Fire Ant Bites

[JHolcomb]

OMG. I think I have fire ant bites, but am not sure. At first, I thought it was poison ivy, but my rash isn't linear. More like a spotty rash, some spots which have pus in them. I can't imagine where I would have come into contact w/fire ants...I guess they live around here (NC and VA), but I'm not sure. All I can say is that it itches like MAD---a burning itch all over my feet (nowhere else). Anyone know the current range for fire ant populations? Or what else this could be?

[HeatherTx]

Sorry to hear about your bites. Have you taken some Benadryl? That will really help with the itching and stinging and make them heal quicker. It blocks the histamine from the ants poison. My DS is allergic to fire ants so I know how you feel. His usually feel better within two days.

[gertdog]

Jen,

Take a look at this website. I found a picture of fire ant bites that sounds like what you're describing.

http://www.ars.usda.gov/fireant/

Look under "The Problem... Venom" at the left side of the page for the picture.

Benadryl will definitely help.

Good luck-

Stephanie

[JHolcomb]

Thanks Stephanie. They don't look quite that bad (some are just itchy red bites, and some are more of a red circle with a dot of pus on top. Mmmm), but I checked out another site, and they do look like the ones on that site.

I'll call the pharmacist before I take a Benedryl since I'm already on an antihistimine (which is obviously not helping with the itchy bites). Right now I'm kickin' it with Poison Ivy Soap (eh, had some around, thought I'd try it on the bites), a calamine type lotion with clove oil and witch hazel in it, and oatmeal baths.

I hope that's what these are. Just hate having an unidentified itchy rash.

[JHolcomb]

http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~gilbert/bites/fireantstings.jpg

This is exactly what they look like.

[SusanL]

Eeeewwwwwwww! You must be in pain! On you feet, no less....

[wallycat]

Do you have any noxzema ?? try rubbing some of that on and then washing it off. The camphor and other menthol like ingredients should help with the itch.
Keep an eye on it and if they get worse, be careful they don't get infected...ick.

Sorry to hear you're dealing with it.

[sneezles]

I know exactly how you feel! My hands, legs and feet have permanent scars from the little bas^@rds!!!!! Hydro-cortisone cream and Bendaryl ointment/spray all work very well. Ice packs help at first for the fire!

[JHolcomb]

Originally posted by sneezles
I know exactly how you feel! My hands, legs and feet have permanent scars from the little bas^@rds!!!!! Hydro-cortisone cream and Bendaryl ointment/spray all work very well. Ice packs help at first for the fire!

How long is "at first"? They've been burning/itching like mad since early Sunday morning---about 4 AM or so. I think I got bit Saturday at Busch Gardens.

P.S. The ointment with the clove oil and witch hazel works really well for an hour or so!

[sneezles]

Well, I take a Benedryl as soon as I become aware that I've been bit. Depending on how many bites there are determines how long long I use the ice packs. I seem to have built up tolerance for the bites but know immediately when I've been bitten.
One time I was standing in a mound (unaware at the time) putting the boys in the van. Got behind the wheel and started to drive home by the time I had moved about 100' both my feet were on fire. I had to stop in the middle of a four lane road to remove my shoes and socks (and dancing around like a fool in the middle of the road). That time I had to ice quite often.