Ant bites are common and, while occasionally painful, are rarely severe.
What is commonly referred to as an “ant bite” is actually anant stingcaused by a toxic venom.
Itching can sometimes last for weeks.
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Serious reactions, like allergies, are rare but can occur and may even be life-threatening.
Any ant bite that causes extreme swelling and breathing difficulties should be treated as a medical emergency.
These bright red, venomous ants typically sting around seven to eight times in a circular pattern.
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Their stings cause pinching, burning pain that eventually turns into intense itching.
These ants may be brown, red, or black.
Like fire ants, harvester ants are venomous and carry a painful sting.
Carpenter ants can bite hard enough to break the skin, but they usually dont cause allergic reactions.
Field Ants
Field ants (Formicaspecies) build their mounds outdoors, often in open fields.
There are many different species of field ants, which can be black or red.
They may bite humans, dogs, or cats if disturbed.
However, their bites are usually harmless and cause no more than a brief pinching sensation.
What Do Ant Bites Look Like?
Ant bite stings usually cause localized swelling and redness that look like welts.
The welts are typically less than 2 inches in diameter.
You may have just one welt or several, depending on how many bites you get.
People who garden often get bites on their hands.
Treatment
The treatment of ant bites varies based on their severity.
Most cases, while aggravating, are not serious and can be treated at home.
This is especially true of younger children who receive extensive bites on their body.
Popping a pustule could introduce bacteria into the skin, leading to an infection.
Calamine lotion can also help.
Sometimes more than one shot is needed.
Over-the-counter pain relief medications and topical steroid creams can relieve some of your symptoms.
Get medical help as soon as possible if your symptoms worsen or spread to other parts of your body.
Environmental Services Pest Control.Types of ants that bite humans.
Seattle Children’s Hospital.Fire ant sting.
American Association of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Fire ant allergy.
National Capital Poison Center.Stung by an ant?.
National Pest Management Association.Harvester ants.
National Pest Management Association.Signs of carpenter ants.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Fire ant bites.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Anaphylaxis.
American College of Allergies, Asthma, and Immunology.Insect sting allergies.
