Ant bites
Ants are dangerous to humans
Among the six thousand species of ants, only a few species represent a threat to humans. These can be insects that secrete especially toxic enzymes when bitten, or those whose numbers are very large in a certain place.
Nomadic ants
The first group includes nomadic siafu ants living in Africa and the South American continent. They differ in that they do not acquire anthills, the reproduction process takes place in temporary bivouacs formed by the bodies of working individuals that have grasped by their jaws. The structure has a spherical shape, which to the uninitiated seems to be a disorderly accumulation of ants, but in reality is subject to a certain order. For the main time of their existence, the siafu colonies migrate, looking for food.
Representatives of this subspecies are distinguished by a frightening appearance. With a height of one and a half centimeters, these ants have jaws that exceed the size of their heads. But the female is even more spectacular, her body in length during the period of egg laying can reach 5 cm. It is she who is recognized as the largest and most prolific ant, since she is able to release about 130 thousand eggs every day.
It is noted that the bites of this species of ants are extremely painful; they often cause serious allergic reactions, especially if the victim is in the midst of a moving colony. But there are no known deaths from attacks by these insects. The main diet of siafu is representatives of other species of insects, less often they attack small frogs, lizards, and bird chicks.
Ant - bullet
The bites of this insect bring unbearable pain, comparable to the effect of a bullet wound, which is explained by the content of poneratoxin in its poisonous secret, the strongest toxin in all nature. Hence the definition of this ant. Since the bites remain painful for at least a day, the alternative name for this ant is “24 hour ant”.
If we compare the pain sensations according to a special Schmidt scale designed for such cases, then the victim experiences pain of the highest IV level, surpassing burns and injuries by other insects in this.
The length of individuals allows them to be ranked among the largest ants. The size of working insects reaches one and a half centimeters, and females - three. The habitat of this species is South Africa. It is there that the bites of these ants are included in the ritual of initiation of men, after which a limb that has undergone massive bites can be paralyzed for several days, be insensitive and turn black.
Ant is a bulldog
Although the modest size of this insect does not allow it to become the record holder for the largest, it compensates for this by the number of deaths after its bites. For example, in Tasmania, the number of victims of bulldog ant bites exceeds the number of deaths caused jointly by poisonous spiders, snakes and sharks.
Their bites cause acute allergies, in three cases out of a hundred it is accompanied by anaphylactic shock. Moreover, even those who, without allergies, endure attacks committed by other ants or related bees, wasps, run the risk of suffering from these individuals. Therefore, the effect of a bite is always unpredictable.
Red fire ant
He also owes the name to the features of his bite, but it is considered the most dangerous not so much because of the pain and the poison it contains, but because of the ability to easily adapt to new conditions for him, quickly spread on a global scale and disrupt the stability of biocenoses existing in a new place. Appearing in Brazil, the fire ant has made its way to Australia, China and the southern United States on merchant ships. Today, this insect can be found in Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines.
Red ant bite
According to the well-known Schmidt scale, the bite of a red ant is equivalent to a fire burn. At the moment of the attack, the fire ant drives poison with solnopsin, a harmful toxin, into the wound. Every year, around the world, there are several thousand cases of human infection with this species of ant, some of which end in death due to anaphylactic shock. Almost all bitten people report a strong allergic reaction. Not only people, but also domestic and wild animals can suffer from attacks of fire ants.
Despite the exotic nature of the habitats of the listed species of ants, everyone needs to know about them, especially tourists, so that a vacation abroad does not turn into harm to health.
Domestic and forest red ants
The more familiar species of these insects that live in forests and dwellings can also be dangerous, therefore they deserve careful consideration.
Representatives of red forest and domestic ants belong to different subspecies. They differ in appearance and have individual biological characteristics. Forest insects create structures that are unique in terms of construction and are engaged in the destruction of organisms harmful to the environment. Domestic individuals are interesting for the special organization of their families, which allows them to take root even in very unfavorable conditions for them.
Individual individuals of forest ants can grow up to nine millimeters in size, while their domestic counterparts can hardly overcome the 3 mm mark. It is by this sign that they can be recognized and the source of their appearance can be determined. Coloring can also tell you which of these insects is in front of you. Ants living next to humans are brown, complemented by light stripes on the abdomen. An individual from the forest has a black body, only the lower segment of the head and chest are colored red.
Bites of domestic and forest red ant
Household and forest ants are 2 different species. They differ not only in size (forest 0.7-0.9 cm, and domestic ones are several times smaller), but also in habits. The bite of a domestic red ant is practically painless, moreover, a house ant rarely attacks a person.
The red forest ant begins to sting the one who disturbed him in any way and his bite is quite painful, resembles a mosquito, causes itching, redness and other unpleasant consequences. A single bite is certainly not dangerous, but massive bites can cause an allergic reaction.
