Allergic to Ant Bites - Anyone dealt with this?

[benjyt]

We've entered the 100 day window for our October trip - and we've just had a bit of a wrinkle thrown at us. Our 2 year old DS seems to be allergic to fire ant bites. A recent bite led to serious hives and coughing. We've been prescribed EpiPen Jr. (epinephrine) to give him if a reaction leads to breathing trouble.

Has anyone else ever dealt with this? I'm a bit concerned about it, since we live in an area where there are ants, mosquitoes, etc. everywhere - and since we'll be at WDW for a week in October.

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts.

 

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

Hi! I can't really answer your question, other than to tell you to check out the disABILITIES board here.....there is a thread about carrying an epi-pen in the parks... Hope that helps!

 

[benjyt]

Thanks for your suggestion - I'll take a look!

 

[Carolinagirl1063]

I am allergic too. But I have never had a problem at WDW. I have an Epi but I am terrified of using it. I try to keep Benadryl handy to buy me time to get to Dr. or sometimes it is enough. I like Dermoplast to spray on bites or Gold Bond Cream. If you use Off on your child it will help ward off mosquitos. Just try to be very aware of your surroundings especially for the ants since you don't usually see them until they are biting. I am allergic to bees,wasps too so be aware of them too if your DS has never been stung. Have a safe fun trip!

 

[Wickedmom75]

My ds4 is allergic to fire ant bites also, the 1st couple of times we didn't know what the heck bit him, finally figured out after looking online. Each time we took him to his Dr. they prescribed a a topical steroid (betamethasone) oral (prednisone) and told us to put benadryl cream on the spot as soon as we saw it to help reduce the reaction, he did get one 2 years ago that got so infected they had to give him a shot of anitbiotics. When ever he does get bit we definitely knwo becasue of the swelling he has gotten bitten on his ear (it was about 10 times normal size and sticking straight out from his head very strange ) and has gotten bitten on the leg but thankfully has never interferred with his breathing. Definitely check out the DisAbbilities board they have some great advice.

 

[erinch]

My DS has anaphylactic allergies to milk, nuts, eggs and peanuts and catastrophic asthma. He's now 17 and can tolerate small amounts of whey or milk cooked in a product. But when he was little even a trace of sodium caseinate would send him into anaphylaxsis. I counted it up, and he had to have epi 17 different times in his life to survive-- a few times he went into respiratory failure for no reason anyone could ever figure out.

I was terrified of giving the epi-pens as well, but have had to do it several times. He's had to have it 3 different times at school. Through it all, he'd never been stung (still hasn't) and we had no idea if he was allergic to insect stings. So he never ever was outside without an epipen at hand.

And---he's still alive.

If you have a child with allergies, or you have them yourself, get over the fear of the epipen. If you gave it and it turned out NOT to be needed, the only thing you would cause would be a temporary adrenal rush. Give it in the thigh, not the butt, and you can't screw it up. When we started with him epinephrine came in syringes. Now, with the self-powered epi-pen, you jam it against the thigh and it auto-injects. We carry 2, since one pen buys you 15 minutes of time or so.

They make a trainer which is really helpful in learning how hard you have to press to get it to inject.

 

[minkydog]

Excellent advice, Erinch! Bravo!

I have had several anaphylactoid reactions this spring, most of which were due to unknown causes. Having gotten through the worst one 2 wks ago I know I wouldn't hesitate to use my Epipen if I ever felt it coming on like that again--severe burning skin, red from head to toe, tight chest, nausea, stomach cramping,faintness,disorientation & confusion. I truly felt like I was going to die.

I try not to live in fear of these reactions, although I must say i do watch my diet and meds more closely(I have in the past reacted even to pineapple and cranberries!) Since I never know what is going to set me off i carry Epipen everywhere i go. thank God there is a product like this

Be prepared and enjoy your trip. We'll all hope for the best for you.

 

[erinch]

the first time I had to give an epi, the thing which surprised me was that I had to press a bit harder than I expected, and since my hands were shaking I had to remember to keep it there long enough. If you have to give one press firmly, you don't need to slam it, and hold it for a slow count of 10.

This is what is in our son's medical action plan, last year's version:

TO BE USED IN CASE OF ANAPHYLAXIS:
1. EPINEPHRINE BY EPIPEN. (One epipen in nurse’s office; one in Mrs. Higgie’s TA Room in top left drawer, one in Tech Ed Office desk top shelf of cabinet, one in Mr. Mean’s Science Room top left drawer. All labeled “Graham Cox-Holmes)

Symptoms to watch for: Difficulty walking or talking, chest and neck pull in dramatically with breathing, Graham seems to be choking, or lips or fingernails turn blue. May begin gastrointestinally with vomiting and severe stomach, esophageal, or “cramping” pain. May begin with hives, intense itching, sudden flushing, then paleness.
2. CALL 911 FOR TRANSPORT TO HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY; DON’T WAIT TO CONTACT PARENTS.
3. GIVE BENEDRYL TABLETS (IN MEDICAL BOX IN NURSES OFFICE)

If ambulance is unavailable: Nurse and or Administration will transport to hospital. Second epi-pen can be given after 10 minutes.

 

[luvdiz2]

Hi,

I'm a newbie around here, but wanted to add something regarding fire ants. We are from Canada, so fire ants just aren't a big problem around here . However, a couple of years ago, my ds4 woke up one morning and I noticed around 5 red bumps on his forehead. Within the hour (we were chosen to open the Magic Kingdom that morning) we were having to back out of opening the park and taking him quickly back to first aid. She suggested Benelyn (sp) as it looked like an alergic reaction of some sort.

By the next morning, he had purple welts on both of his legs and arms, his fingers, and knees and feet were swollen and his eyes almost swollen shut.

Remember when it seemed like such a good idea to skip the medical coverage - nothing ever happensss!!!!!

Had the front desk call the ambulance (free first opinion) who came rushing had to take him to the hospital. They gave him steriods for 5 days in order to fix him up.

Now I am very careful when in Florida, when we were there in January for the marathon, we were relaxing at the Poly pool and I noticed red ants near the garbage can. I spoke to the person at the bar and within 1/2 an hour, the exterminators were there spraying. So do watch, and if you see anything, let them know. I don't carry an epi pen, but dr. suggested we do, as usually each reaction will get worse.