Fire ants present a particular problem, in that most human-ant encounters result in multiple stings for the human. That’s because disturbing their mound sends thousands of fire ants to the attack, all of them capable of repeated stings because they latch on with their mandibles and chomp away.

This results in boil-like blisters that can appear within a day. It is recommended that you visit a medical professional if you are bitten by fire ants because the real danger lies in a secondary infection of the blister areas. Topical ointments and careful cleaning can prevent infection and may help with itching relief.

Allergists and Future Solutions

Talk to an allergist about your past history with bug bites, including where they occurred and your reaction. You may undergo a skin-prick test, in which a small amount of blood is drawn to gauge reactions to insects.

If you are diagnosed with an allergy, you may receive an epinephrine auto-injector. This is the only treatment approved for anaphylaxis and must be used immediately upon being bitten to ward off the onset of the reaction. Because those who have been reactive once to insect bites are at risk for having a worse reaction the second time, it’s wise for those afflicted to have two such epinephrine auto-injectors on hand. This is true even if your reaction was several years in the past. The system’s ability to react to insect insults persists for many years.

Your allergist may recommend that you undergo allergy shots, which can build tolerance by giving you tiny doses of insect venom. This can take up to five years, but it will lessen the chances of a cataclysmic reaction in the event of an insect encounter.

Whatever your region’s bugs, keep in mind that most healthy adults who are bitten regard the results as more of a nuisance than a life threat. Take reasonable precautions, and you should be able to enjoy the great outdoors with minimal discomfort.