Fire ants originated in Brazil, but have become established in the US, spreading throughout the southern states. Fire ants are certainly well named as they are famed for their searingly painful bite. I say bite, but it is actually a sting that causes the pain. The fire ant will bite down with its mandibles, anchoring its body, before injecting venom through its stinger attached at the end of its abdomen. A sting by fire ant causes severe pain that is short-lived, but the pain is replaced by long lasting itching that may be intense. In rare cases, fire ants can cause death in humans [1] as the toxin is similar in chemistry to a bee or wasp sting and may cause an allergic reaction. Unlike most ants whose venom is formic acid, the fire ant venom is alkaline and the fire ant bite treatments below reflect this important fact. If you need fire ant bite treatment, then take a look at our home remedies for fire ant bites as they will neutralize the venom and reduce the inflammation and itching.
Symptoms of fire ant bites and stings
Fire ants attack en masse, in huge numbers to hunt their prey or when their nest has been disturbed or is under threat. Each ant will sting multiple times, causing circular clustered lesions on the skin. The ant will rotate in a circle, stinging as it goes, before its venom is exhausted.
The fire ant bit and sting will first show up on the skin as a red welt. The sheer number of ants that may attack can produce multiple red spots that look similar to hives. The red bump will appear after a few hours and then after about a day, the red bump will become a small blister with white pus. The severity of the symptoms will depend on the individual as some are more sensitive to the venom than others.
For most, the red bumps/blisters will just be painful at first and extremely itchy for a few days afterward. It is very important that you resist the temptation to scratch as infections from fire ant bites are very common. Some the of home remedies for fire ant bites included below are anti-bacterial for this reason. The bite area should always be kept as clean as possible. Scratching will also increase the chance that the blisters scar when healed.
For some people, a more severe reaction may occur to the fire ant venom. Swelling around the bite area is common and while swelling that extends beyond the bite area may also occur. If there is a severe allergic reaction, symptoms of fire ant bites may be:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- diarrhea
- chest tightness
- breathing difficulty
- swelling of throat and tongue, with difficulty swallowing.
These symptoms of fire ant bite are the first signs of anaphylactic shock and medical attention should be sort immediately as drops in blood pressure, unconsciousness and cardiac arrest may occur.
Home Remedies for Fire Ant Bites
Before you get started with using natural remedies, clean the affected area with cold water and soap. For all fire ant bite treatments, you must avoid infection and try to keep the bite blisters that form clean until healed.
1) Ice Pack
Ice pack relieves you from itching, pain and swelling.
Wrap ice cubes in a towel and apply it on the affected area for 10 minutes and repeat as necessary.
2) Salt
Salt draws out the venom from the affected area [2].
Apply wet salt on the area of fire ant bite and leave it for about 30 minutes. For optimum effect, wet salt should be applied within 5 minutes of fire ant bite.
3) Raw Honey
Honey possesses antibacterial activity [3] and moisturizing properties which aid in soothing the skin. Raw honey reduces swelling and itching caused by free ant bites. It also quickens the healing process.
Apply raw honey on the affected skin. Rinse off after 30 minutes in cold water. Repeat if necessary.
4) Basil
Applying basil paste is effective in reducing irritation caused by insect bites [4]. Camphor, a compound in basil, is effective in cooling the affected area.
Add some basil leaves to two cups of boiling water and simmer it for few minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the water to come to room temperature. Filter the basil extract. With a clean cotton cloth apply the extract on the areas of fire ant bites. Repeat it till symptoms improve.
5) Aloe Vera
Since aloe vera possesses anti-inflammatory properties [5], it aids in soothing the skin and relieving pain and swelling.
Extract gel from aloe vera and apply on the bitten area. Let it dry. Repeat when necessary.
6) Onion
Onion has many health benefits. It aids in treating various skin conditions. Quercetin in onion possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties [6] that aid in curing itching and swelling. Onion is also an immune booster but sulfenic acid in the onion will neutralize the alkaline venom.
Place a slice of onion on the affected part. Let it remain for about 30 minutes.
7) Raw Potato
Raw potato is effective in reducing itching and inflammation [7]. It also reduces swelling caused by fire ant stinging.
Cut a thin slice of raw potato. Place it on the infected area.
8) Plantain Leaves Extract
Plantain contains mucus and hence has soothing properties [8]. Plantain also possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which cure inflammation. Plantain leaves extract relieves itching. It works both internally and externally.
Extract juice from plantain leaves. Apply the extract on the affected area. Repeat till symptoms subside.
You can also chew plantain leaf for relief.
9) Fruit And Vegetable Juices
Juices of fruits and vegetables soothe itching and reduce swelling caused by the stinging of fire ants. The mild acid in the fruit also helps to neutralize the venom.
Apply the juice on the bitten area and wash off after it dries.
