Cherusker

Michelle,

Yes, I am also allergic to ants and I figured it out yesterday (Monday). On Saturday I was bit by an ant (only one) and I also touched a lot of plants, which made it difficult for me to tell what caused the rashes. A little bit later, I got red rashes all over my body. On the inside or my arms, on my hip, my legs, my face and forehead. My whole body was itching and I was scratching everywhere including my scalp.

I took a bath with oatmeal. This helped a little bit and then I just relaxed, reading a book. I also noticed that I had the feeling if there was a weight on my chest. I did not have problems to breath, but it was not normal. Next day everything was gone and I was ok, but anxious to figure out what caused this issue. I could not believe that one ant could do this to me and thought that one of the plants had a poison (e.g. poison evy or something). Ok, I did not need to wait so long to figure out.

On Tuesday (three days after the first incident), I stepped into an anthill by mistake and got around 10 - 20 bites. I was still thinking that the rashes from Saturday were caused by a plant, but I noticed very quickly that my whole body started itching and my head got very hot. Fortunatly this time I did not have problems with breathing, but I had the feeling that the rash came quicker than before. Maybe I only noticed it quicker. The itching was not as bad as on Saturday, and I am convinced this is caused by the fact, that I kept self control this time and did not scratch at all, although it was itching. This is very important for me know. No scratching! It makes everything worse.

I went to the doctor (emergency) and he gave me a shot in the bud. I left the doctor after an hour and after two hours the rashes looked better. The next everything is gone. But I still need to take the medicine cocktail:

- Ranitidine
- Prednisone
- Benadryl (oral form)

I try to prevent ant bites now with killing all ants in the yard (so far I only killed them when they were close to the house). I use a white powder from Home Depot. I use a small pole to open the ant hill and then put the white powder into the hill. This kills the queen in 24 hours and every ant is gone by then.

Furthermore I use an orange peel spray from Wal Mart which is not toxic to humans but it kills ants and prevents them from entering the house. I cannot believe how I would react if I wake up and ants are crawling all over me.

Furthermore I will use shoes and thick socks when working outside. This should protect me against these little beasts.

Does anybody have any tips or hints regarding ant allergies?
What do you use as an emergency kid?

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