Stung by a really big black fire ant...

[The Vail Benton's]

I was stung a couple days ago by a single fire ant - the big black kind, not the little red kind. It climbed up my leg inside my pants and stung me several times on my thigh before I was able to get inside the house and remove the offending insect from inside my clothing. Within an hour the site swelled to the size of a quarter - no big deal. By yesterday morning it had swelled to the size of a saucer. I wasn't worried. But by mid-morning today the swelling had covered most of my thigh and become quite painful & hard. I've applied ammonia, lemon juice, hydrocortisone cream, and ice from the time of the sting through today. I don't know if any of it is helping or not. Does this sound like a normal reaction to a fire ant sting or should I be more worried? Is there something else I should be doing or using or applying? I sure do welcome your suggestions!

 

[sufficientforme]

I would be taking some benedryl also.
Here is a good article I bookmarked for my family since we have numerous fire ant areas on our land.
http://www.acaai.org/public/advice/Fire_Ant_Stings.htm

 

[miss_thenorth]

Oh my.... we don't have fire ants here, and by the description of your reaction, I am really glad we don't.


With a reaction that big, I would also second the benedryl. and keep up with the ice.

 

[The Vail Benton's]

Thank you! I will take some Benedryl and keep icing it. Thank you for the link to the website too!

 

[sufficientforme]

Your welcome!