ok, so a few days ago i got bit by some ants. it was dark outside so i couldnt tell what type of ants they were. they started biting me and it felt like small hot needles stinging me, it didnt hurt much tho (thank God!) . so today my foot was itching out of control n it was swollen n when i would walk it would kinda hurt, n other times itll fall asleep. help me! what should i do! what can stop the itching,swelling, n pain n what kind of ants do u think bit me.
2007-07-03 13:15:20 · 12 answers · asked by ... 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ First Aid
yes i live in the south
2007-07-03 13:30:02 · update #1
i dnt think its fire ants tho coz theres no ugly bumps that they give you
2007-07-03 13:47:13 · update #2
okay i have a few questions for you...
1) is the itching relative only to the area you think you got bit or is it in more than one area?
2) does the area blanch when you touch it...in other words does the area get lighter when you push, and also is it red?
3) if you could describe the area a litte more, is it a regional swollen area, or many localized swollen dots?
4) when you mean it falls asleep do you mean it gets numb, or does it tingles like you sat on it?
5) do the bites swell up into white pustules or are they just red?
okay well from what youve given me ill give you my opinion, even though you said you don't think there fire ants, i do, fire ants are really the only ants that "attack" you (in the US that is), others can bite but they dont attack you, even if you stand in their mound, also you being in the south it fits the criteria, the good news is that if you were allergic you would have been showing symptoms by now, my suggestion is to mix a solution of half bleach (unscented) and half water and pour it on to the area, it will get rid of the formic acid (the main ingrediant in ant bite "venom"), just pour it on then pat dry (dont rub), also you can put some cortisone cream on or take an antihistimine to help itching. also aloa vera has been known to help with bites so you might try that as well. Good Luck! : )
2007-07-03 16:00:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Black or sugar ants don't sting or bite like that so I think you were bitten by a fire ant. And they call them that because the bite feels like someone inserted a hot needle into your skin. Now, what do do about the pain. Some things to try are: Calamine lotion, Benadryl liquid, hydrocortisone cream or a paste made with baking soda and water. Try one of these, if that doesn't work, try another. The pain and redness will go away after a few days. You can also apply an ice pack which will take the pain away by numbing the area. Just don't over do it. You don't want to get frostbite. Put an ice pack on the bites for 10 minutes at a time and then off 10 minutes then on. Do this three or four times a day. Good luck!
2007-07-03 13:22:29 · answer #2 · answered by Gayle 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you were bitten by fire ants.
Do you live in the south?
I stepped right on a mound while wearing sandles once and my foot hurt and throbbed for hours and hours.
You may have an allergic reaction to the bites since you said there was swelling. I would just go to a doctor and have him take a look at it.
2007-07-03 13:20:32 · answer #3 · answered by Nancy M 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Oh, God! They aren't ant bites, they are chigger bites. Chiggers love side walks. You shouldn't scratch them, no matter how much they itch, because it could cause an infection. Wash your hands a lot, so you don't transfer bacteria to the area when you scratch. Get some itch cream!
2016-05-17 21:13:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure they were from ants? Ants aren't usually nocturnal. You said it was dark out, so I'm assuming it was nighttime. I personally think that you were bitten by a spider several times. You really need to have it checked by a doctor because if a spider bit you, especially if it was a Brown Recluse spider, it could be very, very serious.
2007-07-03 16:04:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can buy some kind of spray on stuff that should help and if it doesn't heal after a while I'd see a doctor because that doesn't sound like a normal ant.
2007-07-07 13:12:51 · answer #6 · answered by smartypantsp 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That what you get for living in the south. I got bit by some tiny fire ants when I was in New Mexico. Those little buggers are persistant.
2007-07-03 13:18:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like fire ants... My son used to get bit by them and they didn't cause a rash or bumps, just a itchy burning sensation....
2007-07-08 07:45:03 · answer #8 · answered by Family 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be best to go see a doctor if you can. Otherwise take an antihistamine OTC like Benedryl, ice the area, and put some wet oatmeal on the area.
2007-07-08 15:07:03 · answer #9 · answered by banananose_89117 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put ice on your foot and use some itching cream to stop the itch and you were bit by red ants.
2007-07-10 06:23:34 · answer #10 · answered by samanatha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