Content:
- Ant bite symptoms
- Consequences of ant bites
- The benefits of ant bites
- Ant bite treatment
- Preventive measures
- How to get home ants out?
Ant bite symptoms
These insects can quickly move around the human body, so the localization of bites can be different, but most often wounds form on the lower limbs, arms and in the pelvic area. The victim experiences a pain syndrome similar to a mosquito bite (unless it is an exotic species of ants that can cause much more suffering). At the site of the bite, a small red spot is formed, which can be supplemented by skin edema, cause inflammation and itch.
In allergy sufferers, ant bites can turn into nausea, sensations of severe itching that spreads to the whole body, headaches, increased heart rate and lower blood pressure, as well as swelling of the face and limbs. The severity of the symptoms will depend on the number of bites, the more there are, the more pronounced the manifestations.
The condition of the victim of ants can be complicated by such side effects as hives and angioedema. The first is the body's reaction to the ingestion of a toxin from an ant secretion into a person. It is manifested by specific red skin rashes. The blisters that arise with this form of allergy are of different sizes, sometimes they can combine into a single formation, delivering constant unpleasant sensations of burning, itching and inflammation.
If a lot of edema of different sizes begins to appear on the body at a fast pace, it makes sense to talk about the presence of such a disease as Quincke's edema. The affected area is primarily fatty tissue and mucous membranes of the eyes, larynx, lips. If the swelling is located near the larynx, it can lead to difficulty in breathing, up to and including its termination. Therefore, the appearance of the initial symptoms of the described disease indicates the need for immediate contact with a medical institution.
Both side effects from ant bites can pose a certain threat to human health and life, therefore, such symptoms require professional treatment.
Consequences of ant bites
Usually, a wound inflicted by this insect does not pose a danger to humans. All side effects are due to the ingestion of formic acid, which can cause allergies, as well as anaphylactic shock.
See also: first aid for anaphylactic shock
The danger increases when this substance enters the mucous membranes, since in this case it begins to spread through the body with the blood stream. The risk of infecting these areas is quite high, because the ant can spray its acid at a distance of up to 30 cm and it does not have to bite through the skin in order to introduce a toxic substance. Damage to some types of formic acid can be fatal.
Another threat is associated with the possibility of infection of the resulting wound when combing. If the site of the bite remains edematous and pus is released from the center of the injury, you should seek medical help. Bites on the child's body deserve special attention.
The benefits of ant bites
There is a practice of using ant bites for medicinal purposes. The effectiveness of this method is explained by the presence of a large volume of organic zinc complexes in formic acid, which have good immunostimulating and antioxidant properties. In addition, these elements are able to protect the body from the action of free radicals, atherosclerosis, and various chronic diseases.
Ant poison has other advantages, it has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, bactericidal, analgesic and cleansing effects on the body.
Ant bites are used to treat sciatica, back pain, varicose veins, arthrosis, gout, sprains, bruises, fractures and dislocations. Enzymes, biogenic amines, polypeptides, heterocyclic compounds, as well as acids - formic, propionic, acetic and isovalerianic, were found in ant venom.
People who have chosen this unconventional way of dealing with ailments are convinced that ants do not bite randomly, but through vibrations they are able to feel the diseased organ and direct their healing acid to the right place.
The treatment procedure can be carried out as follows: in the depths of the forest, an anthill is found, before reaching it a few meters, a person undresses to his underwear, plugs his ears with cotton wool and makes a broom from birch branches. Approaching the dwelling of ants, he periodically lowers the broom into an ant heap and thus transfers insects onto himself, while trying not to let them fall on his head.
The treatment process takes about 5 minutes, after which the person moves away from the anthill and shakes off the ants with a broom. If the procedure is successful, the next time the duration can be increased to 10 minutes, the number of sessions can vary from 10 to 15. Upon returning home, take a warm shower.
There is another way to use ant bites locally and selectively. To do this, take a piece of gauze the size of a headscarf, put 3 handfuls captured from the anthill into it, and carefully fold it into a tourniquet. It is applied to the site of pain (joint, spine) and left in this position for 3 hours. After this time, the contents of the gauze are returned to the anthill.
Shirts made from natural fabrics (cotton, linen) are used to treat a child. They are placed on an anthill and allow its inhabitants to crawl on the fabric for about forty minutes. After that, the clothes are shaken well and then put on the child. It is believed that the healing properties of such shirts can last up to 3 days, so several copies can be prepared for a subsequent change.
Patients with arthrosis, gout, fungus and arthritis can put shoe insoles on the nest for a few minutes so that the ants soak them with their acid.
Knowledgeable people recommend using the same anthill for treatment, there is an opinion that insects are able to adjust the secret of their bite for a particular patient.
It is important to remember that the bites of some ants can cause allergies in a person, anaphylactic shock and even cause death, therefore, before starting treatment in this way, you should check which type of insects will participate in the procedure and track the body's reaction to their secret.
