A couple of weeks ago I was working in my yard and accidentally stepped on an ant hill. I probably received no more than 5 bites. My ankle started itching and swelling. Within 45 mins my face had started to swell, I was covered in hives and was starting to get real short of breath. After 4 hrs in the emergency room with 2 doctors and 3 nurses watching and caring for me I was released. I am also allergic to LATEX which is bothersome , Because I am a nurse. Wondering if anyone else has the same problem.

Michelle

I just get hives. It's not so bad for me with the bugs. As for the latex thing. I'm really sorry for you. There are non-latex products on the market, but trying to get everyone to use them is a battle (latex is cheaper, I think) I have a semi-mild allergy to latex. As long as I'm not in physical contact with it for hours, I'm not too bad. I have blood tests that need to be done every 2 weeks or so & I couldn't get my old lab to pick up non-latex gloves. (the new one has them)

Hi Michelle,
I'm not allergic to ants,(that I know of) But I am allergic to other insects. I've had anaphylactic reactions to wasp and yellowjacket venom. Currently I am undergoing venom immunotherapy to become desensitized to them. There aren't alot of people in this forum with insect allergies, Or I haven't found them. I am almost done with the build up portion of my shots. I should start the maintenance shots in a couple of weeks. I think they also have allergy shots for the fire ant too.
Good Luck,
Ronnie

Hi Mmcginty This isn't about your question I wanted to ask you if you could answer some questions for me. I saw some of your postings and it sounds like you no alot I hope you don't mind. My Dad has full blown cirrosis of the liver. He got out of the hospital for this in Nov.2002 The doctor told him if he started drinking again he'd be dead in 6 months. Well he's drinking plenty. Im just waiting for him to start geting realy sick I think it's just starting. He is complaining of a stomach ache and having to poop alot he said it looks like snot. I guess he's had a few accidents in his pant . He has gall stones he's 60 yrs old. is this a symptom of the end what are the things that could start happening in the final stages of cirrosis. He left hospital against doctor's orders so he has no doctor. I'd appreciate any help and the sooner the better.
athiena35@aol.com

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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I found out about a year and half ago that I had a bad allergy reaction to fire ants. I ended up in the ER and the whole nine yards.

I have since started allergy shots for fire ants and other pollens, weeds, etc.

I have not had the same severe reaction since I started the shots. So i believe they do help. It is just a hassle to get the shots so often