Ant bite child and adult: symptoms, what to do

Many people simply adore relaxing in nature: in a forest clearing, in a park or simply at their dacha. However, it often happens that even the best relaxation is spoiled by insects - in particular, ants. After all, an ant bite can be very painful. By the way, a common house ant, which sometimes lives mainly in the private sector, can also bite.

Are such ant attacks dangerous? What to do with the bite site, how to treat it? How to speed up healing? Agree, there are many questions on this topic. Therefore, we will try to answer the main ones.

Are ant bites harmful?

In most cases, an ant bite does not pose any danger to people. However, formic acid, which the insect releases when biting the skin, can be dangerous. In the presence of individual hypersensitivity, this acid can provoke the rapid development of an allergy, up to anaphylaxis.

Increased danger is also mentioned in the case when ant secretion gets on human mucous tissues – for example, in the eyes. The fact is that the acid does not always penetrate only the skin: the insect is able to “spray” the secretion at a distance of up to 0.3 m. Therefore, it is always necessary to be vigilant when in contact with ants.

What is dangerous about ant bites? Another possible harm is the increased risk of infection of the bitten area. The infectious agent often gets into the tissues if a person scratches the wound. This is absolutely forbidden. And if swelling and purulent discharge from the bite site appear, you must definitely consult a doctor.

Benefits of Ant Bites

Some people use ant bites for health purposes - for the prevention and treatment of diseases. The benefit is that formic acid is rich in zinc, enzymes, polypeptides and various organic compounds, which together have an immunostimulating and regenerating effect. Thanks to such therapy, it is possible to stop the development of diseases such as atherosclerosis, arthrosis, varicose veins, gout, radiculitis, as well as other chronic pathologies in the body.

Some adherents of this unconventional therapeutic method believe that ants bite in strictly defined places, directing the healing secretion directly to the diseased organ.

The essence of the therapy is as follows. Find an anthill in the forest, take off your outerwear, dip a birch broom into the anthill and use it to transfer the insects to your body. You need to protect your head so that the goosebumps do not move to your face and ears. The procedure lasts about five minutes. Then you need to move away from the anthill and shake off all the insects (you can use the same broom for this). If desired, the therapy can be carried out longer - up to 10-15 minutes. After returning home, you need to wash yourself with warm water, preferably in the shower. [ 1 ]

Such treatment may be useful, but it can only be carried out if you are sure that you are not allergic to ant bites. Otherwise, the therapy will cause a lot of complications and health problems.

Pathogenesis

Most often we encounter bites from common black or red ants. In addition to being divided by color, ants are also classified as domestic and forest: the latter are larger in size – up to about 8 mm. Bites from large ants are always more painful and take longer to heal, but damage from a tiny domestic insect can be not only small, but also practically unnoticeable.

A bite from any ant can significantly spoil your mood. But in most cases, these miniature creatures simply protect themselves from danger by attacking the enemy that has climbed into their home.

At the moment of the bite, a small amount of ant secretion - acid - penetrates the skin. This amount is enough to affect another insect, but for a person this microdose is too small and cannot harm. Another matter if there is a multiple insect attack, or an allergy to formic acid is present - in such a situation, urgent medical care is required.

Symptoms ant bite

Ants run very fast, so it is not always possible to "catch" the insect at the site of the bite. In addition, bite marks can also be located in completely different places - due to the rapid movement of ants.

The moment when an ant bites is hard to confuse with anything else: a sharp, pinpoint pain occurs, which is stronger than a mosquito bite. The affected area immediately reveals itself by the appearance of a swollen bump and localized or diffuse redness.

By biting the skin, the insect releases formic acid into the tissue – a toxin that can even be fatal in large quantities. Therefore, it is believed that single bites do not cause much harm to a person (unless he is allergic to this very acid). But multiple lesions, especially in children, are really fraught with serious health problems.

The first signs appear immediately after an ant attack:

• a red spot or dot on the skin;
• slight swelling, in the form of a tumor;
• pain;
• itching sensation;
• in severe cases – a feeling of nausea, dizziness.