Ant bite treatment
Not everyone is able to use such advice from traditional medicine, most people are uncomfortable with ant bites. Therefore, you need to know the measures that will help cope with the unpleasant symptoms of an insect attack.
Here is a sequence of actions and measures that will allow you to minimize harm from interactions with ants:
- It is necessary to move as far as possible from the source of the appearance of insects, most often this is an anthill or an ant path. This should be done immediately upon the discovery of individual individuals or after the appearance of tangible bites.
- Then you should try to remove insects from yourself, this can be difficult, because they clamp the human skin with their jaws. The ants must be torn off and thrown to the ground. It is not recommended to press them in this case, from this they can begin to bite even more intensely.
- After getting rid of biting insects, you need to identify the location of the bites. If they are localized on the limbs, the damaged areas of the body should be raised, this will reduce the swelling from the injury.
- When you get to your home, you need to wash the bite sites with soapy water, simultaneously cleansing the skin of any dirt and debris that can later become sources of infection.
- To reduce the manifestation of such symptoms of an ant bite as itching, swelling and numbness, it is recommended to apply a cold compress to the damaged area for a period not exceeding 10 minutes. To prepare it, ice is placed in a bag, wrapped in a thin cloth and applied to a sore spot. This measure can be used every hour.
- You can take the help of antihistamines or hydrocortisone ointment, which are sold over the counter without a prescription. They will relieve pain and itching. Before using these funds, you need to read the instructions and, if possible, consult a doctor.
- The swelling usually subsides a few hours after the bite, but a blister may form. It cannot be scratched, otherwise it may burst and pierce, otherwise the risk of infection increases. If the blister is damaged for some reason, it should be washed with soapy water. The damage should be kept under control and at the first sign of infection - loss of color or suppuration - seek immediate medical attention.
ethnoscience
Alternative options for treating bites are offered by traditional medicine. For this purpose, she recommends using vodka, alcohol, or cologne. Rubbing with a saline or soda water solution, aloe juice or tea tree oil is no less effective.
Modern medicines
After an ant bite, you can use Zyrtec, Telfast, Claritin, Tavegil preparations. If a child is injured, fenistil gel will be a suitable remedy.
Unpleasant symptoms from an ant bite should go away by the fourth day, if this does not happen, you need to see a doctor.
An allergic reaction to ant bites is treated in a hospital setting with antihistamines, epinephrine, or steroids. In this case, self-medication is unacceptable.
Preventive measures
Avoiding ant bites can be much easier than treating the effects. Since these insects rarely attack for no reason, the main thing is not to disturb them.
Here are some more recommendations:
- Going to places where ants live (forest, park, private sector), you need to choose the right clothes. It should have long sleeves, tight-fitting edges. If possible, you should use closed high shoes, under which you will definitely have socks or stockings.
- Before a picnic or rest, you should carefully examine the proposed resting place. If there is an anthill nearby or an ant trail is nearby, the rest is unlikely to be pleasant.
- There is no need to ravage anthills or deliberately harm insects.
- Fallen fruits in the country can serve as a habitat for ants, so they should be taken with caution, and if possible, not touched at all.
- When traveling to other countries, it is recommended to avoid contact with unfamiliar insects, even if they look quite familiar and harmless.
It is important to familiarize children with these rules, for whom the consequences of ant bites may be most dangerous.
How to get home ants out?
If insects living in nature rarely affect a person without a reason, then individuals living in dwellings are sources of constant discomfort. And, although they practically do not bite people, they spoil food, spread germs, and cause aesthetic inconveniences, so they cannot be called welcome guests.
For the fight against these insects to be successful, three basic conditions must be met:
- Choose a highly effective means to destroy them.
- Apply it in strict accordance with the instructions.
- Agree on destruction with neighbors and carry out the procedure together.
If even one of the points is not met, the destruction of insects will be ineffective or temporary.
The following remedies are used to combat domestic ants:
- insecticidal gels;
- insect aerosols;
- crayons and dusts;
- mechanical destruction of individual ants and their nests;
- folk remedies;
- seeking help from professionals specializing in pest control.
Each of the above methods has its advantages and disadvantages, so only practice can identify the most effective options.
When the fight against domestic ants is successful, it is important to consolidate the result and prevent their reappearance. To do this, as a preventive measure, special deterrent preparations are laid out in places of possible penetration of insects and simple traps are used. But maintaining the cleanliness of the room does not play an important role in this case, because even in a carefully cleaned room, ants will constantly visit in search of food.
Author of the article: Danilova Tatyana Vyacheslavovna | Infectionist
Education: in 2008 received a diploma in General Medicine (General Medicine) at the Pirogov Russian Research Medical University. Immediately passed an internship and received a diploma of a therapist
