What a Fire Ant Is
There are many different types of fire ants, and they are found
all throughout the southeastern and southwestern United States. The
most common and aggressive kind is the red imported fire ant, which
is reddish-brown and measures about 1/8-inch long (about half the
size of a pencil eraser).
Red imported fire ants live in colonies that first nest in the
ground, and then create a mound of dirt over the nest. These mounds
can grow up to 18 inches high and over 2 feet wide! Red imported
fire ants' nests can be found on lawns, in parks, on
playgrounds, in fields, and in pastures. Some red imported fire
ants create nests in walls of buildings.
What a Fire Ant Sting Looks and Feels Like
A person who gets stung by a fire ant will feel a sharp pain and
burning. A person who steps on a fire ant mound will get a lot of
stings at once because the ants have been disturbed where they all
live together. Each sting will turn into an itchy white blister
over the next day.
What You Should Do
If you ever think that you have been stung by a fire ant,
tell an adult
immediately
. That's because the venom (poison) in the fire ants'
stings can cause the area of the sting to swell up quite a bit, and
a doctor may want to have a look to make sure you are not having an
allergic reaction. The symptoms of an allergic reaction include
hives (red patches on the skin that sting and itch), nausea,
dizziness, a tight feeling in the throat, or difficulty breathing.
If these symptoms occur, the person needs to get medical attention
right away.
But more often, you can follow these steps after a fire ant
sting:
- Wash the area with soap and water.
- Apply some ice to the area.
- Check with the doctor if you have redness, swelling, or
itching.
What a Doctor Will Do
A doctor may suggest giving a medicine called an antihistamine
to control swelling and itching. If you are having a more severe
allergic reaction to a fire ant sting, he or she may give you a
shot fights the reaction. People who know that they are allergic to
fire ant stings also sometimes carry emergency medicine that they
can give to themselves to prevent a severe reaction from
happening.
How to Avoid Getting Bitten
The best way to avoid getting bitten by fire ants is to keep
your shoes on when playing near fire ant mounds. If you come across
one, don't ever poke at it or try to play with it.
Reviewed by:
Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date reviewed: September 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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