Fire ants, red ants and even black ants can cause painful bites that could cause swelling, blisters and severe skin itchiness. Scratching the skin with infected fingernails could sometimes cause secondary infections. Ants bite when they sense a threat to their safety and like wasps, they often attack in masses. As stated before, the common signs and symptoms of red ant bites include: swelling, white or reddish blisters with a water discharge, red circular lesions in the area of the bite along with pain, itchiness and inflammation. Let us study top red bite ant treatment and remedies you can use at home.
1. Baking soda
Baking soda is the best remedy for all types of insect bites. Make a paste of fresh baking soda with little water and apply it to the bite. The soda neutralizes the acid in the bite and calms inflammation. Repeat application 3-4 times through the day. In absence of baking soda, you can use plain kitchen salt which is equally effective in lowering the swelling.
2. Apple cider vinegar
This is another popular remedy for ant bite blister pain. Dab a little bit of organic apple cider vinegar on the blister. Let it air dry. The pain and stinging will reduce dramatically. This is also an effective remedy for black ant bite swelling. You can also use white vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar.
3. Aloe Vera gel
Aloe vera gel is another soothing remedy for ant bite symptoms. Apply lotion, cream or natural gel of Aloe plant all over the bite. Let it air dry, and repeat application as often as you need.
4. Essential oils for red and black ant bites
Many essential oils can effectively soothe ant bites caused by red, black or fire ants. Lavender essential oil is the best but you can also use oil of Oregano, Chamomile, Peppermint or Tea tree oils. Apply the oil of your choice neat or diluted on the blisters. Repeat application 2-3 times a day. You can also add a few drops of Lavender oil to bath water and soak in it.
5. Fresh lemon juice
At first glance, this might seem as one of the most inappropriate of all red ant bite treatment options. However, dabbing fresh lemon juice actually balances the ph of the skin, reduces inflammation, minimizes the risk of secondary infections and curbs swelling.
6. Borax
If you live in an area with insects, ants and spiders, it is important that you keep some Borax powder handy at all times. At the first sign of bites, apply diluted Borax (food grade) on the bitten region. You can also add Borax powder to bath water and soak in it to fight inflammation.
7. Cool compresses
Applying an ice pack or frozen vegetables is one of the best first aid remedies for ant bites, bee stings and insect bites. The cold helps lower swelling and soothes inflamed skin. Keep icing the skin for up to 20 minutes. You can also dip a clean flannel cloth in ice cold water and apply it to the bites. Add a few drops of Lavender or Tea tree essential oil to the water/compress to prevent infections.
8. Heat treatment
Many people have experienced relief from ant bite swelling and pain through heat application using a hair dryer. You can also run some hot water on the bites for up to 5 minutes. This draws out the poison and lowers swelling.
9. Grapefruit seed extract
Grapefruit seed extract is an anti-inflammatory remedy that soothes redness, swelling, pain and inflammation. Apply pure extract to the bites and repeat application every few hours for fast healing action.
10. Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is present in common acne medication like Clearsil® etc. It helps lessen the pain and swelling and also minimizes redness and irritation. Apply the medicine to the ant bite blisters and repeat several times a day.
11. Soap
Taking a bath with strong antiseptic/antibacterial soap can help lessen the pain, swelling and irritation caused by ant bites. Lather up the soap on the bitten areas and rinse off after a few minutes! That’s all it takes to get instant relief from ant bite pain, swelling and inflammation.
12. Campfire ashes
If you are outdoors camping and encounter fire ants, you can use campfire ashes as the best red ant bite treatment. Simply smear the ash on the bites and the pain will dramatically reduce.
13. Pure Emu oil
Keep a bottle of pure Emu oil on hand at all times to deal with insect bites, bee stings and other skin issues.
14. Comfrey poultice
Make a poultice of comfrey herb and apply it to the ant bite swelling. Keep the poultice on for at least 10 minutes and reapply as needed.
15. Papaya pulp
It pays to keep papaya pulp frozen in the refrigerator so you can use it for common skin ailments. Rub the pulp all over the ant bite blisters to get much needed relief from pain, itchiness and swelling.
Try these 15 remedies for ant bites the next time you are bitten. How long the bites last will depend on how fastidiously you use one or more of these remedies.