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| FIRE ANT ALLERGY
By Geeta Khare, M.D. How serious are fire ant allergies? Fire ant allergies are extremely serious. Though some allergic reactions may be mild, some may advance to the point of becoming life threatening. This life-threatening allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis and requires immediate medical attention What kind of problems do fire ant allergies cause? Allergic reactions to fire ants may be as mild as just some localized swelling. As the reaction progresses, you may develop hives all over your body. Angioedema which is allergic swelling, usually of the lips, tongue, eyes or throat is even more serious. You may experience wheezing or difficulty breathing. Of course the most concerning type of reaction is Anaphylaxis. When this occurs, you may find yourself feeling lightheaded, indicating a dangerous drop in blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain in addition to all of the other symptoms listed above. Some people with severe allergy, do not progress slowly through the milder reactions to the more serious but immediately experience life-threatening anaphylaxis. Where should I look out for fire ants? Fire ants build their nests on the ground, usually where it is somewhat moist. In open fields, these nests appear as large mounds. Nests may also be found hidden under other items such as tree stumps, rocks or other objects. What should I do if I’m stung? The two common issues related to fire ant stings are taking care of the actual sting site and managing an allergic reaction. The sting causes a sterile pustule. It’s important not to “bust” this pustule. If it itches greatly, you may find over the counter topical agents that will help. The pustules will often rupture on its own after two to three days. At this point, it is important to keep the area clean in order to avoid infection. If you suspect that the site is developing an infection, see your doctor right away. After the pustule ruptures, you will often develop a small scar that will gradually heal and fade. If you develop an allergic reaction, you need to contact your doctor immediately. Severe allergic reactions require aggressive emergency treatment. If you do develop any degree of allergic reaction, see you doctor for advice about developing a crisis management plan. When should I see a specialist? If you have a moderate to severe allergic reaction, you should see a Board Certified Allergist/Immunologist. If you need specific advice on how to avoid, treat or prevent fire ant stings, you may also find that a visit to a Specialist will be helpful. What treatments can a specialist offer? A Board-Certified Allergist/Immunologist will be able to help you assess your risk of adverse outcomes. She will also be able to offer you immunotherapy for fire ant. What is Fire Ant Immunotherapy? Fire ant immunotherapy is injections of gradually increasing doses of fire ant extract. This treatment can often result in a long-lasting decrease or elimination in your sensitivity to fire ant. In a sense, it is the only chance for a cure for fire ant allergy. How can I prevent fire ant sting? The first step in fire ant avoidance is awareness. Make sure you wear closed toed shoes when you are outdoors. Survey the area you are in for any nests. Engage a pest control service to eliminate any nests within your own yard. How do I know my ant bite was caused by a fire ant? Obviously, if you can see the insect that bit/stung you, you can have it identified. However, typically, if you have a sterile pustule at the site of the “attack” about 8 hours after being stung, that speaks for the sting being from a fire ant. How is a fire ant attack different from other ants’? Other ants bite and then spray the bite area with formic acid. Fire ants bite to get a hold of the skin and then sting with the other end of the body and inject venom under the skin. This venom is a toxic alkaloid and has insecticide and antibiotic properties. The venom causes a burning sensation. This may be where the term “fire ant” came from. If fire ants are from South America, when and how did they get to the United States? Most likely, fire ants were brought to the United States from Brazil to the port of Mobile, Alabama in the 1930’s. Since then, they have spread and are now prevalent throughout the southern United States. “Khare” is pronounced “KHA-ray”. To learn more about fire ant allergy and other health information, log on to www.panamacityallergy.com. Our topic next month will be “Autumn Pollen Allergies”, email questions about this or any other healthcare topic to panamacityallergy@yahoo.com. IMPORTANT: The information providied is of a general nature and should not be used as a substitute for professional advice. If you think you may suffer from any disease that requires attention, you should discuss it with your doctor. |