Surely at some point, especially in the summer season, you have come across the unpleasant surprise that there have been ants. And worse still, you have felt the ant bite in your own flesh.
If you thought that ants do not bite, we already tell you that this is not the case. They sting, and can become very painful. But, should something be done when you get stung? They're poisonous? Should I go to the emergency room? Believe it or not, some ants can endanger your life. so today We are going to explain about the ant bite and what you should do.
The ant and its sting
An ant is an insect that is generally quite calm. In fact, He doesn't usually go near where there are people, and if it does, it is because there is food nearby and its objective is the same, leaving the human being alone. Nor does he get upset when you pass near her and only when he notices that she is in danger does his first intention is to flee, and he does not put up a fight.
Actually, its objective is none other than to look for food to take it to the anthill, which is why, sometimes, it travels kilometers in your own body without realizing it. But what about biting? We have to tell you that yes, some ants can be somewhat more aggressive and bite. Although it is not usual.
Now, the problem is that those ants that are more "aggressive" can be a problem for your health. And the reason is none other than inoculating a poison that can be very dangerous. For example, we talk about red ants or black ants. That is why experts recommend that, when approaching an anthill, we be careful because, even when they are not poisonous, some ants, especially the largest ones, can attack you.
Ant sting: how is it
Focusing now on the ant bite, you should know that this is not as painful as others, but it is very annoying. Also, we are talking about a small insect, so when it bites, it grabs a very small part of our skin, so you feel it as a very strong pinch and, yes, painful, but it passes in a few seconds.
That does not mean that it is a pinch that leaves us a red zone and that's it. On many occasions you will have a welt and you will be able to see that, in the center, you have a white and somewhat swollen area. In fact, after a few days, that area will turn into a blister.
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You will feel, of course, a very severe pain (so we tell you in a pinch), followed by itching and swelling that will get worse as time passes. This will last you a few days before it starts to subside. But in general, it will not require going to the emergency room or taking special measures to treat you.
Another case would be that of red or black ants, which can be much more dangerous, since they are capable, due to their venom, of causing allergic reactions that can put you in danger. What are those? Well: problems breathing, swallowing, hives, swelling of the body (especially in the throat preventing breathing), fever, fainting, vomiting or diarrhea... If this happens, it is best to go immediately to a health center so that the patient is treated as quickly as possible.
How to treat ant sting?
Despite the fact that you try to prevent ant bites, it is possible that at some point you will encounter this situation and it is important to know what you should do to treat it. In fact, it is not much of a mystery, since the treatment is considered to be the same as any other insect bite.
Step by step, you will have to do the following:
Wash the area where the ant bite has occurred
This is important because that way you can disinfect that area. If the ant is still there, try to separate it as quickly as possible (and trying not to leave the head with which it has stung you in the wound, if so, use tweezers to remove it).
Then wash the area with soap and water. It is the most effective way to avoid an infection. Remember to also wash your hands so that everything that touches the area is disinfected.
Apply ice
Ice, or cold compresses, are a good option so that the swelling does not appear, but also to relieve the stinging that you may feel. Of course, do not apply it directly; you'd better put a cloth on top. First, because this way you will avoid getting burned by the ice; and, second, because you don't know if that ice is "disinfected", and thus it won't touch the wound directly.
Antihistamine
An antihistamine cream for ant bites is also usually very effective, although we recommend that you use it only after spending about 15 minutes on the ice so that the swelling does not appear (or at least it does so minimally).
Another option that works very well is a combination of bicarbonate and water; or a cloth with ammonia. What it does is neutralize saliva and venom, as well as your body's reaction to that sting.
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Do not touch the ant bite wound
We know that this is going to be the most complicated, because it will itch, sting, and if you get a blister, what you want is to pop it. But it's the worst thing you can do (because it will hurt a lot more). So try to arm yourself with patience to avoid touching it and let it subside over time.
Can ant sting be avoided?
Well yes, the truth is that ant bites can be avoided very easily: avoiding being near anthills or in contact with ants. It is the only way to ensure that these do not bite you since, in this way, they themselves will leave you alone.
If you usually go to the field and insects approach you, what you can do is spray your clothes with insect repellent so that they do not climb on you or bite you.