Ant bite doesn't get better! What to do!?

**shiney mew** · 09-26-2008, 08:52 AM

All right, so we didn't have cable pretty much all last week, thanks to Ike. So I was happy to see a small white truck parked across the street and a ladder on the nearest telephone pole... Wednesday or Thursday... I do remember the guy telling me he couldn't fix it and it might be a few more days, and going to my aunt's house on Thursday for internet... so anyway, I go outside barefoot like I always do in nice weather to see what's going on, and this big black ant does a hit-and-run on my toe. So this thing looks and feels similar to a mosquito bite, and no matter how much of my spray I use, it still looks and feels similar to a mosquito bite, exactly the same as it's been, for over a week. What do I do? It's really annoying!

**Breadpazoid** · 09-26-2008, 08:56 AM

You know the answer...call your doctor! You should be able to leave a message and get a callback - no reason for an office visit.

if you want my honest opinion, he probably left a chunk of mandible with you, either that or the area is fighting an infection perhaps. Have you tried squeezing the bite wound and disinfecting it?

I remember I got stung by a bee or wasp when I was 3 or 4 on the side of my hand next to my thumb. The pain and swelling went away but I remember for nearly 10 years after that I had a red dot right where I was stung. It's gone now, why after all this time is a mystery to me, but it was there for ages!

**shiney mew** · 09-26-2008, 09:01 AM

It hasn't gotten any worse and doesn't itch 100% of the time, though. How long do ant bites usually take to heal?

**Skittles** · 09-26-2008, 09:20 AM

Since I have abnormal reactions to bug bites, spider bites and ant bites, mine take at least 2 weeks to heal up.

If you're having a reaction, it will be VERY hot to the touch, not even really itch, just burning to the touch. But having it for a week, I wouldn't be concerned IMO. Some people react differently to bites.

Large black ants I'm pretty sure are carpenter ants, there's no venom if they bite you, but their bites still irritate the skin.
And quit trying to itch it

That's partially why my mosquito bites take forever to go away, because I have the desire to itch those bad boys!

**shiney mew** · 09-26-2008, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by Skittles

If you're having a reaction, it will be VERY hot to the touch, not even really itch, just burning to the touch

Nope, I haven't got that. Just the usual bug-bite-on-toe itch (the mosquitoes were terrible this summer).

And quit trying to itch it

That's partially why my mosquito bites take forever to go away, because I have the desire to itch those bad boys!

I don't, a whole lot. Believe it or not, I try to either leave it alone or spray it. :P

**javi** · 09-26-2008, 09:29 AM

use preperation h hemroid cream.

**Skittles** · 09-26-2008, 09:31 AM

Where on your toe is it? If you're wearing running shoes or any shoe that covers your feet, that will prolong the healing process as it's always rubbing the bitten area.

Just the general foot area on me when I get bitten by a mozzie takes forever to heal up even on my ankle.

**shiney mew** · 09-26-2008, 09:37 AM

It's on the top of my toe, near the side, so I think it kinda rubs against the side of the toe next to it. And unfortunately, I have to wear shoes that cover my toes because I don't have any sandals at the moment that don't dig into my ankles... been wanting a pair all summer, but never got one, and sandal season's just about over anyway...

**javi** · 09-26-2008, 09:56 AM

the hemroid cream will take the pain away as well as take the swelling down. trust me this is coming froma doctor that hunts and gets bug bites all the time

**Breadpazoid** · 09-26-2008, 10:08 AM

I hear that meat tenderizer will do the same thing. I was told to do that when I got bit by mega-ants up in the high desert. It helped a bit. But if itching is your only problem maybe try benadryl (anti-itch) cream, though I still say you should probably pour some hydrogen peroxide over it first, just to be on the safe side.

**moomooprice** · 09-27-2008, 08:45 PM

mix windex and adofes meat tenderiser untill it forms a past put it on there and leave it. reapply as it crusts off. with in 24 to 72 hours it should be gone