If the victim has an allergy to formic acid, the symptoms will be much more pronounced and severe:

• heart rhythm disturbances;
• changes in blood pressure readings;
• speech impairment;
• itching and swelling of the skin all over the body;
• breathing difficulties;
• paleness of the skin;
• disturbance of consciousness.

If you notice the above symptoms, you should contact a doctor without delay: it is best to call an ambulance or quickly take the patient to the nearest medical facility yourself.

What do ant bites look like?

From the outside, the affected area looks like a mosquito bite, it just has a slightly larger size. Just like after a mosquito attack, itching and burning are usually present. With a hypertrophic reaction, a rash, swelling, and local increase in temperature may appear. Normally, such manifestations should disappear on their own within three or four days. If an allergic reaction develops, then additional signs often include rashes all over the body, local itching, difficulty breathing, and changes in blood pressure. [ 2 ]

Bites of different types of ants

There are mainly two basic species of ants living in our region:

• Domestic insects that live in residential buildings. Their size is about 3 mm, the body color is brown. Bites from domestic ants are rare: these are one of the most harmless representatives of the ant genus.
• Forest insects that are found in nature. Their size is always larger than that of their domestic relatives - up to 9 mm, and the color of the body is close to reddish-brown or black. These insects build specific dwellings - anthills. Bites of forest ants are really common, as they attack all living creatures that pose even the slightest danger to their life. If a person even accidentally damages their home or path, then he may well be attacked by ant "guards". Bites of such ant representatives are painful and can cause the development of allergies.

In general, there are dozens of varieties of such insects known on the planet – and many of them are quite dangerous.

For example, a bullet ant can bite much more painfully than an ordinary insect. In addition to acid, its secretions contain poneratoxin, a fairly strong poison and irritant. Many compare a bullet ant bite to a gunshot wound in terms of pain: such severe pain lasts for 24 hours, and only then begins to subside. These insects live in South Africa, so anyone planning to travel to South African countries should be careful.

Red ant bites, also known as fire ants, are especially common on the South American continent. However, these insects can also be found in North America, Australia, and even some Asian countries. Many compare fire ant bites to microscopic burns: the secretion contains the poisonous agent solenopsin, a powerful allergen that can cause serious allergic complications, including death. [ 3 ]

In our region, people are most often bitten by red ants - they are both domestic and forest, but it is mainly the latter that attack people. Red ant bites are quite painful and cause itching. Externally, they are accompanied by redness, similar to a mosquito bite. An attack by one ant is unpleasant, but not as dangerous as with multiple lesions.

Black ant bites are rare, as these insects almost never attack people: this only happens when there is a real threat to their existence. For example, a black ant can bite if it is pressed by clothing or a person's body. Such a bite is mostly painless and heals quickly, leaving no traces of tissue damage.

Many people wonder if the bite of flying ants differs from that of ordinary crawling insects. The fact is that flying ants are not a separate ant species. That is, they are the same ants that “grow wings” at a certain time for the purpose of reproduction – and these can be both females and males. Such insects themselves are not dangerous, and attack only when there is a threat to their life – in this case, from a person. Do not touch ants – including flying ones. This is the best prevention of an attack from them. A bite from a female ant generally has the same symptoms as from a male: redness, itching, transient burning and the appearance of a small inflamed tubercle.

As we have already said, an insect will never attack a person without clear reasons. The ant does this solely to protect itself, its relatives and its home. A bite from yellow ants, or any other ant representatives, can only be provoked by human activity, so be careful when going outdoors.

Summer residents, gardeners and those who often have to work on their gardens know firsthand what a garden ant bite is. True, the signs of damage can be radically different, due to the individual characteristics of human organisms. The pain is usually no stronger than a mosquito bite, but a red spot of varying sizes forms in the bite area, less often a blister. With a normal reaction of the body, discomfort and external manifestations are relieved on their own within 3-4 days.

The ant's body contains a lot of specific poisonous acid: the insect uses it not only for self-defense, but also for processing food. When meeting a person, the ant may consider that its life is threatened, so it prepares to defend itself: even the bite of an ordinary ant is accompanied by an injection of a small dose of acidic secretion under the human skin. Do not blame the insect for this: it is just the instinct of self-preservation and physiology.

