What Are Ant Bites?

Ant bites aren't always bites. The bites are usually stings and cause what is felt as a bite. These bites can also lead to painful or itchy spots and may result in allergic reactions.

Spider bites, flea bites, or even bee stings may come up first when talking about bugs and their interactions with humans. One well-known—but less-suspected—bug can leave a pretty nasty mark: ants. Here's what you need to know about ant bites—including symptoms, treatments, and prevention techniques—just in case you come across them.  

Types of Ants

There are quite a few different species of ants. Over 12,000 species exist, but not all of them sting. About 71% of ants sting. The rest include species that spray their venom or swarm and bite. Ant bites in the United States are actually stings, and the usual culprits are imported fire ants.

How Do Ant Bites Happen?

Fire ants sting you by first latching onto your skin with their jaws. The ants then sting you with a stinger located at the tip of their abdomens. The ants can sting you multiple times, making a circle as they go. Fire ants also unleash venom into the sting, which contains different piperidine compounds that cause pustules, or pus-filled blisters, to appear.

Symptoms of Ant Bites

A red, raised welt is the most common reaction to a fire ant sting or bite. The welt will go down the following day, but a pustule will likely take its place. Fire ant bites can also cause itching, burning, and pain.

Try to avoid scratching pustules. Itching and scratching can result in a secondary skin infection if the pustules are broken.

When To See a Healthcare Provider

Seek emergency or poison center care if you are stung by fire ants. Some people who get bit by a fire ant will experience more than a localized reaction on the skin. It's possible to be allergic to fire ant stings.

The stings could cause symptoms like:

• Diarrhea
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• Throat swelling
• Vomiting

The stings can also cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis may include symptoms like:

• Difficulty breathing
• Hives
• Loss of consciousness
• Palpitations
• Swelling in the throat

Diagnosis

A healthcare provider will look for the pustule in the place or places affected. It's helpful if they know the type of ant responsible. A healthcare provider will consider your medical history and if you are exhibiting other symptoms. They can determine the most specific diagnosis by conducting a skin test designed to detect immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE is an immune system antibody.

Ant Bites Treatment

Treatment depends on the severity of your reaction. If red welts are your only symptoms, treatment options include topical hydrocortisone, oral antihistamines, and cold compresses.

You'll need to clean pustules that break with soap and water and then apply an antibiotic cream. Treatment can include an antimicrobial if broken pustules get infected.

Take an oral antihistamine immediately if you know you're allergic to ant bites. Use an epinephrine injector (EpiPen) and seek emergency medical attention if you have a severe reaction because of a fire ant allergy.

Prevention

TWays to prevent ant bites include:

• Being careful when lifting objects from the ground
• Covering the hem of your pants with socks or boots
• Keeping an eye out for any ant mounds and not disturbing them

Fire ants are mainly a problem in the Southern United States. Be mindful of your surroundings anytime you're outside in one of these states.

A Quick Review

Fire ants are red-colored ants that build earth mounds, mainly found in the Southern United States. The ants can swarm and "bite"—or, technically, sting—if the mounds are disturbed.

Reactions to ant stings can vary from mild to severe. Severe allergic reactions will require a trip to the emergency room. Keep an EpiPen on you if you have a known allergy to ant stings, especially if you're in an area with fire ants. Try cool compresses and antihistamines to help calm any welts or irritation, and take measures to prevent getting stung in the first place.