To Pop or Not to Pop?

Just leave them alone for as long as you can.
When ever you have a blister it's better to let it pop on it's own (it will in a few days).
That gives the skin underneath a chance to heal before it's exposed as a weeping sore.

I was just telling my 11 year old last night that O. piece of time-tested good advice is:
"don't pick at it..."

ooh no!!! Popping is a bad thing!! So glad I saw your SWH!!

I bet those stings hurt REALLY bad!!! I'm sorry!!!

I did some searching...this one has an "advertisement" in it - but it gives pictures of the stings and what you can use..

http://www.fireant.net/Bites/

This is what one responder did - he's a "popper"

To Pop or Not to Pop the Pustules

There are two schools of thought about whether or not it is helpful to break open the pustules. One school says not to break them because it may invite infection. However, others say that the pustules must be broken open to release the toxins.

Our readers have reported that popping open the pustules has helped. If you do open them, thoroughly wash the area first. After popping them, spray the area with peroxide. Let it dry before applying anything else.

Here is what one reader had to say:
"After receiving 3 bites within 1 inch of each other on my hand, and one being between my fingers, my hand started to swell almost immediately. I was not able to apply anything until the following day. I am of the opinion 'break open the pustules". I sterilized a pin. Cleaned the area with soap and water and then with alcohol. After puncturing the pustule with the pin I gently pulled the skin to enlarge the pin hole slightly. Then using a cotton tip or Q-Tip I applied alcohol. I kept expressing the liquid for a few minutes and then reapplying the alcohol. I would rub the alcohol into the pustule opening that I created with the pin. BTW the itching was relieved instantly. After doing this several times and there was no longer any fluid coming from the opening I applied Calamine Lotion. Because of the location of the bites I could not apply a covering. But nonetheless this seems to work well for me. I hope others can benefit from my experience." - Joe Colao

Aftermath

Avoid scratching the pustule, which can lead to infections.

Severe allergic reactions to fire ants can be deadly. Seek medical attention immediately if you have any of these symptoms:

severe chest pain
severe sweating
slurred speech
loss of breath
serious swelling
nausea

Treat any bites that become infected.

It may make it feel better BUT you run the risk of infection and complications in healing. Last summer my oldest scratched his so much they opened and then they turned into a weeping, oozing, pussy mess which took much longer to heal. Arrrr.... Now I cover his bites in a thick layer of anti-itch cream and cover with band aids or press and seal. Resist the urge. Good luck.

NO!!!! If you can resist, do not pop.

I have had many fire ant bites..... and if you resist the urge to pop, it all goes away in a few days.... if you pop it, that sore may hang around for a couple of weeks.

I realize it depends on the severity of the bite... and that no matter what you do, some of the pustules do pop, just by accidentally bumping them. Those tend to be the bigger, deeper bites.

Good luck!

Oh golly, don't pop them. Have you talked to your doctor? Are you using Benedryl cream on them? That helps. Don't scratch! If you need to, you can take Benedryl orally as well.

Try not to pop.

I was working in Round Top at the Marburger Antique show. It is in this big Farm field under tents. We had fire ants in our area!!!!

I was attacked by them on one foot. Man they were relentless. I did end up popping some of them and I still have spots. The ones I did not pop are all healed. I did use Benedryl cream as soon as possible.. And I took a Benedryl when I got home and it helped a lot.

Don't pop them. They aren't pimples.

It makes it worse if you pop it, my leg will swell up if mine get popped or scratched, I hate fire ants.