In addition to the above, I would like to mention another ant species - the "German wasp", or so-called velvet ant. Scientists call the bite of the velvet ant one of the most painful bites of all known insects. The attack of pain subsides only after a few hours. In all other respects, the symptoms are similar to the bites of other ant representatives. Such insects are distinguished by beautiful and dense hair, and they live mainly in steppe and desert regions. For example, they can be found in all territories of southern European countries, as well as in the south of Russia and Ukraine.

Ant bites on a child

If the parents have an increased sensitivity to formic acid, it is possible that the child will also have a hypertrophic reaction to an ant bite. By the way, any child's body always reacts to insect bites more violently than an adult's. Multiple bites pose the greatest danger.

In some cases, signs of an allergy do not appear immediately: the bitten area turns red, swells, hurts or itches. Then the reaction becomes more pronounced: the swelling "spreads", the affected area expands. Most often, the condition returns to normal within a few days. But if such signs appear as swelling of the whole body or limbs, tachycardia, shortness of breath, dizziness, pale skin, rashes on the body, you need to call a doctor immediately. In children, the allergic process is faster and more intense than in adults. This must be taken into account and medical care must not be delayed.

Complications and consequences

In the case of a single bite and the absence of allergies in a person, there are no negative consequences. But after large amounts of formic acid enter the bloodstream, a severe toxic condition may develop, with allergic manifestations, up to anaphylactic shock and laryngeal edema with suffocation.

It happens that an ant bite causes a reaction not only at the site of the lesion, but also throughout the entire limb or even the body. For example, if the bite is on the leg, the entire limb may swell, and the swelling lasts for several days; cases of eosinophilic fasciitis have been described. [ 4 ]

Patients who are prone to allergic reactions often describe the following symptoms and complications:

• a rash appears far beyond the bitten area;
• the whole body starts to itch;
• vomiting and spastic abdominal pain occur;
• diarrhea begins;
• a feeling of heaviness appears behind the breastbone, breathing becomes difficult;
• the voice becomes hoarse, the tongue and larynx swell.

If the described symptoms appear, it is necessary to urgently contact a doctor, as there is a real danger of developing anaphylactic shock - a severe form of allergic reaction. If timely medical assistance does not follow, the victim's blood pressure will drop sharply, consciousness will be impaired, respiratory and cardiac activity may stop.

How long does it take for an ant bite to go away?

The healing time of an ant bite site mainly depends on the quality of the human body's resistance and the amount of toxic secretion that enters the bloodstream at the time of the insect attack.

Most often, a small red dot or bump, as well as itching and burning, goes away within two days (sometimes faster, or a little longer - up to 4-5 days).

If the bitten area is large and there is an allergy to formic acid, the healing period is extended and depends on both the quality of the person’s immunity and the timeliness and completeness of medical care.

If the victim scratches the bitten areas, the healing period is extended and the risk of complications increases.

Can you die from an ant bite?

A single bite from a common ant will not harm a healthy and strong human body. But for people who are prone to allergic reactions, who are hypersensitive to ant secretions, such damage can actually be fatal – if anaphylactic shock develops – an extremely severe form of allergic reaction. [ 5 ]

Here we are talking about a special development of the situation: the human body reacts so strongly to the toxic substance that not only the skin and mucous membranes suffer, but also the respiratory and cardiovascular systems:

• blood pressure readings suddenly drop;
• the whole body swells, including the larynx, which leads to respiratory dysfunction;
• hypoxia of the brain begins;
• all vital functions are disrupted.

Such symptoms indicate the development of severe complications, including rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure, hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to death. [ 6 ], [ 7 ] It is important to get your bearings in time, recognize an anaphylactic reaction and seek emergency medical help.

Allergy to ant bites

An allergic process develops if the human immune system overreacts to the introduction of a certain toxic substance into the tissues – in this case, formic acid. The allergy can be mild, transient, or severe, up to the development of anaphylaxis. Depending on this, the symptoms can be local or general. [ 8 ]

In mild cases, the victim simply feels a little itchy from the ant bite; the itching from the ant bite goes away on its own or after applying any antihistamine cream.

One of the most typical manifestations of such an allergy is urticaria. It is a rash of the blisters type, which itch, protrude above the surface of the skin, and sometimes merge with each other. Such blisters after ant bites should not be punctured or scratched. If you follow all the rules, then the acute form of urticaria usually goes away within 24-48 hours.

