Ant stings and bites can cause pain, redness, swelling, and itch. Most are mild, but some ants can trigger a large local reaction or a severe allergic reaction. In first aid, the main priority is recognising when the problem is becoming Anaphylaxis and acting quickly.
What are ant stings and bites?
Australia has many ant species. Some bite, some sting, and some do both. Reactions are often local, but repeated exposure can make some people more likely to have an allergic reaction in the future.
Some people in Australia are especially concerned about severe reactions to certain ants, such as jack jumper ants.
What symptoms can happen?
Common symptoms include:
- pain or a hot stinging feeling
- redness
- swelling
- itch
Some people may also get a larger skin reaction, including widespread swelling or Hives.
Severe symptoms can include:
- trouble breathing
- swelling of the tongue or throat
- wheeze or persistent cough
- dizziness or collapse
- becoming Unresponsive
What should you do in first aid?
If someone is stung or bitten by an ant:
- Move away from the ants so they are not stung again.
- Wash the area with soap and water.
- Use a cold pack wrapped in cloth to help reduce pain and swelling.
- Watch for spreading swelling or signs of an allergic reaction.
If the main problem is local itching or swelling, doctor- or pharmacist-recommended Antihistamines may sometimes help.
When should you get urgent help?
Call 000 if the person:
- has trouble breathing
- has swelling of the tongue or throat
- becomes dizzy or collapses
- has a known severe ant-sting allergy
- has signs of a severe Allergic Reaction
If a prescribed Adrenaline Auto-Injector is available, use it straight away for severe allergy symptoms. If you know the brand, follow the correct steps for EpiPen or Anapen.
If the person is not breathing normally, start CPR.
How is this page different from other sting pages?
This page focuses on ant stings and bites as the trigger.
- Bee and Wasp Stings covers another common Australian sting trigger
- Allergen explains the trigger term itself
- Anaphylaxis explains the severe emergency pathway
Summary
Ant stings and bites often cause local pain, itch, redness, and swelling, but some can trigger a severe allergic reaction. In first aid, move away from the ants, cool the area, watch for worsening symptoms, and treat breathing trouble, throat swelling, or collapse as an emergency.
Sources reviewed
Reviewed against Australian first aid and emergency guidance by the First Aid Glossary Editorial Team. This article is general information and does not replace emergency-operator directions, professional medical advice or hands-on first aid training.
