Table of contents:
- Why should fire ant bites be treated so quickly?
- First aid after being bitten by fire ants
- When should I see a doctor?
Surely you are annoyed not playing when your skin is bitten by fire ants. Apart from the annoying itching sensation, your skin also looks red and swollen. Well, here are various ways and drugs that you can do when bitten by fire ants.
Why should fire ant bites be treated so quickly?
The venom that comes from the fire ant bite contains a mixture of 46 proteins. Usually, after being bitten, the skin may experience mild irritation.
However, there is a study showing that these toxins can affect the nervous system. In fact, it can make someone hallucinate after being bitten by this red insect.
Fire ant stings usually begin with a sharp pain, such as burning and pinching. Although it only lasts for a moment, the itching sensation then appears again but is more intense. Generally, this condition does not require specific medical treatment and will go away on its own.
In certain cases, fire ant bites will swell with extreme itching. The swelling will continue to grow for 1-2 days and feel hot and painful to the touch.
In addition, anaphylactic disease can occur although this is very rare. This becomes an allergic reaction quite badly due to being bitten by fire ants. Therefore, fire ant stings must be treated quickly if you do not want serious complications.
First aid after being bitten by fire ants
For most of the people, they don't need medical treatment to solve this problem. Enough with a few medicines that you can make and get at home, the sting of fire ants can be resolved.
- Washing the area that was bitten by fire ants with soap and water. Then, cover the area with a bandage. Do not use alcohol to wash the bite mark.
- Ice compress for 20 minutes and lift for 20 minutes anyway. This is in order to reduce swelling in the bite area.
- Apply hydrocortisone cream so that the itching can be reduced.
- Take antihistamines to relieve minor allergic reactions and itching.
- Using antibiotic ointment 3 times on the affected area. This aims to prevent infection of the sting that has been scratched.
- Soak in oatmeal to reduce itching.
- Using essential oils lavender to relieve pain and swelling. Lavender has properties that are soothing and reduce inflammation, making it effective in treating fire ant bites.
When should I see a doctor?
Even though it seems trivial and easy to deal with, being bitten by fire ants can actually cause quite serious symptoms, you know. So, if you experience the signs below, please go to the nearest emergency room for more intensive care.
- Out of breath
- Swelling is quite severe
- Loss of consciousness
- Chest pain
- Cold sweats and vomiting
- The sting is in the mouth
The cure for when you are bitten by fire ants is actually easy, don't panic. If you are bitten by any insect, including fire ants, try to wash the affected area with soap. After that, then you can apply it with an ointment or cream that can relieve pain and itching.
