Fire ants sting can cause lots of uncomfortable feelings including itching, burning swelling, raised bumps, pus-filled lesions, or spreading redness on your skin within a few hours or more. There are some rare cases; however, fire ant bites can lead to death in humans because fire ant has the toxin similar the one of wasp sting or result in an allergic reaction. These symptoms appear after fire ants remove chunks of your skin with their mandibles, and fire ants sting with their venom. More than 220 species of fire ants are now found around the world. This writing will explore the top natural remedies for fire ant bites including how to treat the itching and prevent infection from fire ant bites.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Unlike formic acid found in the sprayed venom of other ants, the venom of fire ants is alkaline. Apple cider vinegar is one of the top natural remedies for fire ant bites. It works by neutralizing the venom and decrease the pain, itch, and inflammation caused by fire ant bites.
Direction:
Apply some apple cider vinegar on the skin areas stung by fire ants. Leave it and massage gently for 15-20 minutes.
Lemon Juice
If apple cider vinegar is unavailable, lemon juice with citric acid will work in neutralizing the alkaline venom.
Direction:
Apply some fresh lemon juice on the skin areas stung by fire ants. Leave it and massage gently for 15-20 minutes. You can also apply limes or fresh orange juice if lemons are unavailable.
Raw Potato
Raw potato is mildly acidic (PH= 5-6), so it is quite useful in easing itching and inflammation as well as reducing swelling caused by fire ant bites.
Direction:
Place some slices of raw potato on the skin areas stung by fire ants. Leave it for 15-20 minutes.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the great natural remedies for fire ant bites. It may reduce the itching, redness on the affected areas. Baking soda works as a wonderful natural acid neutralizer which helps lessen the effect of the fire ant venom. This also reduces the risk of infection from fire ant bites.
Direction:
Apply some baking soda water on the affected areas. Leave it for 15-20 minutes. If the itchy and burning feelings persist, you should apply the paste again after a few minutes.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a pretty effective home remedy for any type of itching, burning feeling and inflammation. Oatmeal contains soothing properties, anti-irritating, and anti-inflammatory which may relieve you from itching and burning feeling as well as reduce inflammation.
Direction:
Stir thoroughly some cups of oatmeal in a bathtub which is filled with warm water and.
Soak your body in this water for 30 minutes. If the itchy and burning feelings persist, you should repeat this after a few minutes.
Onion
Onion with potent anti-inflammatory properties is beneficial in treating various skin conditions. So, it helps to cure itch and swelling. Onion contains the sulfenic acid which can neutralize the venom and decrease the pain, itch, and inflammation caused by fire ant bites. However, the sulfenic acid turns into sulphuric acid, causing you crying in a few seconds when it reaches your eyes.
Direction:
Place some thinly-sliced onions on the skin areas stung by fire ants. Leave it for 15-20 minutes.
Raw Honey
Raw honey is another of natural remedies for fire ant bites. Honey contains antibacterial activity and skin-soothing properties which may lessen itch and swelling caused by fire ant bites quickly.
Direction:
Apply some raw honey on the skin areas stung by fire ants. Leave it and massage gently for 15-20 minutes.
Cucumber
Cucumber contains caffeic acid and ascorbic acid which may reduce itch and swelling caused by fire ant stings by neutralizing the alkaline venom of fire ants. Cucumber also contains anti-inflammatory properties which may cure and prevent inflammation on areas affected by fire ant bites.
Direction:
Apply some fresh cucumber on the skin areas stung by fire ants. Leave it for 15-20 minutes.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is really effective in reducing symptoms associated with the fire ant venom because it contains oleocanthal content which may inhibit inflammatory enzymes including COX-1 and COX-2.
Direction:
Apply some olive oil on the skin areas stung by fire ants. Leave it and massage gently for 15-20 minutes.
Eucalyptus Oil
According to researchers, eucalyptus oil has various antibacterial, antibiotic and immune-modifying properties such as eucalyptol, a chemical which helps to fight against skin irritation caused by fire ant bites.
Direction:
Apply some eucalyptus oil on the skin areas stung by fire ants. Leave it and massage gently for 15-20 minutes.
In conclusion, you need to be far away from fire ants as much as possible. However, in case of being attacked by fire ants, the top natural remedies for fire ant bites mentioned above are effective ways on how to reduce itchy and burning feelings from fire ant bites. If you enjoy our list of the top natural remedies for fire ant bites, please click like and share for more articles and leave your comments below.
Posted by Huyen My, a health and beauty expert at AllRemedies.com