How to Treat Fire Ant Stings: Immediate Steps and When to Get Help
For most people, fire ant stings can be treated at home. Wash the area with soap and water, use a cool compress to ease pain and swelling, and avoid scratching or popping any pustules that form. Seek emergency help if you develop trouble breathing, swelling of the lips or throat, or other signs of a serious allergic reaction.
Fire ants can sting repeatedly, so one encounter may leave several marks. The stings often burn at first. Small white pustules may appear over the next day and usually heal without treatment. Itching can last for several days.
Home care for fire ant stings
- Wash the skin. Use soap and water to clean the affected area.
- Apply a cool compress. Wrap an ice pack in cloth or use a cool, damp cloth for short intervals. Do not place ice directly on the skin.
- Ease the itch. Calamine lotion or over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream may help with localized itching. An oral antihistamine may help when itching is widespread or interferes with sleep. Follow the product label, and ask a pharmacist or clinician if you are unsure whether a medicine is appropriate for you or a child.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends simple home care measures for routine insect bites and stings.
Try not to scratch. Scratching can break the skin and raise the risk of infection. A white pustule is a common reaction to fire ant venom; do not squeeze or pop it. Keep the area clean, and cover it loosely if clothing rubs against it.
One example
If you notice several stings on your ankle after being outdoors, wash them with soap and water and apply a cool compress. Use an itch-relief product according to its label if needed. If white pustules appear the next day, leave them intact and keep the skin clean. Watch for signs of infection or an allergic reaction.
When to seek medical care
Call emergency services for signs of a serious allergic reaction, which can include:
- Trouble breathing, wheezing, or tightness in the throat
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
- Hives or swelling away from the sting sites
- Dizziness, fainting, or severe weakness
A reaction can progress quickly. Do not wait for symptoms to pass. If the person has an epinephrine auto-injector prescribed for allergic reactions, use it as directed and call emergency services. The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology lists symptoms of insect-sting allergy and advises people with a history of systemic reactions to seek allergy care.
Swelling around a sting can be part of a local reaction. Contact a clinician if redness, warmth, pain, or swelling keeps getting worse, or if you notice pus, red streaks, fever, or chills. These symptoms may point to infection, especially if the skin has been scratched or opened.
A sting inside the mouth or throat needs urgent medical assessment because swelling in that area can affect breathing. Get prompt medical advice for a sting in or near the eye, too.
People who receive many stings, or who feel unwell after being stung, should contact a healthcare professional for advice. The right response depends on the person and the symptoms. For general information about insect bites and stings, see MedlinePlus.
Reducing the chance of more stings
Fire ants may sting when a mound is disturbed. When gardening or doing yard work, wear closed shoes and gloves, and look at the ground before kneeling or sitting. If ants are on you, move away from the mound and brush them off promptly. Avoid swatting at the mound or handling it.
The CDC’s fire ant guidance includes information about fire ants and ways to reduce exposure. If someone has had a systemic allergic reaction to a fire ant sting, they should discuss prevention and an emergency plan with an allergist.
Key Takeaways
- Wash fire ant stings with soap and water, then use a cool compress for comfort.
- Calamine lotion, over-the-counter hydrocortisone, or an oral antihistamine may help with itching when used as directed.
- Do not scratch or pop pustules. Keep the skin clean and watch for signs of infection.
- Trouble breathing, throat or tongue swelling, dizziness, or hives away from the stings require emergency care.
- Stings in the mouth or throat need urgent assessment. After a systemic reaction, seek advice from an allergist.
