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Guide On Ant Stings -Symptoms and Treatments
Guide On Ant Stings
You’re outside, sitting on the grass with a bunch of your friends. The weather is great and you’re having a fun time. Suddenly your entire body feels like it’s on fire. Your skin burns. You look down only to find that a bunch of ants have come to ruin your time out.
Do All Ants Sting?
Whenever you see a colony of ants, you’re probably going to be wary of them. You’ll keep your distance from these insects, thinking that they might bite you if you get too close. But is it reasonable to be afraid of all ants, or are there just a handful of nasty species who sting? As it turns out, all ant species have the capacity to bite or sting you, but different species have stings that differ in severity.
How Do Ants Sting?
The severity of the sting depends on how the ant stings you. Most ants will release some acid from their mouths. This drops onto your skin and causes some sudden and intense pain. Some other species, however, take a more painful approach. These ants will first bite you with their mandibles before releasing the acid. It’s not the bite that makes these so bad. It’s the fact that the ants release the venom under your skin.
Why Do Ants Sting?
Like most animals out there, ants have two primary reasons to sting someone. The most common reason is to defend themselves. An ant is likely to sting you if it feels like you’re threatening it or its colony. Other ants sting when trying to catch prey. This usually isn’t the reason you get bitten. You’re too big for a couple of ants. Yet ants sting plenty of other animals and insects so that the colony can have food.
Worse Ants to Sting You
You can shrug off most ant stings, but there are some that will cause you lasting pain. Your skin will feel like it’s on fire, and you’ll start having blisters. Swelling will also be a common side effect, and many people will even have an allergic reaction. These awful bites are usually attributed to red ants and fire ants.
What to Do About an Ant Sting?
Most ant bites aren’t severe, so you only have to wash the affected area with cool water. A cold compress will also help, but it mainly reduces any swelling and itching you might feel. If the bite is more severe or you have an allergic reaction, you’re advised to seek medical attention.
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