The Sting
For an unlucky person who wanders onto a colony (or is photographing the nest), bites will happen! The immediate sensation of a fire ant sting is one of intense burning at the area of a raised red welt, which subsides after 30 to 60 minutes. Within 24 hours, the affected area will develop pimple-like areas filled with white pus, a characteristic only of fire ant attacks. These lesions rupture over two to three days and are accompanied with reoccurrence of itching, pain, and swelling. The wounds often scar.
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ACEP Now: Vol 40 – No 06 – June 2021Although most stings are merely painful and annoying, up to 16 percent of people can have anaphylactic reactions and require immediate treatment for life-threatening allergic symptoms.
Care of the Fire Ant Sting
- The area should be washed with soap and cool water.
- Isolated local symptoms are managed with ice, anti-inflammatory medications, topical steroids, and antihistamines.
- Advise patients not to scratch or break the blisters, although from personal experience, this guidance is difficult to follow.
- Maintain vigilance for superinfection and the development of local infection.
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