How to Treat a Fire Ant Sting

A fire ant sting starts out with a fire ant bite, which is followed up by the fire ant inserting its stinger over and over again. One of the worst parts of a fire ant sting is that people aren't often stung by only one fire ant; swarms of ants may bite and sting at the same time. Here's how to treat a fire ant sting.

Instructions

• 1

  Get away from the fire ant mound.

• 2

  Clean the area of the bite and sting thoroughly with soap and water.

• 3

  Elevate the area of the sting if possible, which will help reduce swelling. Otherwise, try icing the area: on for 10 minutes, off for 10 minutes.

• 4

  Use a pain- or itch-relieving ointment to relieve the burning sensation.

• 5

  Try an oral antihistimine if ointment doesn't help. If that doesn't help, seek medical attention.

• 6

  Try not scratch or break the blister that develops over the bite. This is especially true when the blister develops into a white pustule; breaking the blister can lead to an infection and scarring.