The patient does not always develop blisters: most often, only a small spot is found after the ant bite. The spot may swell slightly and peel. After a course of treatment with antihistamines, this manifestation disappears without a trace.

A small swelling after an ant bite may be a normal reaction of the body to the toxic agent entering the tissue. However, the spread of swelling to the entire limb, the appearance of swelling on the face or in certain areas (lips, eyelids, tongue) is a sign of a severe allergic process, which requires urgent medical care. Angioedema always has a dense consistency, the patient may experience fever, a drop in blood pressure, and impaired consciousness. In severe cases, breathing difficulties are noted. Such a reaction is a life-threatening condition. Therefore, any delay in medical care can lead to irreparable consequences. [ 9 ]

Diagnostics ant bite

A person does not always understand that he has been bitten by an ant. In some cases, the bite is discovered after the fact, when the "culprit" is no longer on the body. If after an insect attack the pain and burning go away on their own, without going to the doctor, then there is no need to worry. But if a violent reaction develops, it is important for the doctor to determine what exactly caused the pathology: was it an ant bite or another living creature.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics begins with the doctor asking the victim about the symptoms, initial manifestations, and the circumstances of their occurrence. This is followed by a medical examination with the possible inclusion of additional methods (measuring blood pressure, assessing cardiac activity and respiratory function).

The presence of immunoglobulin E is determined using skin tests and laboratory tests.

Evaluation of specific allergic antibodies in a blood test has a number of advantages and has no contraindications. One test allows you to check the reaction to many allergens. The basic methods are:

• radio-allergo-sorbent test;
• enzyme immunoassay;
• fluorescent enzyme immunoassay;
• chemiluminescent test.

If necessary, provocative and elimination-provocative tests are used.

Ant bites are usually differentiated from bites of other insects – mosquitoes, midges, spiders, bedbugs, fleas, scorpions, etc.

Treatment ant bite

If the ant bite is not accompanied by pronounced symptoms, then local application of drugs to relieve itching and remove redness will be sufficient. Such drugs can be Fenistil gel or products that contain panthenol. Ointments with hormonal components are used only on the recommendation of a doctor, since they have a large number of contraindications and restrictions. [ 10 ]

Medicines with antihistamine activity help eliminate swelling and itching caused by a bite. The most common are the second and third generation drugs – for example, Claritin, Loratadine [ 11 ]. However, first generation drugs also have their advantages: they have an impressive list of side effects, but they act faster.

When an acute allergic process develops, the doctor first administers an injection of adrenaline. After the vital functions are normalized, the patient is prescribed treatment according to the existing symptoms. [ 12 ]

What to do if bitten by an ant?

• Move away from the place where insects gather, such as an anthill or an ant trail.
• Remove or shake off the ants. Carefully inspect your clothes and body, find the bitten areas.
• If the limb is badly bitten, elevate it. Other areas can be treated with a cold compress or ice. This will help prevent swelling and relieve itching and numbness.
• If possible, wash the bitten areas with soapy water (ideally with regular laundry soap).
• Use topical antihistamine ointments (available at any pharmacy without a prescription) to reduce swelling and itching.
• If the swelling does not go away within a few hours, or the condition even worsens, you should consult a doctor.
• If blisters with liquid form, do not try to open them: they should heal on their own. If they do open, you should immediately treat the wounds - at least with soapy water, or a furacilin solution, or hydrogen peroxide.
• It is necessary to carefully examine the bite sites daily. If suspicious symptoms appear or the condition does not improve, then it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

What should you not do if you are bitten by an ant?

• You must not try to squeeze the poison out of the wound, scratch the blisters, pick at or cut the skin.
• To avoid infection, do not apply dirty objects or soil to the bite site, or touch the wound with dirty hands.
• Self-medication is unacceptable if there are signs of an acute allergic process (swelling of the face, slurred speech, impaired consciousness, itching and swelling throughout the body, shortness of breath).

First Aid for Ant Bites

First aid for an ant attack can be divided into stages. In general, assistance is provided depending on the situation: some of the stages can be skipped if the necessary means are not at hand (for example, if there is no laundry soap, then a soda solution can be used to wash the wounds, or simply clean water in large quantities).

