My Kids Have Ant Bites

I would only be concerned if the bites or reaction is extensive. As a child living in an area with many red ants, and me being as clumsy as as was, I frequently had lots of bites. They itched - yes - but were not a big deal. There are some lotions and creams you can use to soothe the itching - same as for any other bites or allergic type reactions.

On the other hand, down in Central America, a classmate got his leg bitten terribly by a swarm of toxic ants and his leg swelled up like a tree trunk. Yes - in a case like that, it is something to be concerned about, and he needed hospitalization and antibiotics and other meds.

But usually - it is itchy but not a big deal unless you see it swelling up or later getting infected (which can happen from scratching it).

If he has a reaction I'd take him to the doc, but if it just hurts I would disinfect it and put some pain cream on it. When I was 5 my older brother (7 years old) kicked a hill of red ants on me at the bus stop when we got home from school. This lady whose son I played with carried me home and my mom gave me a bath... wish I could remember what else she did cuz I'm sure it hurt me a lot... it did when it happened but I don't remember afterwards.

Did they get bitten in the house or outside?

Ant bites, will get red/itch etc., much like mosquito bites.
But "Fire Ant" bites, are very sore and some may be allergic to that.

For my son, I put Bactine on it to prevent infection...since he scratches it due to itching.

If the ants are in the house... try to get rid of it.
Ant baits, Terro Ant Baits etc.

You can get "After Bite" at a lot of stores. It looks like a magic marker, just put it on any bug bites and it takes the itch out. In the mean time you can make a paste with baking soda and water and put that on the bug bites. Until I found the 'After Bite" I carried a washed out spice bottle of baking soda with me in the car for bug bites.

I got bit by a carpenter ant from my son's ant farm and based on talking with the nurse hot line there is no reason to be concerned (even if my kids had gotten bit as I worried about other escaped ants). However, it hurt like heck for a day or so. I kept a paste of baking soda on it.

Are you sure it's ants?

You can use bactine to disinfect the area, then cortisone to sooth the itching. Unless you see he's having a strong reaction (swelling, hardening of the site, etc), then give him a weight appropriate dose of benadryl tonight.

:)

Since you're in Texas, you can bet that it was fire ants. It will probably blister up tomorrow...don't pop them!

The best thing that I've found is to apply roll-on antiperspirant deodorant on several times a day. It needs to be the regular kind rather than an all natural brand. It is the aluminun salt that helps with the sting and itch.

This also works great for mosquito bites...takes care of them in a single application.

My remedy for bug bites is to make a paste of non-seasoned meat tenderizer (Accent) and water. Dab that on the bite and the stinging sensation goes away almost immediately. Sometimes I'll put a band-aid over it to keep it in contact. This works really well for ant bites, bee, wasp and hornet stings and the no-see-ums we occasionally encounter here in Colorado. I keep meat tenderizer in my emergency kit...you never know when or where you'll need it.