Quote:
Originally Posted by graciegirl
I have avoided being bitten by the nasty little critters for four years but I was pulling out long strands of Zoysia that were invading my planting beds and I was bitten four times on the right hand by fireants.
My bites now look like this.
fire ant bites - Bing Images
I have read to not disturb the blisters and I have used CalaGel and Cortisone cream and they still sting and itch.
Now this is NOT huge and I am not a baby. (well maybe a bit of a whiner)
Any sage advice? |
I just read that fire ants do produce a venom. The old standby of calomine lotion and/or the cortisone cream does seem to work.
Also, ice it.
Back in 1973 we were walking with our two year old toddler son on a path by the beach when he stepped into a nest of fire ants. He was holding my husband's hand at the time (unfortunately, daddy saw nothing or would have walked around it).
After the screaming was over and we were safely back to our home, we did ice it and then I put calomine lotion on it.........not knowing anything at all about fire ants. He was fine.
However, he had the scars for a long long time.
This same child was attacked in Vermont by a swarm of bees.
Hope you are on the mend.............
How to Relieve Itching & Swelling From Fire Ant Bites | eHow.com
Click on hyperlink above ...........for some further info......they also mention the calomine lotion.
P.S. I just remembered that when we were all bit up by "sand fleas" at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, we were told to put "Avon Skin So Soft" on prior to sitting on the sand.
This was Vero Beach on the east coast. It seemed to work to deter the sand fleas; perhaps it will work when you are gardening........but not sure.