1. Rinse the affected area with clean water (preferably running water) for 5-10 minutes.
2. Apply cold to the bite site, and if a limb is affected, elevate it.
3. Treat the ant bite with any disinfectant (if you don’t have any such products at hand, even vodka, or a crushed plantain leaf, or lemon juice, or a strong saline or soda solution will do).

The victim himself should drink warm tea and water – in large quantities. [ 13 ]

How to treat ant bites?

Even if you are going out into nature for a short time, take a first aid kit with you: sometimes the necessary minimum set of medicines helps to preserve your health and avoid troubles. What is recommended to put in a first aid bag:

• a bottle of alcohol or vodka;
• hydrogen peroxide;
• any anti-allergic ointment (for example, Fenistil);
• universal ointments such as "Rescuer" or "Zvezdochka" balm;
• antihistamine tablets (regular Suprastin is fine).

All of the above remedies will help well against both ant bites and attacks by other insects. First, treat the bitten area of skin with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, and then apply a little ointment (Fenistil or Rescuer). If necessary, you can additionally take an antihistamine orally.

If unpleasant symptoms such as redness and itching do not disappear, or even worsen, then you should not waste time: it is better to visit a dermatologist or allergist as soon as possible, or simply go to the emergency room.

Ant bite remedies

The following medications are allowed to be used as a means to help alleviate the condition after an ant attack:

• Zyrtec in solution form is taken in the amount of 20 drops per dose (the daily dosage is no more than 10 mg). Zyrtec tablets are taken one piece once a day.
• Telfast is taken in the amount of one tablet once a day, with water.
• Claritin is taken one tablet or 10 ml of syrup daily.
• Tavegil is taken at 0.001 g twice a day (as directed by a doctor, the dosage can be increased to 0.004 g/day).

Serious side effects are usually not observed during treatment with these drugs. Headaches, weakness, and fatigue are occasionally observed.

The discomfort from the bites should disappear within about two to four days of starting treatment. If the itching and pain do not go away, you should definitely visit a doctor. Allergic manifestations are treated on an outpatient basis, using complex medications: antiallergic and anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids.

Today, there should be no question about what to apply to ant bites; ointments for ant bites are sold in any pharmacy:

• Fenistil gel has an antiallergic, antipruritic effect, and acts as a local anesthetic. The gel begins to act within the first minutes after application to the skin. The drug is used 2-4 times a day.
• Lorizan gel is represented by the active component loratadine - a blocker of H ₁ -histamine receptors. The drug eliminates the main signs of discomfort - itching, burning, swelling - already 30-60 minutes after application. The product is recommended to be used 4 times a day.
• Cetrilev gel is a herbal external preparation containing silver nanoclusters, which facilitate the access of medicinal components to tissues. The gel is applied to the bitten areas three times a day until the unpleasant symptoms are eliminated.
• Psilo-balm is an antihistamine transparent gel preparation that should be applied to the affected areas up to 4 times a day. The product is suitable for use in children and adults.

How to relieve itching if you can't quickly go to the pharmacy? Folk remedies will help:

• make a paste of baking soda and water, apply it to the bite site, or lubricate it thickly, leave it for a few minutes or use a bandage;
• make a paste of salt and water and apply it to the wounds as a compress.

Excellent antipruritic action is provided by:

• Balm Zvezdochka (Golden Star) has a good antipruritic effect, thanks to its rich natural composition: menthol, mint and clove oil, cinnamon, etc.
• Menovazin solution is an excellent soothing agent for the bite site, as it contains menthol, novocaine and anesthesin.
• Menovasan ointment is an ointment form of the drug, a kind of analogue of Menovazin solution.
• Rescuer Cream is a universal natural remedy that can be used for both treatment and prevention of various skin problems, including ant bites.
• Boro-plus is a well-known antiseptic cream with a wide range of uses. This drug has antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, healing, antipruritic effects.

All of the above external preparations are usually well tolerated, and only in isolated cases may a local allergic reaction develop.

