate (for those allergic to fire ants)
* eyes, ears, nose, and throat
o swelling in the throat (for those allergic to fire ants)
* skin
o redness at the site of the bite
o itching at the site of the bite
o pustules (pus-filled blisters) that last 3-8 days
o possible decay of skin and formation of a scab at the area of the bite that lasts 3-10 days
Home Treatment
The best treatment is prevention where possible.
For those who have an allergy to insect bites or stings, it is important to carry a bee sting kit (which requires a prescription) and become familiar with how to use it if necessary.
Place ice (wrapped in a washcloth or other suitable covering) on the site of the bite for 10 minutes and then off for 10 minutes. Repeat this process. If the patient has circulatory problems, decrease the time to prevent possible damage to the skin.
After a bite, call Poison Control or a hospital emergency room for guidance if the person has an allergy to the insect. It may be necessary to go to the hospital if the reaction is severe.
Before Calling Emergency
Determine the following information:
* the patient’s age, weight, and condition
* identification of the insect, if possible
* the time when the bite occurred
Poison Control, or a local emergency number
They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. If possible, bring the insect to the emergency room for identification.
What to expect at the emergency room
Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:
* Give prescribed medications by injection or orally
* Establish and maintain an airway if needed
* Treat the symptoms
Expectations (prognosis)
The sooner appropriate treatment is started, the better the outcome. Patients not allergic to fire ants should be completely fine in a few hours to a few days.
Treatment
No specific treatment is prescribed for fire ant bites. However if certain symptoms exist, medical attention may be necessary.
For ordinary local stings, it is recommended that you apply cold compressions and oral antihistamines. Anti-inflammatory ingredients such as Corticosteroids are also good for mild irritations.
If you do have several stings, systemic corticosteroid is necessary to ease the allergic reactions.