10) Cucumber
Cucumber has cooling effect on the skin. It cures irritation and swelling [9]. Being an anti-inflammatory, cucumber cures inflammation. It also relieves pain.
Extract juice from cucumber and apply it on the skin.
11) Lemon Juice
Lemon juice reduces irritation and pain caused by fire ant bites. As the lemon juice contains citric acid, the acid neutralizes the fire ant bite poison which is alkaline in nature. Indeed, rival ant species such as the crazy ant use formic acid to neutralise the fire ants venom (19) and the same principle can be applied with any mild acid.
Take fresh lemon juice and apply it on the affected areas. Wash off after it dries.
Use limes or even orange jice if you have no lemons.
12) Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil possesses anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties [10] that aid in relieving itching and swelling.
Add a few drops of tea tree oil to a cotton ball. Apply it on the site of stings.
13) Olive Oil
Olive oil is effective in treating symptoms associated with fire ant bites.
Take a few drops of cold-pressed olive oil. Apply it on the affected site and massage gently. Repeat it till you find relief.
Olive oil can also be taken internally to boost immunity.
14) Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptol in eucalyptus oil possesses potent antimicrobial properties [11]. It relieves itching caused by stinging.
Pour a few drops of eucalyptus oil in a glass of hot water. Apply it in the affected site. Repeat till itching is reduced.
15) Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil soothes the skin and relieves itching [12].
Dilute peppermint oil in a mild carrier oil such as olive oil and apply directly on the affected sites.
16) Tea bags
The anti-inflammatory properties of tea bags [13] relieve itching and swelling caused by fire ant stings. Tea bags also possess powerful antioxidant properties.
Add 3 to 4 tea bags in hot water and steep for a few minutes. Apply the tea bags on the affected site after the bags cool.
17) Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar reduces itching and pain caused by fire ant stings. The acid in the vinegar neutralizes the venom. The anti-bacterial properties of apple cider vinegar prevent infection.
Apply apple cider vinegar on the affected areas. Leave it for some time.
18) Toothpaste
Peppermint or methanol in toothpaste provides a cooling effect, which comes as a great relief to those affected by fire ant bites. It reduces itching and swelling.
Apply some toothpaste on the areas of fire ant bites.
19) Aspirin
External use of aspirin helps to relieve pain and inflammation caused by fire ant stings.
Crush aspirin and add a few drops of water to it. Mix well to make a paste. Apply it on the bitten areas. Leave it overnight. Wash with water in the morning.
20) Alcohol
Alcohol reduces itching, pain, and swelling caused by fire ant bites.
Dab alcohol in the affected area. Repeat till symptoms improve.
21) Calamine
Calamine cures inflammation. It has antiseptic properties [14] and cooling effect. It soothes the skin and cures itching and pain.
Apply calamine on the affected area till itching and pain subside.
22) Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is an amazing remedy for fire ant stings. It absorbs poison and reduces swelling [15]. Hence immediate application of activated charcoal quickens the healing process.
Dampen a cloth and add activated charcoal to it. Press it on the affected area. Let it remain for 30 minutes. Repeat if necessary.
23) Clay
Clay possesses antibacterial and antimicrobial properties [16]. It has a soothing effect on skin, which aids in relieving itching and pain. It extracts toxins from the body.
Add some water to clay and mix well to make a paste. Apply the paste on the affected areas.
24) Cornstarch
Cornstarch soothes irritation and relieves itching.
Make a thick paste using cornstarch and water. Apply it on the site of bites. You can also add apple cider vinegar to cornstarch and apply. Cover with bandage. Wash off after few hours.
25) Milk paste
Milk paste relieves itching. Enzymes in milk powder help to break down a protein in the venom.
Mix milk powder and water. Add a pinch of salt and make a thick paste. Apply it on the bites.
26) Witch Hazel
Tannins in witch hazel is an astringent and aids in soothing infection [17]. Witch hazel is also anti-inflammatory thus aiding in reducing itching, pain and swelling.
Apply witch hazel on the affected sites. Wash off after few minutes. Repeat if necessary.
27) Oatmeal
Oatmeal is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory [18]. Oatmeal moisturizes the skin and relieves itching and inflammation.
Add oatmeal to lukewarm water in your bathtub. Soak for half an hour. Repeat till you are relieved of itching.
Do and don’ts of fire ant bites
- Act before they multiply. Use our natural remedies to get rid of ants.
- Never go barefooted. Wear boots. You can also tuck your pants into your socks so that your legs are fully covered.
- Know fire ant nests and stay away from them.
- Keep pets away from nest sites
- Never scratch fire ant blisters as they will infect and scar.
- Seek medical attention if there are any severe symptoms from the ant bites as anaphylactic shock can kill.
- Do not use alkaline based treatments that are recommended to neutralise generic ant bites. Most ants’ venom is formic acid. Fire ant venom is not an acid, but an ALKALINE and you must use mild acids in fruit and vinegar etc to neutralize it.
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