Folk remedies

An accessible and simple way to relieve the feeling after an ant bite is considered to be the following: mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 200 ml of warm boiled water, use the resulting solution for compresses on the bitten areas. Redness and discomfort will pass faster.

Another accessible method is to treat the affected area with a solution of ammonia (mix 100 ml of water and 20 ml of ammonia). For treatment, you can also use:

• fish oil;
• olive, clove oil;
• wormwood juice;
• apple cider vinegar, or regular table vinegar (not essence!).

A good anti-inflammatory effect has been found from lubricating the bitten areas with a cut onion. [ 14 ] You can also make dressings with fresh bay leaves. [ 15 ]

Herbal treatment

To quickly get rid of itching and rashes that appear after an ant bite, it is recommended to use a medicinal mixture based on mint leaves, young oak bark, and St. John's wort. An equal mixture of ingredients in the amount of 1 tbsp. is poured with 200 ml of boiling water, infused under a lid for 40 minutes. The infusion is filtered and used for making lotions.

If there is no time to prepare infusions, but you need to act quickly, then these simple methods will help:

• crush (pound) fresh parsley or plantain leaves. Apply the gruel to the bite area;
• apply freshly picked burdock or yarrow leaves to the wounds (can be applied under a bandage);
• apply aloe leaves (cut side towards the wound) or a cut of washed dandelion rhizome. [ 16 ], [ 17 ]

Homeopathy for ant bite

Some people are particularly prone to ant bites, for example due to their profession. Therefore, it is recommended that they take steps to alleviate or alleviate the unpleasantness associated with insect bites in advance.

In addition to traditional medicine, homeopathy comes to the rescue: this type of treatment has several drugs at once that can eliminate painful sensations, relieve swelling and itching after an ant attack. The drugs listed below are taken several times, 3-5 grains, until you feel better.

• Ledum palustre is a preparation of marsh wild rosemary that helps not only with ant bites, but also with hornets, fleas and even scorpions.
• Caladium seguinum is a remedy that eliminates even severe burning and pain from a bite.
• Apis mellifica – helps with piercing pain, hypersensitivity to ant secretions, and the development of an allergic reaction.
• Hypericum is a St. John's wort preparation that can be used to treat ant bites on the hands or feet.
• Belladonna - suitable for first aid after an ant bite.

Any of the above mentioned remedies are safe and do not cause side effects: they can be easily purchased in homeopathic pharmacies. In low potency – 6, 12 or 30 – the drugs can be taken independently. However, it will be much better if the medicine is selected by a competent homeopathic doctor during an individual appointment.

It should be noted that numerous studies have not provided convincing evidence that homeopathic medicines are clinically different from placebo. Until more convincing research results are obtained, homeopathy cannot be considered an evidence-based form of therapy. [ 18 ], [ 19 ], [ 20 ]

Surgical treatment for ant bites

The surgeon's help may be needed only when an infection gets into the wounds, when inflammatory processes develop in the skin and soft tissues. Opening and drainage of purulent foci, treatment of wounds, and assistance in their rapid healing are practiced.

In other cases, there is no need for surgical treatment.

Prevention

It is not difficult to avoid an ant bite. These insects almost never attack a person without reason: the main condition is not to disturb them and damage the home.

In general, experts give the following preventive recommendations:

• Before heading out into nature (no matter if it is a forest, a park area or just a private home), think about wearing long sleeves with tight cuffs. Shoes, such as sneakers, should be high.
• When choosing a place to stop or have a snack, take a good look around: there should be no anthills within a radius of several meters.
• Do not destroy anthills under any circumstances or try to harm the ants in any way.
• If you see an unfamiliar insect, do everything to avoid contact with it.

You should be especially careful if you are vacationing with children: an ant bite is much more dangerous for them than for adults.

Forecast

An ant bite usually does not affect a person's health and well-being, but it can leave a negative mark: this largely depends on the individual sensitivity of the body. Multiple bites in children and the elderly are considered especially unfavorable: these categories of patients are recommended to seek medical help even with single bites.

If the body is hypersensitive and prone to allergies, an insect attack can lead to the development of a severe allergic response, including anaphylactic shock and even death (if timely medical assistance is not provided).

Fortunately, in most cases, an ant bite has a favorable prognosis: the wound heals and disappears without a trace.