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FAQ #850

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What should I do if I get stung by an imported fire ant? How do I treat the pustules?

Related resource areas: Imported Fire Ants


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Treat fire ant stings as you would the stings of other insects. Keep the wound clean to avoid secondary infection. After several days, the fire ant venom will kill some tissue and the wound will appear as a raised pustule that takes about 10-14 days to heal. The pustules should not be popped. Intact pustules are thought to heal faster and do not tend to get infected. Most people are not highly allergic to fire ant stings. However, some people react with excessive swelling, itching, shortness of breath, thickening of the tongue, sweating, etc. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these symptoms of severe allergic response.

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