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Various home remedies may help treat ant bites instantly.
Various home remedies may help treat ant bites instantly. Some of the good home remedies for effective treatment of ant bites include:
- Washing the area with soap and running water
- Ants use their jaws to bite; hence, brushing them off your body with a towel or cloth is the best remedy to shrug them away
- Applying an ice pack on the site for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off
- Raising the part of the body where the ant bit to reduce swelling
- Applying 0.5-1% hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching
- Using a calamine lotion to be applied on the site
- Applying fresh aloe vera gel may help to soothe the site
- Applying tea tree oil that seems effective in treating the pain and itch
Rather than home remedies, some of the above measures can also be considered first aid treatments, which everybody should follow.
Some of the things that should be avoided while having an ant bite include:
- Applying ammonia solution to the site
- Applying a solution of half bleach half water
- Popping out an ant bite
- Using homeopathic medicines without consulting the physician
- Scratching the area
- Using vinegar or baking soda because they hardly help in case of a sting
- Using alcohol to wash the area
- Using astringents such as witch hazel
If the first aid treatments or above treatment doesn’t work, then it’s better to seek a doctor’s treatment, including:
- Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve pain and discomfort
- Hydrocortisone cream or ointment, antihistamine tablets, or crotamiton cream or lotion for itching
- Steroid tablets in case of severe symptoms
How to prevent ant bites?
The following measures may be useful to prevent ant bites:
- Immediately evacuating the spot where the ant bit you
- Wearing protective clothing such as thick socks and boots while outdoors
- Avoiding working in or around ant mounds
- Using insect repellants to deter fire ants
- Avoid stamping on fire ant mounds
- Do pest control of your home if they invade indoors
- Wearing gloves while gardening
- Teaching children to spot the ant nests and staying away from them
Periodic pest control of the house will help in case you recurrent attack by the fire-ants and carpenter ants.
When to contact the doctor?
Contact the physician if you observe the following symptoms:
- Sudden difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Hives
- Swelling of the lips, eyelids, or throat
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness