I need a remedy for fire ant bites

[Philosophy]

Last weekend I got the bright idea to try to remove a fire ant hill in my back yard with a string trimmer. Initially there was a moment of masculine emotional satisfaction seeing the damn thing obiliterated, but I rapidly discovered that this was probably not the safest way to go when a good portion of the airborn ants and dirt landed on me, mostly on my lower legs and in my shoes, and a clod somehow on my back. Of course they proceeded to avenge themselves upon my body and I got about 100 painful and itchy welts.

These sores are just not getting any smaller - today I woke up and they are bigger and itchier than ever, and extremely aggravating. I got some Lanacane, and that stops the itching for an hour or two, but it doesn't seem to be helping them heal at all. Any home remedy ideas perhaps?

[fudge stripe cookays]

1. They will turn into pus pockets too...

Make sure to disinfect after you lance and then use some Neosporin on them.

I did this years ago, only it was a weedy bed and I didn't know there were fire ants in it until....they all attacked my legs in a coordinated maneuver. Yow!

We used to use this stuff called "GoJo." It's a creamy soap-like substance. I think my dad used to get it at the auto parts store, because it's for cleaning very dirty hands. I don't know if they still make it anymore, but it rocked on fire ant bites!

LEt me know if you find it! I've been wanting to see if they still make it, but keep forgetting.

reprehensor has always recommended putting toothpaste on mosquito bites, and it's pretty effective. You may want to try it on the fire ant bites and see if it helps. I think it might be the mint.

Next time use Amdro again!

Good luck!
FSC

[Philosophy]

4. I remember GoJo

I'll have to see if I can find some, thanks.

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. Best remedy: don't let 'em bite you

After that, I have nothing of value to offer in this thread. Terribly sorry. But I *am* singing the Lumberjack song, to provide at least a modicum of value.

[carpediem]

3. Hot water - I just read a page here that concludes with

hot water as the best cure for itching.

He said to make it as hot as you can stand it but not so you will scald your skin. Then let it wash over the bites. He says you will stop itching for a while.

snip - Why does this cure work?

The itching is caused by histamines produced by the insect bite or poison ivy rash. Exposing the affected area to hot water draws the histamines to the surface of the skin, where they are washed away.

This treatment is much more effective than any ointment, prescription or over-the-counter.

-snip

Here is the page: http://www.ralphrobertmoore.com/lately060901.html

I personally haven't tried this, but it makes sense to me. Good luck.

[Philosophy]

7. Oh yeah - you wanna try something that feels better than sex?

Back when I was in college we went looking for this cave on a hillside in the dark. Because it was dark we couldn't see that we were actually rolling in a large poison ivy patch. Afterwards I got a bad poison ivy rash that covered almost my entire body - even my face. The itching nearly drove me insane.

Then one miserable day I discovered that if I stood in a scalding hot shower, the itching transformed itself into almost unimaginable pleasure. It was like a full body orgasm. It would literaly make me shake and almost pass out. I don't know if it helped the healing process, but it was sure fun while it lasted.

It was almost worth rolling in the poison ivy just to feel that.

[SOteric]

5. 3 things:

1) Make sure there are no stingers left in the bites, - you may need a magnifying glass, a tweezer and an exceptionally good friend for this.

2) Calamine lotion twice a day. The pink stuff that dries up. It helps to remove the venom from the bite. Fuller's Earth works too, if you go the vegan/vegetarian route.

3) Don't scratch, find a mentholated topical cream like Noxema, or even Vicks and spread on a light coat of that instead. Scratching only spreads the venom and reintroduces that incredible itching sensation. A mentholated cream has the benefit of satisfying the nerve endings screaming for sensation without spreading the venom around.

Unless you're allergic, it's really just a matter of time and patience.

[Philosophy]

8. Thanks

I'll try that stuff. I think I may actually be a little allergic, so perhaps something with hydrocortisone would help.

[indigobusiness]

6. You can break down the proteins of venoms

with Adolphs meat tenderizer applied as a paste.

It works for 'man 'o war' stings', and many others.

You can use a topical anaesthetic to deaden the area. Anything with 'caine...lanocaine etc. Bactine should work.

[Philosophy]

10. Yeah, there's got to be something still in my skin

The sores have turned into hard nodules. I need to get it out I guess.

[Imalittleteapot]

9. Mitigator works.

http://www.fireantstings.com/

[Philosophy]

11. I haven't seen that stuff around

I'll have to look

[randr]

12. Believe it or not

Urine.

[Shopaholic]

14. Benadryl Cream works wonders

And you can take Benadryl pills too. The bad news is that according to my allergist, you can become increasingly more allergic to fire ant stings everytime you're bitten. That happened to me. I now have to have allergy shots for my fire ant allergy. Nasty little buggers! No wonder I requested an ant eater for my last birthday!

[FloridaPat]

13. Hydrogen perxide. If you use it immediately on the bites, it works

pretty good. Really sock the cotton ball.