Beware the dreaded fire ants!

I've been suffering from multiple fire ant bites/stings on my foot for the last few days. They are dreadful creatures who bite without warning and whose stingers cause great pain and eventual blistering and just all-around awful effects. I made the mistake of putting some mulch around my pansies without wearing appropriate shoes and socks. I had on my Crocs without socks! And the dread fire ant crept into the hole of my shoe and attacked.

I've tried to eradicate several large fire ant hills from my yard, but I didn't think there were any ants around the place where I was working. I was wrong.

I've been taking Benedryl, using a hydocortisone cream and taking hot showers to combat the horror of it all. Anyone know any other remedies?

Comments

[Deb]

Don't know if this would stop the itch, but juice from your aloe plants might be soothing to put on after the hot shower. Hannah just breaks off a piece and squeezes out the goop and applies it to my poison ivy after I've taken hot showers. Might help some.

[Bet]

I read that somewhere, Deb, but it said for fire ant bites the aloe has to be put on within a few minutes of being bit. But still..... it could help.

[grant]

windex works pretty well soon after the bite.

[Bet]

Windex, hmm? Sounds weird enough to work!

I hope I don't get another chance to try it though. I'm staying as far away from the ants as possible from now on. My problem is I find it hard to see them in time to avoid them.

[Tammy]

Windex-sounds like somebody watched My Fat Greek Wedding!!

Sounds like what you are doing is the best.So far where we live in NC we haven't been bothered by red ants .We used to get them in Alabama near the mail box and really had to watch them.

[MICHAEL MANNING]

I was about to suggest the Aloe too, or a doctor visit.

[grant]

the windex remedy is indeed part of "my big fat greek wedding." however--my friend in med school recommended windex for a girl that had just stepped on a fireant hill. he explained that the ammonia would help.

[Bet]

I'd forgotten all about that part of the movie, Grant. Shows how much the plot sticks with me. But I have since read about using bleach! ...diluted with water, but still...I don't think I want to go around smelling like Clorox. Windex might be better. :)

[rob]

If you ever smell the product called AfterBite or look at the label, you'll know that ammonia is a main ingredient. So I guess the Windex idea isn't so unusual.

[Barbara H.]

Ouch!! Hope it is feeling better by now. My youngest son got attacked by fire ants once, but I can't remember what the treatment was. We took him to the dr. due to multiple bites and his being so young, but I forget what he gave us. Sorry to be of no help. :)